Sales Manager

Food Ingredients | B2B Sales | Business Development

Ready to take ownership of the commercial growth of an innovative food ingredients business?

For an international company specialised in functional and nutritional plant-based protein solutions
, we are looking for an entrepreneurial Sales Manager to further develop the market across Northern Europe, with a particular focus on Belgium, the Netherlands, the UK and the Nordics
.

Our client combines the agility and entrepreneurial spirit of a specialised organisation with the resources and international capabilities of a larger industrial group. You will have significant autonomy, short decision-making lines and the opportunity to directly impact commercial growth
.

The company is entering an important phase of international expansion
. As Sales Manager, you will play a key role in identifying new opportunities, opening doors with industrial food manufacturers and increasing the adoption of innovative plant-based protein solutions.

• Develop the commercial presence across Northern Europe.
• Identify, qualify and approach high-potential industrial customers, partners and distributors.
• Build and manage a strong commercial pipeline through proactive prospecting.
• Manage the full sales cycle, from initial contact and needs analysis to negotiation and closing.
• Develop long-term relationships with stakeholders across R&D, Procurement and Top Management
  .

• Understand customers’ formulations, applications and technical challenges.
• Translate customer needs into relevant commercial opportunities.
• Work closely with technical and application teams on trials, reformulations and product development projects.
• Support the successful commercial launch and adoption of new applications.

• Develop and activate the international distribution network.
• Identify and onboard new commercial partners.
• Monitor market trends, customer developments and competitive activity.
• Represent the company at relevant trade fairs, conferences and industry events.
• Share market insights to support commercial and product development.

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, preferably in Food Science, Food Technology, Business, Economics or a related field
  .
• Excellent professional command of Dutch and English
  ;
  French is a strong asset.
• Proven B2B sales experience within the food ingredients industry
  , preferably with specialty, functional or technical ingredients.
• A strong track record in Business Development and new customer acquisition
  .
• Experience selling technical products or solutions through a consultative sales approach.
• Experience managing complex, medium- to long-term sales cycles
  .
• Experience working with industrial food manufacturers and multiple stakeholders.
• Experience developing distributors and commercial partners is a strong asset.

• Entrepreneurial, autonomous and commercially driven.
• A true hunter
  , with the persistence to open new markets and build business from the ground up.
• Structured and organised, with the ability to manage complex pipelines and long sales cycles.
• Analytical and pragmatic, with a strong understanding of customer and market needs.
• A strong communicator and negotiator who builds trusted relationships at different organisational levels.
• Hands‑on and results‑oriented, with a strong sense of ownership.

This is a unique opportunity to take ownership of a growing international market and contribute directly to the next phase of a company's commercial expansion.

You will combine Business Development, technical sales and strategic market development
, working closely with customers, distributors and technical experts across Europe.

For someone who enjoys building, opening doors and creating commercial opportunities in a developing market
, this role offers significant autonomy and impact.