Account Manager - Food

**1\. Sales & Business Development** * Develop and execute sales strategies and business plans to drive growth within the assigned food industry segments, including key accounts, distributors, manufacturers, and OEM customers. * Achieve assigned sales targets in revenue, sales volume, profitability, and gross margin. * Identify, develop, and maintain a healthy sales pipeline through proactive business development activities and market expansion initiatives. * Explore and penetrate new market opportunities and applications within the food industry, including bakery, dairy, beverages, confectionery, processed food, and functional ingredients sectors. * Conduct regular market visits, customer presentations, and business reviews to strengthen market presence and customer engagement. * Lead commercial discussions including pricing negotiations, contract terms, and business proposals while ensuring sustainable profitability. * Work closely with internal stakeholders to implement effective pricing, promotional, and product positioning strategies. * Monitor sales performance against targets and implement corrective actions and recovery plans where necessary. * Participate in trade exhibitions, industry events, seminars, and networking activities to promote company products and strengthen industry relationships. * Continuously identify opportunities for cross-selling, up-selling, and strategic account growth. **2.  Key Account & Customer Management** * Build, strengthen, and maintain long-term business relationships with customers and strategic accounts within the food industry. * Conduct regular customer visits to understand customer operations, business challenges, and technical requirements. * Provide suitable product recommendations, value-added solutions, and application support aligned with customer needs. * Manage customer inquiries, feedback, complaints, and service-related matters professionally and in a timely manner. * Collaborate closely with Product Managers, Technical teams, and Head of Department (HOD) in managing strategic and high-value accounts. * Ensure high levels of customer satisfaction, retention, and loyalty through consistent service excellence. * Prepare and deliver business reviews, proposals, product presentations, and commercial updates to customers. * Maintain accurate customer records, account plans, pricing structures, and sales activities within the CRM or reporting systems. * Support customers in product trials, application testing, and commercialization activities where applicable. **3.**  **Market Intelligence & Strategy** * Monitor industry trends, competitor activities, customer developments, and emerging market opportunities within the food industry. * Conduct market research and gather customer insights to support business growth and product development initiatives * Identify new applications, market segments, and growth areas to expand the company’s market share. * Provide timely market feedback and commercial insights to management for strategic decision-making. * Analyse sales data, market trends, and customer performance to drive strategic business actions and forecasting accuracy. * Support annual business planning, budgeting, and forecasting exercises. * Stay updated on industry regulations, food safety standards, and market developments relevant to the business. **3.**  **Internal Collaboration & Reporting** * Collaborate closely with Sales, Marketing, Technical, Regulatory, Customer Service, and Supply Chain teams to ensure seamless business operations and effective customer support. * Coordinate internally to ensure timely delivery, inventory availability, and resolution of operational issues. * Prepare accurate sales forecasts, pipeline updates, market reports, and monthly business performance reports. * Ensure compliance with company policies, business ethics, quality standards, and regulatory requirements. * Maintain proper documentation of customer activities, quotations, contracts, and sales records. * Support internal projects, product launches, and continuous improvement initiatives as assigned by management. * Participate actively in sales meetings, training programs, and company initiatives. * Assist and participate in the company’s annual stock-taking exercise when required**.** **JOB REQUIREMENTS** **Education** * Bachelor Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Nutrition, Chemistry, Biotechnology, Life Sciences, Agriculture, or related disciplines. * Candidates with relevant commercial experience in the food ingredients or food manufacturing industry may also be considered.​ * Additional certifications or professional training in sales, business development, food applications, or technical food-related fields will be an added advantage ​ **Experience** * Minimum 3–5 years of sales, key account management, or business development experience within the food ingredients, food manufacturing, FMCG, or related industries. * Experience managing customers such as food manufacturers, distributors, OEMs, processors, or industrial food accounts is preferred. * Experience in handling technical or solution-based sales will be an added advantage. **Knowledge and skills** * Strong knowledge of the food industry, including applications in bakery, dairy, beverages, processed food, confectionery, or functional ingredients. * Good understanding of food ingredients, additives, formulations, and product applications. * Strong commercial acumen with the ability to identify business opportunities and translate customer needs into practical business solutions. * Excellent account management and relationship-building skills. * Strong negotiation, influencing, presentation, and problem-solving abilities. * Ability to analyze market trends, sales data, and customer insights to support strategic decisions. * Proficiency in consultative and solution-based selling approaches. * Strong communication and stakeholder management skills across all organizational levels. * Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams. * Good organizational, planning, and reporting skills with attention to detail. **Other requirements** * Willingness to travel regularly within the assigned territory and for customer visits. * Possess a valid driving license. * Good command of English and local language(s), both written and spoken. * Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.