Ingredion is seeking a Sales Representative for East Africa to manage and grow a customer portfolio and regional strategy. This role involves high-touch technical consultancy, pipeline management, and distribution support to deliver value-added solutions in the food and beverage industry.
Key Responsibilities
Account Management & Business Growth: Manage and grow assigned customer portfolio and region to meet set business goals and strategy.
Pipeline Management: Create, manage, and deliver opportunity pipeline in-line with business growth expectations, initiating and delivering growth projects with existing and new customers to ensure profitable conclusion.
Solution Selling & Differentiated Customer Experience: Deliver a high-touch technical consultancy experience to new and existing customers to differentiate from competition, providing efficient project management with counterparts in the development team to maximize return on investments and create value-added customer-tailored solutions.
Sales Planning & Forecasting: Full ownership of bottom-up sales planning process including forecasting by developing a market growth strategy for respective categories and region and delivering against sales targets to manage top and bottom-line contribution of new and existing customers.
Price & Contract Management: Price and contract management to ensure maximum return using value-based pricing strategies whilst securing the business sustainably.
Distribution Management: Support the development of an effective Distribution network and support day-to-day interaction with Sales Network Partners, regional distributors, and Agents on strategic projects and key initiatives to unlock growth potential in the region.
Communication with Customers: Continuously develop and broaden the stakeholder network at customers to drive business development along the customer buying cycle and a positive customer experience across relevant functions and seniority levels.
Internal Stakeholder Engagement: Develop effective working relationships with Technical Service, Marketing, Supply Chain, and Finance to lead or support efforts in project development, supply planning, and debtor management.
Data Management: Comply with best practices and company standards for Customer Relationship Management (CRM) data management and reporting.
Marketing Support: Partner with the Marketing function for regional activities including fairs, seminars, tradeshows, and innovation days.
Requirements and Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in food science/technology or a related technical field.
Demonstrated experience in a customer-facing Value Selling, Technical Service, or Sales role.
Technical understanding of functional food ingredients, their interaction, food manufacturing processes, and food recipe design.
Proven track record in negotiation skills and stakeholder management capabilities.
Ability to deliver technical solutions across multiple countries and channels.
Strong project pipeline management skills.
Availability to travel up to 50% across East and West Africa.
Personal Attributes
Agile Networker: A natural connector who embraces change and leverages networking to uncover opportunities.
Technical & Market Expert: A business-savvy professional with deep technical acumen and a market-driven mindset.
Client Growth Champion: A proactive relationship builder who expands client accounts through strategic engagement.
Persuasive Communicator: An influential advisor who delivers compelling value propositions.
Deal Navigator: A skilled negotiator who manages complex procurement processes and deals.
Benefits of Joining
Competitive total rewards package and performance-based pay.
Comprehensive health, wellness, and long-term savings benefits.
Flexible work arrangements.
Career growth, learning, and training opportunities.
Employee recognition and referral programs.
Global Meeting-Free Fridays (Once a Month).
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should apply online through the Ingredion career portal on Workday. Use the following link to access the application page: Apply via Ingredion Careers. Ensure you complete the profile and upload any necessary documentation.