Regional Sales Manager Northern Europe - M/F

A global leader in the field of microorganisms and fermentation, Lesaffre designs, produces and provides innovative solutions for a wide variety of industries, including baking, food taste & pleasure, well-being & health, and biotechnology.

A family-owned group, born in the north of France in 1853, now multi-local and multicultural, Lesaffre is committed to working together to better nourish and protect the planet.

Close to its clients and partners, Lesaffre employs more than 10,000 collaborators spread across more than 50 countries.

Fermentis, a business unit of the Lesaffre Group, is responsible for the development, marketing and commercialization of innovative products, solutions and services for the following markets:

- Traditional fermented beverages (beer, wine, cider, spirits, etc.)

- Specialty beverages (Kombucha, Kefir, etc.)

- Soft drinks and dairy beverages

- Raw materials such as: coffee, cocoa, tea, etc.

Its range of products and services covers almost all professional requirements: from performance, through production safeguarding, to the expression of sensory characteristics.

Fermentis builds solutions and results on its talented experts, its visionary R&D program, its industrial expertise meeting the highest international quality standards, and a strong and consistent marketing and communication strategy.

Its mission? To become the obvious choice for brewers, winemakers, cider makers, distillers; and all other beverage producers, by helping them express their creativity and inventiveness.

Your mission

Reporting to the European Region of Fermentis Business Unit, you will be responsible for the sales development of yeasts and yeast derivatives for your markets (Dutch-speaking Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland), for the production of beer, wine, cider, spirits and fermented drinks, and will thus contribute to the development of business.

In this context, you will:

• Achieve target sales in volume and revenue, according to budget.
• Visit distributors and direct or indirect accounts (regional industrials, craft….), target potential new customers, developing strong relationships with customers.
• Manage and challenge your distributors to follow the account and to identify new business opportunities. Identify and manage new potential distributors/sub-distributors,
• Develop sales with key prospects (distributors’ indirect clients, direct clients, new distributors and/or sub-distributors if needed…).
• Develop your industrial regional clients in line with the Global Key Account Sales Director and Area Sales Manager (ASM).
• Deliver sales and technical presentations to customers.
• Negotiate and prepare sales offers in accordance with the guidelines of the ASM.
• Provide technical support to direct customers and distributors or seek assistance from Technical Sales Support Manager (TSSM)
• Work in close collaboration with Marketing & Communication department to deliver marketing support to customers.
• Take an active role in the promotion of products through technical publications, paper and poster presentations, seminars, and participation at international and national trade shows, conferences and seminars.

As the main point of contact of the customer, relay with customer service to ensure customer satisfaction from order to delivery, invoicing and payment.

Qualifications/ Skills

Master’s degree in food science or equivalent + good knowledge of fermented beverages process.
With an initial experience of 3-5 years in sales, production, technical environment ideally in B to B and with international connections.
Mother language: Dutch. Fluent in English. Office 365.

Behavioral skills:
Pragmatic and able to think out of the box, reactive, curious, creative and open-minded. Good listening to the market and customers. Negotiation skills. Project management skills. Able to maintain good commercial relationships in different cultural contexts. Team spirit. Challenge and business oriented.

Ideally based in Belgium with remote working and frequent presence at Fermentis Campus in Lille – France

Company Car. Frequent travels are required (50% of full time estimated)

If you're a salesperson with a passion for the world of fermented beverages, join our dynamic and innovative business unit now !

This position is open to people with disabilities.