Now Hiring - Blue Diamond Growers - Sales Director, Ingredients in Sacramento, CA

Full description of the position

Work Shift: Day Pay Type: Salary Hourly Rate (if applicable): N/A Targeted Base Salary Range (if applicable): $126,900.00 - $164,700.00 JOB OVERVIEW: The Sales Director- Strategic Accounts, will play an important role within the Global Ingredients Sales Team. The objective of this will be to drive profitable growth and market penetration across Strategic Accounts with an initial focus on growing new business in the alternative dairy space, and to take on larger Strategic Accounts selling the whole portfolio offered by Blue Diamond. The position will work closely with the Lead Sales Director to develop account strategies and how to "win" with customers in this segment and learn the fundamentals of the almond market needed to support long term account goals. This position will be responsible for building the customer intimacy approach by leveraging our applied almond expertise in a 3-pack account team with Marketing and Business Development to create value and increase margins across current business while driving insight into the development of new almond solutions for these customers. This role will be accountable for the sale and distribution of almond ingredients including butter, and other ingredient systems to drive growth in emerging segments including non-dairy and beverage. This role includes cultivating new businesses in various geographies. To be successful in this role one will need to demonstrate strong business acumen, negotiation and communication skills, customer savvy, organizational and analytical agility, and collaboration with cross functional partners and alignment with Blue Diamond's values to maximize success across this business segment. RESPONSIBILITIES: ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS * Development of an annual customer sales plan for the assigned account base in partnership with Strategic Accounts Segment Sales Lead, consistent with the goals and objectives of the business strategic plan. * Establish strategic relationships with the target customers' companies' product development, innovation, and marketing teams. * Ensure progress is on track to performance metrics for customers in assigned account base and understand impact to overall GIM/commodity performance. * Understanding of the fundamentals of industry supply and demand drivers, market dynamics, and competitive set, to position pricing/value with customers. * Accountable for detailed and accurate monthly forecasting to planning team to ensure peak reliability. * Collaborate with Strategic Marketing to: * Understand how to best leverage BDG unique capabilities to drive accretive value in customer relationships which leads to increased margin for BDG. * Work in a 3-pack account team to leverage each functional expertise to communicate & create value. * Develop deep customer insights and understanding to develop almond ingredient solutions/recommendations to advance customer's strategy and in return drive incremental volume and margin for GID. * Understand the technical and commercial reasons to believe required to articulate the benefits to the customers. * Create a robust opportunity pipeline within defined growth areas and nurture them through the sale cycle to execution. * Utilize robust account and call planning efforts to maximize sales conversion and enhance margins. * Prospect and nurture growth opportunities through communications, programs, and other activities within defined areas of growth. * Communicate deep customer's insights - organization structure, business strategies, culture, relations - with Blue Diamond colleagues to ensure knowledge transfer to continually increase our customer intimacy. * Negotiate pricing, terms, and delivery within company guidelines to maximize sales margins and long-term profitability. * Support special projects/assignments as needed across channels to advance non-dairy sales. * Develop and present a business case to advance ideas forward. * Provide specialist support and expertise to work with manufacturing plants in cross-functional teams on an as-needed basis, to assist with troubleshooting, complaint resolution, process optimization etc. for customers. * Highly motivated, self-starter, with a willingness to take ownership in the development of a brand-new role and customer base within new categories. * Will consider remote option MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS * Bachelor's Degree * 10 years of experience within food ingredient and/or commodity sales experience or related roles * Strong interpersonal and written/oral communication skills. Ability to influence others in sales transactions and negotiations. * Ability to work and collaborate in a team environment to ensure optimal sales results. * Required to travel for extended periods up to 50% PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES * MBA or Graduate Degree * Sales experience selling food ingredients to food manufacturers, food ingredient distributors, co-manufacturers and co-packers. * Experience using CRM Software & Formalized Sales Process * Business Development Experience * Proven leadership skills with the ability to manage complex situations to a positive resolution. * Exceptional business acumen, including an understanding of global markets, financial and commercial models. * Analytically minded with an eye for process improvement. * Clear written and oral communication skills, ability to effectively articulate complex issues across all levels of an organization. * Ability to engage stakeholders build trust and collaborate cross-functionally * Bilingual English/Spanish SUPERVISORY REQUIREMENTS * N/A PHYSICAL DEMANDS While performing the duties of this job, employees are regularly required to sit, walk, and stand; talk or hear, both in person and by telephone; use their hands repetitively to finger, handle, feel, or operate standard office equipment; and reach with hands and arms. WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this class. Employees work under typical office conditions, and the noise level is usually quiet Blue Diamond Growers is an Equal Opportunity and E-Verify Employer EOE/Minorities/Females/Vet/Disability WHY BLUE DIAMOND? In addition to working at the world's largest, state-of-the-art almond manufacturer, we offer a safe and collaborative team environment, with numerous opportunities for free training and career advancement. Check out the BDG Benefits, Health & Wellness Guide HERE . Grow your career. Partner with us. We Are the Almond People! Ready to get started? Apply now! Blue Diamond Growers (BDG) is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. BDG provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, color, age, religion, protected veteran or disability status, or genetic information. BDG also complies with all provisions of the U.S. Government's Executive Order 11246 dated September 24, 1965 and the rules, regulations and relevant orders of the Secretary of Labor.