Sales Director Bakery Ingredients Industry greater Western Europe (F/M)

Bunge (www.bunge.com<https: www.bunge.com="">, NYSE: BG) is a world leader in sourcing, processing and supplying oil seed and grain products and ingredients. Founded in 1818, Bunge's expansive network feeds and fuels a growing world, creating sustainable products and opportunities for more than 70,000 farmers and the consumers they serve in over 60 countries. The company is headquartered in New York and has 31,000 employees worldwide who stand behind more than 360 port terminals, oilseed processing plants, grain silos, and food and ingredient production and packaging facilities around the world.

Be at the heart of innovation in the artisinal and industrial bakery industry

Manufacturing excellent bakery products is challenging. Product value cycles are getting shorter and health trends are evolving faster than ever. This ever-changing market demands a quick response if our customers in both artisianal as industrial baking want to win fast and smart.

Within Bunge Loders Croklaan (BLC) we dedicate our expertise to understand and identify our customers needs and collaborate with our channel to help them to choose the right fat / margerine to balance market demands with product innovation. In order to help our partners and customers, we are constantly innovative in our own approach and go to market strategy. In the role of Sales Director Bakery Ingredients Industry for the greater Western Europe region, together with your dedicated team of about 23 sales specialists, you’ll be at the heart of this innovation!

The role

In this role you’ll be responsible to plan, implement and execute Bunge Loders Croklaan channel sales strategy for the German and broader European business. In an ever changing market an entrepreneurial spirit is inevitable for both you and your team to foster change and drive commercial excellence. You are able to set priorities, motivate and challenge the team to maximize sales results in a customer centric manner. With this in mind you set challenging but realistic annual targets. You’ll inspire the team on a day to day basis to identify business development opportunities in upcoming markets and join forces towards a successful offering towards our existing customers and channel partners. You are hands on in supporting the team in simple and complex customer challenges and you drive the development of efficient (digital) processes to help your team win.

You and your team are dedicated to understand customers, partners and new prospects needs, following market trends to find the right solution to secure long term deals and partnerships.
 

Responsibilities

• Financial performance: Achieve sales channel budget
• Understand category-specific landscapes and trends
• Fill innovation pipeline with opportunities and ensure realization
• Develop plans to acquire new customers or clients through direct sales techniques
• Represent the channel in relevant customer meetings, events and trainings
• Assists and directs the sales team (20 Sales Managers, 2 key account Managers and an export manager) with energy and motivation through a hands-on/modern transparent management style
• Manage and develop a professional and understanding partnership with our European wide distributors and artisanal/industrial customers
• Work together with the Global Project Manager on a digitalization strategy
• Talent Management: Developing & coaching the team

Experience & Education

• A Bachelor’s degree is required, Master’s preferred.
• Demonstrable experinece in a sales leadership role
• 7+ years of experience in field sales force, key account management and project management experience, preferably in the artisanal and industrial bakery/ food processing required.
• Stakeholder management within a Matrix organization.
• Previous exposure to P&L management is required
• Well-connected in the German bakery business
   

Knowledge & Skills

• Fluency in English and German is a must. Other West European languages are a plus
• Leadership: Besides your direct reports, you have the ability to foster teamwork and lead and inspire cross regional and multi-functional teams towards concrete results
• Strong communication/presentation skills; ability to be open and articulate complex matters/issues in a clear and concise manner
• Ability to think at both strategic and operational level
• Creative, innovative and entrepreneurial mindset to identify/explore alternatives
• Capacity to manage various projects and programs with tight deadlines
• Good knowledge of commercial, operational, supply chain and innovation areas

What we offer

A key role in an organization with 24,000 colleagues around the world, who are dedicated to improving the global Agri-Food value chain, one day at a time. Together, we bring food from where it’s produced to where it’s needed. We do this in an informal culture where an entrepreneurial mindset is valued. Since we cover the full supply chain, a broad variety of challenges and development opportunities can support your long term career at Bunge. We value and stimulate development through training, education and experience and offer effective/accredited tools and resources to support you in your journey.

Interested? We’re looking forward to your application and motivation via the apply button!
In case of questions, please reach out to Marinke van Stekelenburg (Talent Acquisition Lead at marinke.vanstekelenburg@bunge.com).

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Bunge is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or military or veteran status, or any other legally protected status.  Bunge is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled