We are seeking candidates for the role of Human Nutrition Technical Sales/ Senior Project Coordinator for our client's divisional headquarters in Geneva, IL. 

Our client is a European-based manufacturer and producer of specialty food ingredients and derivatives from plant material.

This position will be instrumental in developing sales projects that result in significant sales of higher margin products for the Human Nutrition Business Unit.  A primary focus of this position will be on providing pre-sale and post-sale technical support and business development for the target market of Human Nutrition.

Successful candidates must demonstrate a willingness to listen, consult, and build trust-based relationships to ensure our client's customers and partners are satisfied, leading the way to sustainable and profitable market segment business for their North American business unit.  This will be a salaried exempt position based in our client's Customer Solution Center in Geneva, IL and reporting to a member of the Sales Management team at their corporate headquarters.  Extensive travel will be required (40-50% is probable, and at times higher).

Candidates who have

(1) worked in a business-to-business industry and have demonstrated technical sales and development experience

(2) a successful track record of providing customer solutions within their target industry, and

(3) bring extensive contacts from the Food Science/Food Technology and Human Nutrition industries, will be strongly preferred.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Gather and analyze customer needs and interests.

• Identify new opportunities for existing and new products/services.

• Develop sustainable solutions to customer's and partner's challenges.

• Provide customers and sales team members with clear and easy to understand information about our uniquely differentiated product innovations, solutions, and services.

• Communicate our client's commitment to and passion for developing innovative solutions for the industries we serve.

• Communicate openly with internal staff in Human Nutrition to convey a timely understanding of customer needs and feedback on market trends.

• Develop and lead projects with targeted customers within the Human Nutrition market by serving as the liaison between our client's Sales, Marketing and Application teams to rapidly grow revenue through both direct and primarily indirect sales.

• Facilitate the development and implementation of our client's next generation products and innovative solutions.

• Provide technical leadership for one or more specific areas of expertise within the Human Nutrition Business Unit by providing timely and effective technical support to the entire commercial sales team.

• Create and attain strategic long-term, mid-term and short-term sales targets with specific project objectives.

• Develop technical documentation and sales tools for the Business Unit's products and markets.

• Develop and lead educational training and prepare and present public presentations to build industry excitement for our client's solutions.

• For a few selected accounts, negotiate, develop and follow up on bid packages to ensure potential customers and partners have enough information to make informed decisions about our client's complete offerings.

• Other typical tasks such as budgeting, forecasting, and limited administrative duties associated with the effective implementation of the Sales Division's strategy.

QUALIFICATIONS INCLUDE:

• BS degree in food science, chemistry or chemical engineering or related field

• MS degree in food science, chemistry or chemical engineering or related field, or equivalent experience desired

• 2-4 years hands-on technical experience required

• Prefer 3 years experience in outside technical sales, preferably to a diverse customer base within the target market

• Prefer 3-7 years experience in the Food and Beverage industry

• Demonstrated strong understanding of general Human Nutrition markets required

• Demonstrated knowledge in formulation and solution-providing knowledge required

• Experience with direct territory sales, key account management and/or negotiations preferred

• Demonstrated ability to develop strategic projects, with strategic program execution and planning skills preferred

• Demonstrated ability to learn, assimilate and apply complex technical information quickly

• Demonstrated ability to work with minimal supervision

• Demonstrated passion and skill sets for effective customer development and problem-solving activities

• Excellent oral and written communication skills

• Strong organizational, time management and multitasking skills

• Proficient with computer software programs including MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook & PowerPoint)

• Rich industry contacts preferred

The duties, responsibilities, and requirements identified by this posting should not be interpreted as all-inclusive.  Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by management as deemed appropriate.