Sales Director Dairy Ingredients
WFA Digital Insight
As the demand for dairy ingredients continues to grow, with the global market expected to reach $45 billion by 2027, professionals with expertise in this area are in high demand. With over 50 years of experience in milk processing and dairy technology, Kinisla is a key player in the industry. This Sales Director role offers a unique opportunity to lead commercial growth and drive business development. Candidates should have a strong background in B2B sales, preferably in the dairy or nutrition markets, and excellent negotiation skills. Before applying, consider the importance of a customer-centric approach, technical knowledge, and strategic thinking in this role.
Job Description
About the Role
The Sales Director, Americas will lead commercial growth for Kinisla's Nutritional Ingredients business across the Americas. Based in New York, this role holds full commercial responsibility for managing and growing a portfolio of strategic customers, with current revenues of approximately €25M. The goal is to more than double the business over the next 3-5 years. This involves combining ownership of existing business, acceleration of new growth opportunities, senior customer relationship management, and cross-functional leadership to deliver outstanding customer service and sustainable, profitable growth.Core markets include adult, performance, and clinical nutrition, as well as mainstream food and beverage applications, leveraging Kinisla's portfolio of milk proteins, nutritional and bioactive dairy ingredients, casein, and specialty dairy powders. The role requires a deep understanding of the dairy and nutrition markets, as well as the ability to drive growth through strategic planning and execution.
As a key member of the commercial team, the Sales Director will work closely with the R&D and technical teams to drive innovation and growth. This involves identifying new business opportunities, developing strategic plans, and leading cross-functional teams to deliver results. The role requires strong leadership and communication skills, as well as the ability to build strong relationships with customers and internal stakeholders.
What You Will Do
- Own full commercial and margin responsibility for assigned strategic accounts, including budgeting, forecasting, pricing, contract negotiation, and performance tracking
- Drive growth opportunities aligned to the strategic plan and active project pipeline, coordinating closely with R&D and technical teams from concept through launch
- Serve as the primary senior point of contact for customers, building strong relationships across procurement, R&D, and manufacturing organizations
- Lead and coordinate cross-functional teams (Supply Chain, Operations, Quality, R&D, Marketing) to ensure flawless execution and high customer satisfaction
- Contribute to overall business development strategy in partnership with the Commercial VP and R&D Director
- Develop and execute account plans to achieve sales targets and expand the customer base
- Identify and pursue new business opportunities, including new product development and market expansion
- Build and maintain strong relationships with key customers and stakeholders
- Collaborate with internal teams to drive innovation and growth
- Provide market feedback and insights to inform business decisions
What We Are Looking For
- 10+ years of experience in a comparable B2B commercial role selling ingredients, with experience in dairy ingredients and nutrition markets strongly preferred
- Proven self-starter with a high level of autonomy, ownership, and initiative
- Technical, food science, or nutrition background is a strong advantage
- Demonstrated commercial acumen with excellent negotiation skills
- Ability to manage complex, cross-functional projects and drive execution
- Strong customer-centric mindset with a proactive approach to value creation
- Leadership through influence with strong communication skills
- Strategic thinker with solid operational execution capabilities
- Fluency in Spanish is a plus
- Experience with Excel and other sales and marketing tools
Nice to Have
- Experience in the food and beverage industry, with a focus on dairy and nutrition
- Knowledge of regulatory requirements and industry standards for dairy ingredients
- Familiarity with market trends and competitor activity in the dairy and nutrition markets
- Experience with sales and marketing automation tools
Benefits and Perks
- Competitive salary and bonus structure
- Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) plan with employee and company contribution opportunities
- Paid time off and holidays
- Life, disability, and accident insurance
- Tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities
- Performance-based incentive compensation
- Remote work options and flexible work arrangements
- Access to cutting-edge technology and tools
- Opportunities for career growth and advancement
- Collaborative and dynamic work environment
How to Stand Out
- Develop a strong understanding of the dairy and nutrition markets, including trends, competitors, and regulatory requirements.
- Showcase your ability to drive growth through strategic planning and execution, and highlight your experience in managing complex, cross-functional projects.
- Emphasize your customer-centric approach and ability to build strong relationships with customers and internal stakeholders.
- Be prepared to discuss your experience with sales and marketing automation tools, and how you have used data to inform business decisions.
- Consider highlighting any experience you have in the food and beverage industry, and any knowledge you have of regulatory requirements and industry standards for dairy ingredients.
- When negotiating salary, be sure to research the market rate for the role and highlight your relevant experience and skills.
- Be prepared to discuss your long-term career goals and how this role fits into your overall career aspirations.
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