International Sales Executive

THE COMPANY

Our client, a leading food processing company, is seeking a highly driven International Sales Executive to contribute to the vision and strategy to sell their products and build new markets. The Company is a Mission Driven organization focused on consistently achieving the highest level of customer satisfaction in the most cost effective and sustainable manner. Even though they are the World Leader in their ingredient category, they still maintain a strong entrepreneurial spirit. They operate four processing facilities, as well as transplanting, growing, and trucking operations. They employ over 500 colleagues year-round and 2,500+ seasonal colleagues and have annual revenue of over $1 billion.

THE MISSION

The mission of the Sales team is to build relationships that lead to ‘at-will’ sales opportunities. The team aims to establish connections with every potential customer and negotiate mutually sustainable agreements with select clients. The company seeks to increase its product supply penetration globally, striving to become each customer’s “Supplier of Choice” or, when appropriate, their sole supplier. Building trusting relationships with customers involves recognizing what each customer truly values and understanding their needs on an intimate level.

RESPONSABILITIES

• International Business Development. Prospecting of new accounts primarily focused on Southeast Asia and South Korea.
• Domestic Sales. Maintain and grow a select number of existing US customers
• Customer specific Business plan. Develop a customer-specific business plan which details activities designed to maintain and grow existing business
• Complete understanding of the Company and Marketplace:

• Production processes, capabilities, and economics.
• Supply chains.
• Sales processes: sales, ordering, shipping, customer services, invoicing, etc.
• Organizational structure.
• Strategic businesses, partnerships, relationships, and contracts.
• Market drivers, competitors, economies, and industry trends.

• Collaboration with other Sales Colleagues, and other Colleagues within the Company, to enhance the effectiveness of the entire organization
• Champion the culture of the company which is based on human respect for all Colleagues, trust, and accountability for results.
• Values. Enhance the brand by exhibiting the company’s values of honesty, Integrity, competency, openness and innovativeness, responsibility, efficiency, and humility as the source of their industry leadership.
• International Industry Events. Represent the company at industry events to develop new business opportunities and enhance relationships.
• Administrative duties. Update our customer database software to track sales activities, forecasting and movement analysis, and other administrative duties as required.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate will have an energetic hunter mentality.  They should be independently driven, relationship-oriented professionals that contribute a positive outlook to the company’s unique and collaborative environment.  They will be able to multitask effectively, adapt to change quickly, work well under pressure, and manage their time appropriately.  The candidate should be a strong oral and written communicator and an efficient organizer.

Knowledge and Experience

• 5+ years of international import/export experience in the food/food ingredient/agribusiness sector, not as a trader, but managing the entire sales pipeline from prospecting to contracting to delivery.
• Experience in the Asian/Pacific Rim region a plus
• Ability to travel 25-40% (international travel)
• Strong business acumen demonstrating increasing levels of responsibility
• Experience in International Broker/Distributor management
• Experience and adeptness in handling complex negotiations with all pertinent levels of an organization, from procurement teams to the C-Suite.
• Confident command of international trade terms
• Proficient in using Microsoft Office suite
• Ability to travel to Central, CA with regularity (especially the first two years)
• College degree in a related field

Principal Leadership Characteristics

• Works independently, with broadly defined work objectives.
• Strong work ethic with a passion to make a difference.
• Values collaboration and respects others
• Honest, forthright and trustworthy–not political.
• Results Oriented: Persistent in getting results, but patient.
• Driven to succeed and get things done – competitive.
• Has a bias for being decisive and taking action when called for, but balances risk and reward rationally.
• Creative – willing to challenge existing ways of doing business