Our client is leading the advancement of Controlled Environment Agriculture producing local, low carbon, fresh produce alternatives to offset imports, cut food miles and offer customers and consumers a healthier and superior product. They have proved their business model very successfully in Europe and are now set to expand to the Eastern Seaboard of the United states.
Starting initially in Virginia, they are in dialogue with the leading global fresh produce growers, project managers and designers with plans to break earth on their first major site later year. As such, and as part of their business planning, they are now seeking a leading Commercial and Sales Director to join with them and lead their full commerciality of their unique US based business.
You will be responsible for sourcing, developing, managing and maintaining a portfolio of key customer relationships, identifying business opportunities, negotiating and closing sales contracts and maintaining an extensive knowledge of market conditions, trends and competitor activity. A highly competitive salary and benefits package comes with this new and exciting role.
What Do We Want To See From You:
- Ideally an Undergraduate Degree in Sales and Marketing or similar.
- A minimum of 10 years’ experience in sales within the Fast Moving and Consumer Good sector showing demonstrable success as a Senior Business Leader and deep knowledge of Business-to-Consumers and Business-to-Business tastes and requirements.
- Experience of working with senior teams to develop and execute sales strategies for newly formed and mid-sized businesses.
- Deep understanding of the North American fresh produce sector including sourcing models and routes to market.
- Management of time sensitive perishable produce from source of production/packing to customers and consumers.
- Superior verbal and communications skills with an emphasis on tact and diplomacy and a proven track record of relationship building.
- Experience in sales and marketing analytics.
- Leadership of a sales and commercial team.
- Proven mentor and developer of teams.
- Experience of challenging the status quo.
We Would Also Be Very Keen to See:
- Accredited membership of professional bodies/associations in North America.
- Buying experience in the US Fresh Produce grocery and fresh produce sector.
- Experience in working with a newly formed business with aspirations to disrupt the market.
- Knowledge of brand development.
- Experience of Project Management and delivery of time sensitive metrics.
- Understanding of social media and e-commerce.
- Management of a budget.
- Passion for meeting Climate Change targets and delivering environmental benefits.
Personal Characteristics:
- A team player who enjoys a challenging, ever changing, dynamic workplace.
- Mentally agile, adaptable and an ability to adapt quickly and decisively.
- A natural collaborator.
- Robust and humble.
- Willing to question and status-quo and champion change.
Interested?!
To find out more about this hugely career enhancing role with a business that is looking to be very positively disruptive, please apply via this website. To find out more, contact Max MacGillivray quoting Ref: 05458M on + 44(0) 1284 715055
