Job Description Talent Depot is partnering with a valued client in the food industry to find a highly skilled Sales Specialist - Food Packaging. We are seeking a
Sales Specialist with expertise in
Food Packaging to join our team. The ideal candidate will have a broad understanding of packaging applications for various food products, including meat and cheese, and will bring experience with a range of packaging formats to meet the unique needs of our clients. You'll play a key role in developing territory strategy, expanding client relationships, and collaborating with Equipment Specialists to promote sales of consumable products alongside equipment sales. Key Responsibilities:
- Territory Development: Design and implement a strategic territory development plan in collaboration with field management to increase market share and drive sales of food packaging solutions.
- Customer Solutions: Provide tailored packaging options to meet customer needs across a range of food packaging applications, including:
- Barrier shrink bags
- Thermoforming films (flexible and semi-rigid)
- VFFS (Vertical Form Fill Seal) & HFFS (Horizontal Form Fill Seal) films
- Lidding films
- Rigid packaging (including barrier and non-barrier trays, cups)
- Stand-up pouches and various pre-made bags/pouches in multiple formats
- Miscellaneous primary packaging materials, such as papers, folding cartons, labels, and EPS trays
- Collaboration with Equipment Specialists: Work closely with Equipment Specialists to enhance consumable sales in conjunction with equipment sales, ensuring that customers have access to comprehensive packaging solutions.
- Supplier Management: Build and maintain relationships with suppliers to support local territory needs and SupplyOne standards. Provide support in supplier alignment, especially for Private Marketplace Program (PMP) opportunities.
- Training and Support: Train and educate the sales team and internal staff on food packaging products, processes, equipment, suppliers, and food processing environments.
- Cross-functional Support: Partner with local merchandisers and purchasing agents to identify and align suppliers, reinforcing packaging solutions and achieving strategic sales objectives.
- Industry Representation: Attend regional and national association meetings to stay current on industry trends and reinforce the company's presence within the food packaging market.
- Experience:
- Extensive background in food packaging applications, especially for products like meat and cheese, with exposure to various packaging formats.
- Preferred experience working with a broad-line distributor (e.g., Veritiv, Unisource, Xpedx) or regional/local independents.
- Technical Knowledge:
- Expertise in food packaging solutions, including barrier shrink bags, thermoforming films, lidding films, and rigid/flexible packaging.
- Territory Strategy & Development:
- Ability to craft and execute a strategic growth plan for the assigned territory.
- Supplier Relations:
- Skilled in managing supplier relationships to support territory needs and company standards.
- Training Abilities:
- Excellent communication skills to train sales teams and support cross-functional efforts within the organization.
Requirements
- Experience:
- 10+ years of experience in food packaging, ideally with a strong background in flexible packaging applications.
- Proven ability to serve as the specialist between sales teams and customers, facilitating effective communication and solution development.
- Technical Knowledge:
- Expertise in various packaging formats such as barrier shrink bags, thermoforming films, and rigid/flexible packaging.
- Interpersonal Skills:
- Strong communication skills to work effectively with cross-functional teams and external partners.
- Excellent problem-solving and decision-making abilities to address challenges and optimize packaging solutions for clients.
- Strategic Thinking:
- Capability to develop and implement a territory development strategy that aligns with organizational goals.
Additional Skills:
- Deep understanding of food processing environments and packaging standards.
- Ability to manage multiple projects, balance priorities, and work under tight deadlines.
- Skilled in building supplier relationships and maintaining a collaborative environment.
- Strong organizational skills to balance multiple projects and meet sales goals.
- Ability to work collaboratively with equipment and sales teams to optimize client solutions.
Benefits
Competitive Salary: We offer competitive compensation that reflects your skills and experience