Area Manager Gourmet

About the role

We are looking for a dedicated Area Manager to establish and develop our business in North West Italy.

We believe our ideal candidate has a great knowledge and experience in the Bapa and Distributors field and a strong capability to identify and capture business opportunities and deliver excellent results.

This role will be responsible for sales forecasting and business development for the business field. You will also be responsible for ensuring that the department goals for booking gross margin and volume are achieved.

As our Area Manager, you will create and implement appropriate sales strategies for the Bakery & pastry and Distributors business segment. You will evaluate and establish contacts with potential buyers in this segment, you coordinate the assigned sales network and take care of the achievement of business objectives.

You will be located in North West Italy, you will carry out constant visits throughout the territory entrusted in order to know and carry out the necessary consultations for all entrusted customers.

You will report to our Sales Director Distributions and Artisans the opportunities and problems encountered.

You will be in direct contact with the company management.

Key responsibilities include

● Execute and have your team execute sales activities on the accounts to achieve the sales budget and goals within the sales territory in order to achieve the commercial goals.

● Propose sales improvements and new ways to approach actual and potential customers in the sales territory.

● Support and advise customers on product innovations and developments.

● Drive contractual negotiations with target accounts.

● Ensure that knowledge and know-how in the area of ​​expertise are constantly updated and relevant.

● Communicate actively and frequently with the sales team, the Sales Manager Italy, assigned sales agents and cross-functional departments within the organization about objectives, customers and product availability.

● Develop and maintain relationships with new and existing customers and ensure professional customer relationship management (CRM).

● Validate the accuracy and adequacy of the data used and ensure the relevance and high quality of the output data, eg. reports, analysis.

● Actively transfer market / customer information and feedback to executives, colleagues and other relevant departments.

● Actively increase one's professional knowledge and skills and ensure an understanding of BC's global organization.

● Respect internal rules and commercial legislation in the negotiation and conclusion of contracts with customers.

About you 

• Bachelor/Master degree in Economics, Finance or food technology
• At least 3-5 years of sales experience, preferably in a Bapa pastry shop, Distributors and structures organized for the sale of pastry products.
• Track significant success business development record for key accounts, sales resource management
• Business understanding and market knowledge of the B2B food industry
• Knowledge of MSOffice, Sales Force and SAP software applications is a plus.
• You are a native Italian and speak English (level B2)
• A deep interest in business, creating results and developing yourself
• Ambitious, eager to bring new ideas to the table, result driven and dare to take responsibility
• Good communication and stakeholder management skills
• Entrepreneurial spirit, driven and always willing to go the extra mile, an active listener with good communication & influencing skills. You are also a relationship builder
• Resilient & stress resistant and above all, someone who is passionate about chocolate and beverage products.
• An ambassador of the Barry Callebaut values: Customer Focus, Passion, Entrepreneurship, Team Spirit and Integrity