You have the entrepreneurial spirit of a hunter and enjoy building new markets and distribution networks across Europe. You are energized by opening doors, closing deals, and contributing to a growing family business. A Belgian family business, active in the development and production of high-quality ingredients for ice cream, bakery, and hospitality, supplies customers in over 45 countries.
There is a strong focus on developing its own brand for B2B through distributors and selectively in private label for retail, with attention to quality, innovation, and niche segments such as organic, vegan, and no added sugar. As a growing company, the organization is fully committed to further expanding European export markets.
What you will do.
- Develop the European export market outside the core markets (Belgium, Netherlands, France, and Germany).
- Be the primary commercial point of contact between the customer and the organization.
- Develop commercial activity in Europe.
- Further develop the B2B professional brand through distribution partners: support existing distributors, help them grow in various countries, and seek new distributors.
- Build key partnerships with large consumers and end-users of the brand.
- Develop strategic private label retail partners looking for added value.
- Actively prospect through various channels and independently draw up an action plan for this.
- Participate in annual trade fairs in Europe with a stand and organize business trips to visit customers.
- Follow up on incoming leads from European countries and close deals.
- Divide time between active prospecting of new distributors and retail partners (at least 50%), deepening existing customer relationships (approximately one-third), and following up on incoming leads (10 to 15%).
- Analyze and monitor sales figures and budget, and take appropriate actions.
- Strive for revenue growth in assigned countries and develop markets into new core countries with local sales support.
- Report to the Sales Director.
What they ask
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent by experience.
- At least 5 years of experience within the food sector in a B2B professional environment.
- Experience in a sales function focused on business development.
- Affinity with food.
- Fluent in Dutch and English. A third EU language is a strong asset.
- Willingness to travel at least 25% of the time.
Profile
- A true hunter who gets energy from cold prospecting and exploring new markets.
- Entrepreneurial and independent, with a proactive approach.
- A proven track record in following up on leads, negotiating, and closing deals.
- Strong understanding of the European market and thinking and acting multiculturally.
- Customer-focused and strong in communication, with a troubleshooter mentality.
- Ambition to take a career step in a growth company, possibly with the ambition to lead a team later.
- Feeling at home in an ambitious SME where freedom and space are given for own ideas.
Practical
- You will work with premium products and receive thorough product training.
- You will join a close-knit and growing sales team in a pleasant, open office environment.
- Extra-legal benefits: company car, laptop and mobile phone, 20 vacation days per year and accumulation of ADV rights, communal lunch and communal celebrations.
How to apply
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