Technical Sales Specialist

The Technical Sales Specialist partners with the Senior Director of Commercial Development to execute sales strategies, support strategic accounts, and achieve annual sales and profitability goals. This position combines technical product and ingredient expertise with consultative selling skills to understand customer needs, communicate compelling value propositions, and advance opportunities from concept through commercialization and close. The role builds trusted relationships with customers, suppliers, and key decision makers; manages account strategies and project pipelines; supports new business initiatives; and uses CRM tools and sales metrics to prioritize activity, forecast opportunities, and deliver measurable results. Working closely with internal teams, the Technical Sales professional helps ensure excellent customer service, effective execution, and continued profitable growth. The ideal candidate is located in either IL or MN.

Position Details

• Partner closely with the Senior Director of Commercial Development on strategic accounts and high-priority opportunities.
• Technical lead on product knowledge, develop of projects, product training as needed to move projects from concept to launch.
• Maintain strong relationships with customers/suppliers and key decision makers providing product and market knowledge as it pertains to ingredients.
• Develop account strategies along with the senior commercial director designed to increase sales and profitability.
• Manage project pipeline for key accounts.
• Help develop new business initiatives from concept through execution.
• Meet with senior director of commercial development weekly to review pipeline, project status, and sales ideas.
• Work closely with H&W internal teams to ensure excellent customer service and execution.
• Participate in customer and supplier meetings, industry events, and trade shows.
• Assist in implementing sales strategy developed by Senior Director to meet annual goals.
• Meet measurable personal objectives developed around annual goals.
• Demonstrated ability to build trusted customer relationships and use a consultative selling approach to understand technical, operational, and commercial needs.
• Skilled at translating technical product and ingredient knowledge into clear customer value propositions and effective sales presentations.
• Ability to manage objections, negotiate effectively, and advance opportunities from initial discussion through commercialization and close.
• Comfortable using CRM tools and sales metrics to manage pipelines, prioritize activity, forecast opportunities, and achieve sales and profitability goals.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required, Food Science degree preferred.
• At least two years of bench work or product development in addition to account management experience, business development, or related commercial experience.
• Experience in the food, ingredient, commodity, manufacturing, or related B2B industry strongly preferred.
• Strong communication and project management skills.
• Sales skills and sales experience preferred.

Specialized Knowledge/Skills/Abilities 

• Positive and problem-solving mindset, ability to turn “issues” into “opportunities”
• Organized, detail-oriented, and able to effectively manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Verbal and written communication skills.
• An enthusiastic team player with a strong drive to create a positive work environment.
• Ability to connect with and interact effectively within all levels of the business.
• Ability to handle sensitive information and maintain the highest level of confidentiality.
• Maintains an effective level of business literacy.  Able to understand business unit operation plans and relevant sales metrics.
• Ability to gather and analyze data and present sound alternatives and recommendations.
• CRM experience, specifically Salesforce.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office, particularly proficient in Outlook and Excel.

Shift and Schedule

• Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Hours are 40-50 per week – Monday – Friday; may require additional hours periodically, including evening and weekends depending on business needs.
• Ability to travel periodically for customer visits, supplier meetings, and industry events.