Manager, Technical Sales - Distribution

Manager, Technical Sales - Distribution

Location : Chicago, US, 60654

At Barry Callebaut, we are on a journey to transform the cocoa and chocolate industry. As the world's leading manufacturer of high-quality chocolate and cocoa products, our actions truly shape the future of our industry. We are a business-to-business company, serving the entire food sector, from the cocoa bean to the finest chocolate product. We are a company with a purpose, we believe in doing well by doing good and reinvesting in the communities we operate. We have a long-standing commitment to sustainability and our goal is to shape a sustainable cocoa and chocolate future. We are headquartered in Zurich, and have more than 12,000 passionate employees working in more than 40 countries worldwide. We are very proud of who we are and what we do. And of course, we are always looking for talented people to help us have a positive impact on our industry and beyond!

Job Description

The Sales Manager, Specialties, will partner with Sales Account Managers across the organization to oversee and grow accounts in the food service distribution sector, spanning ice cream, confectionery, snacking, and baking. This role is responsible for developing and executing customer-centric strategies to drive volume growth, maximize margin performance, and expand market share for Specialty products. The Sales Manager acts as a trusted advisor, leveraging industry expertise to align customer needs with company solutions while fostering cross-functional collaboration to deliver exceptional service.

Responsibilities

Develop and manage strong relationships with key internal and customer stakeholders to build and execute account plans that drive Specialty business growth. Execute sales strategies that achieve annual volume and margin goals, ensuring alignment with company objectives. Drive business growth by identifying and nurturing a robust pipeline of opportunities within existing and new accounts. Provide support to sales team in promoting Specialties' campaigns, promotions, and product knowledge. Act as the primary point of contact for Specialties-related queries from both internal and external stakeholders, addressing concerns and ensuring clear, timely communication. Monitor and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess performance, identify trends, and drive continuous improvement. Collaborate cross-functionally to deliver customer solutions that balance innovation, service, and profitability. Represent the company at trade shows, networking events, and industry forums to enhance visibility and identify new opportunities. Contribute to strategic account planning. Leverage market insights to guide product development, pricing strategies, and go-to-market plans. Stay informed of market trends, competitive activities, and industry developments to anticipate customer needs and drive proactive solutions.

Education

Bachelor's degree in business administration, food science, marketing, or a related field.

Qualifications

3+ years of account management or business development experience, preferably in a B2B food-related industry. Proven success in managing accounts and driving revenue growth. Strong business acumen, with expertise in sales strategy, negotiation, and customer relationship management. Demonstrated success in collaborating cross-functionally to deliver strategies and solutions. Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions. Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills. Familiarity with Salesforce or similar CRM platforms is preferred. Knowledge of the chocolate or commodity markets is a plus.

Travel requirements : Available for overnight travel. Travel frequency will depend on where the candidate is based; 30-60% depending on business need.

What You Can Expect From Barry Callebaut

• Salary Range of $110,000 - $125,000, depending on factors such as experience and location, plus annual bonus and our comprehensive benefits package - PTO, Paid Holidays, Flex Days - Environment that welcomes workplace flexibility and hybrid environment

An atmosphere where diversity is embraced, and inclusivity is second nature. We call it #OneBC! Just ask our champions with the Americas Women's Forum and the Racial Equality Forum! Ability to grow personally and professionally within an organization that values development and internal career growth.

Be part of our mission in making sustainability the norm through Forever Chocolate with priorities centered around prospering farmers, zero child labor, carbon and forest positive, and creating 100% sustainable ingredients in all our products.