Technical Sales Manager, Food & Beverage Enzymes (Northern Europe)

The Technical Sales Manager at IFF is responsible for cultivating relationships with key customers, promoting IFF as the preferred supplier in the bakery sector. They will offer technical and commercial solutions, identify new market opportunities, manage pricing negotiations, and implement strategic sales plans to ensure business growth.

Candidates for the Technical Sales Manager position at IFF should have a professional background in bakery technology, with at least three years of relevant experience. They also need demonstrated project management skills, the ability to work independently and collaboratively, and fluency in English, with knowledge of Swedish or Danish being a plus.

A Technical Sales Manager at IFF contributes to the company’s growth by identifying and developing new business opportunities in the bakery industry, establishing long-term sales plans, and cultivating strong relationships with both existing and potential customers to drive revenue.

Yes, the Technical Sales Manager role at IFF is well-supported by a dedicated team, including members from Communications, Marketing, R&D, and Product Management, ensuring collaborative efforts to achieve common business objectives.

At IFF, Technical Sales Managers have access to numerous opportunities for continuous professional development, support for a balanced work-life approach, and a workplace culture that recognizes and rewards individual contributions.

In answering this question, highlight your experience in the bakery sector, particularly regarding enzymes. Discuss specific projects or customer relationships you've managed, emphasizing your results and how they align with IFF's focus on growth in the food industry.

Share techniques you've used to build rapport, such as understanding client needs, delivering tailored solutions, and following up regularly. Make sure to convey your customer-centric approach and how it aligns with IFF's values.

Come prepared with a specific example where you took ownership of a project that led to a quantifiable outcome. Focus on your role, the actions you took, and how the project contributed to business objectives, resonating with IFF's goals.

Discuss your methods for research and staying informed, such as reading industry publications, attending workshops, and engaging with networking groups. Highlight your proactive approach to incorporating these insights into your sales strategies.

Outline a plan that includes onboarding procedures, building relationships with team members and customers, and developing an understanding of current projects and key accounts. This shows your goal-oriented mindset and readiness to integrate.

Share a framework you use to address objections, such as active listening, empathy, and providing clear, factual information that addresses their concerns. Illustrate with a past experience where you turned an objection into an opportunity.

Express your passion for helping clients find solutions that benefit their business and how achieving targets motivates you. Relate this motivation back to how it aligns with IFF's mission to deliver innovative solutions.

Discuss any specific experience you have with SalesForce.Com, including how you've utilized it for tracking customer interactions and managing sales opportunities. Being familiar with this tool is a vital competency in the role.

Illustrate your time management skills and prioritization strategies, mentioning how you assess urgency and impact on business goals to determine focus. This approach showcases your organizational abilities.

Convey your admiration for IFF’s innovation and leadership in the food and fragrance industry. Share how the company’s values of diversity and inclusion resonate with you and why they are important for a productive workplace.