Fancy a job as Sales Manager Mediterranean ?

We are looking for a Sales Manager for Italy, Greece, Cyprus and Malta, working from our Zonnebeke office (headquarters). 
This role puts you in charge of managing a small team and generating sales for our products in the markets/countries assigned to you. You are responsible for achieving planned targets in terms of volume, net sales, margin and for introducing new products and identify new sales opportunities. You are the face of Poppies Bakeries – a role you fulfill with pride.
You manage an existing customer portfolio valued at €8 million and are expected to engage in active prospecting in the region to identify suitable business partners in each country. 
You receive guidance and support from the Sales & Marketing Director.

• Managing customers in the area assigned to you and building a solid relationship with them, with the goal of increasing our sales.
• Actively searching for new business opportunities and new partnerships, with the goal to increasemarket penetration and market share. 
• Managing the profitability of our business in your sales area, in alignment with corporate objectives, by conducting yearly price negotiations.
• Devising an annual forecast/budget and sales plan with targets for the different markets. 
• Introducing innovations from the R&D team to your team members and to the customers, and obtaining new product launches.
• Gathering comprehensive information on the quality and sales of our own products as well as those of the competition. 
• Providing suggestions and advice for modifying products, adapting our range and changing the packaging, to respond to changes in the market as quickly and efficiently as possible. 
• Co-organizing traditional fairs, and potentially suggesting new fairs that could be interesting to participate in. 
• Working closely together with the customer service team and other internal teams to provide the best possible service to our customers.
• Keeping track of current legislation in the relevant countries with regards to import and quality obligations, trade tariffs, the political situation, fluctuating exchange rates, etc. 
• Leading and managing a small team.

• An academic background (marketing / commercial communication/business administration / applied economics, etc.) or similar knowledge obtained through experience.
• Five years of work experience in sales and marketing, preferably in a food-related environment.
• A commercial mindset and eagerness to travel (up to 25% of the time).
• Experience in organizing/leading / coordinating commercial projects and managing a team.
• Knowledge of and an affinity with the international food market.
• An affinity with Mediterranean countries.
• You can easily converse and write in Dutch, English and Italian.
• A thorough knowledge of MS Office.

Lore Bocket, Sales Assistant