Job Title: Head of Sales / Business Development
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Contract Type: Permanent, Full-Time
About the Role
The Head of Sales / Business Development is a senior leadership position responsible for the overall strategic direction and execution of our sales function. As a member of the leadership team, this role is crucial to our ambitious plan to double sales within the next four years. The successful candidate will be a key driver of this growth, managing and mentoring a team of two direct reports: a Customer Relations Manager and a Sales Manager. You will be accountable for executing sales plans that significantly increase revenue from our high-potential customer segment while nurturing strong relationships with our loyal customer base. A deep understanding of our product portfolio, which is 65% in-house blended solutions and 35% commodity wholesaling, is crucial for success.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Sales Leadership:
Develop and implement a comprehensive sales strategy to achieve aggressive growth targets, with a primary focus on our strategic accounts.
Take ownership of the sales growth trajectory and ensure all departmental efforts are aligned with the four-year expansion plan.
Analyze market trends, competitor activities, and sales data to inform strategic decisions and identify new opportunities for our blended solutions.
Work closely with the CEO to set budgets, forecasts, and long-term strategic goals.
Team Management & Mentoring:
Lead, mentor, and manage the sales team, providing strategic guidance to the Sales Manager and the Customer Relations Manager.
Conduct regular performance reviews and provide continuous feedback to foster a high-performing sales culture.
Ensure team members are equipped with the skills and resources needed to meet and exceed their targets.
Develop a resource and development plan in line with the ambitions of the company to develop and retail skills within the sales function.
Customer Portfolio Management:
Manage and develop a number of key accounts, driving revenue and strengthening strategic relationships.
Oversee the sales manager, who is responsible for their own portfolio of accounts, and ensure they are driving growth within their segment.
Collaborate with the Customer Relations Manager, who is incentivized to reactivate dormant accounts (no purchase in 12 months), manages the customer order process and some smaller customers.
Ensure a high level of customer satisfaction across all segments.
Leadership Team & Cross-Functional Collaboration:
Act as a key voice in leadership team meetings, contributing to overall company strategy and decision-making.
Work collaboratively with other department heads (e.g., operations, finance) to ensure seamless execution of sales initiatives.
Business Development:
Direct the company's business development initiatives, with a focus on expanding the market for our high-margin, in-house blended solutions.
Lead high-level negotiations and secure major new contracts that contribute significantly to the company's growth.
Represent the company at industry events and trade shows to build brand recognition and generate leads.
Candidate Profile
Proven track record in a senior sales role, preferably within the food ingredients or B2B manufacturing sector.
Demonstrated ability to inspire and motivate a sales team to achieve ambitious growth targets, acting as a “player-coach”.
Entrepreneurial drive driven by a positive attitude and a desire to foster a high performance culture.
Strategic mindset with a strong ability to execute plans and drive results.
Highly skilled in persuasion and influence, particularly in cross functional communication.
Excellent negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Proven expertise in strategic relationship building.
Experience managing a diverse customer base and a strong understanding of both transactional and relationship-based sales models.
A bachelor's degree in Food Science, or a related field is highly desirable.
For more information, please apply through the link provided for the attention of Stephen Merrigan or email your CV to stephen.merrigan@osborne.ie
If you are interested in finding out more about the above role and would like to be considered other suitable roles that we may have available for your skill set – please attach your CV via the link provided
Please submit your updated CV in Word Format
If you are living in Ireland and hold a valid work permit, we would love to hear from you, if however, you do not hold a valid work permit unfortunately we will not be in a position to assist you with your job search.
Osborne are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Please visit www.osborne.ie for more information on all of our roles.
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