Area Sales Manager DACH

Griffith Foods is the caring, creative product development partner helping food companies meet the evolving needs of consumers while sustaining the planet. As a family business founded in 1919 and headquartered in Alsip, Illinois USA, Griffith Foods is known for true, collaborative innovation guided by their Purpose of “We Blend Care and Creativity to Nourish the World”. The company’s product capabilities range from seasonings and marinades to coating systems and sauces that are better for people and better for the planet. For more information, visit www.griffithfoods.com.

Purpose of the Role

Drive sustainable and profitable growth across Germany/DACH within the Protein Processors, Food Manufacturers, and QSR/Food Service segments. Lead and develop a local business development team, building strategic customer relationships and translating market and consumer insights into commercial opportunities. As the commercial leader for the geographic area, the role is accountable for delivering accelerated growth across existing and new customers, optimizing volume, margin, and customer value. It ensures strong cross-functional alignment across the matrix to deliver integrated solutions leveraging the full capabilities of Griffith Foods.

This role exists to own and drive sustainable and profitable growth across Germany and the broader DACH geographic area, a strategic priority market within the company’s 2030 ambitions. The position leads and develops a high-performing commercial team. The role operates as a key member of the commercial leadership team, shaping regional strategy and driving execution in a complex, international environment.

Key Roles & Responsibilities

1. Sales execution:

• Experience of a business to business or comparable complex selling environment
• Prepare and achieve the area’s annual Sales and Opex budget which feeds into the Continental Europe Business Unit
• Ensure strategic account management for selected customers
• Build, develop and facilitate relationships at all relevant levels of key customers
• Lead the local sales team to deliver on their KPI’s 
• Ensure that Identified prospects are developed into actively buying customers
• Ensure that Innovations are commercialized at existing and prospected customers
• Secures creation and sharing of sales reports and Key Account Plans

2. Sales team development

• Proactively and visibly supports the Health and Safety standards, rules and regulations of the organization
• Drives a 3-year people plan to hire, retain and develop the local team needed to deliver the Business Units sales strategy and budget

3. Working in a Matrix organization

• Aligns the area sales strategy with the European Long-Range Plan. Aligns the annual budget with the European Annual Operating Plan
• Facilitates and drives collaboration between all commercial functions (R&D, Marketing, BD/Sales, Customer Service, Culinary) within the company
• Participates actively in European Marketing & Sales Leadership meetings to represent his/her sales area and to contribute for the benefit of the European business
• Exchange relevant information with the external & internal customers on time and in full delivering 100% customer satisfaction

Knowledge & Experience

• Master's Degree in Business, Food Science, Marketing, or a related field is required
• At least 10 years’ experience with leading a B2B sales team within the German Food Ingredients Industry, with a proven track record of leading high-performing B2B sales teams.
• Demonstrated success in driving growth in complex, multi-stakeholder environments. 
• Strong experience in strategic account management and value-based selling. 
• Experience operating within an international matrix organization.
• Fluent in English and German.
• Driving license.
• Availability to travel regularly.

Compensation

The starting base salary for this position is 100.000€ fix gross per year, plus Sales Incentive Bonus, company car and other extralegal benefits.