A contact in our network has shared an opening for a Technical Sales and Service Specialist at a prominent firm in the food industry. This is a permanent, full-time position with a focus on providing exceptional technical sales and service support to bakery operations. This role requires extensive travel, up to 80-90% of the time. The ideal candidate will have a deep expertise in bakery formulas, ingredients, processes, and equipment, and a proven track record in B2B sales within the food industry. This is a unique opportunity for a seasoned professional to blend technical knowledge with sales strategy, ensuring customer satisfaction and driving significant business growth.

The Role: A Blend of Technical Expertise and Sales Strategy

As a Technical Sales and Service Specialist, your objective will be to act as a crucial link between the company and its bakery customers. This role is far more than just sales; it’s about providing expert-level technical support that builds strong, lasting relationships. Your core responsibility will be to provide exceptional technical sales and service support, leveraging your deep knowledge of bakery formulas, ingredients, processes, and equipment. You will be a trusted advisor to bakery operations, helping them optimize their processes and solve technical challenges.

The sales component of your role will be centered on building and maintaining strong customer relationships. You will be responsible for identifying and introducing new products to drive sales growth, a task that requires a keen understanding of both the customer’s needs and the market’s trends. You will analyze sales data to identify new opportunities and collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop effective sales strategies. Your technical expertise will be a key differentiator, as you provide hands-on support and guidance to customers, helping them understand the value and application of the company’s products.

On the service side, you will be expected to respond promptly to customer inquiries and requests. This requires a proactive mindset, as you will be responsible for identifying and addressing customer needs and concerns before they become problems. You will also provide comprehensive service reports and documentation, ensuring that all customer interactions are well-documented and transparent. Your collaboration with customer service teams will be critical to ensuring a seamless support experience for the customer, from initial contact to final resolution.

Essential Skills and Qualifications

To be successful in this highly specialized role, you must bring a significant amount of experience and a specific set of qualifications. A Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Bakery Science, or a related field is required. Additionally, an AIB Graduate or equivalent certification in baking science is a must-have. This formal education and certification are foundational to the technical expertise required for the position.

You must have a minimum of 15 years of experience in bakery manufacturing or operations management. This extensive background is what will enable you to provide the high level of technical support that the role demands. A proven track record in B2B sales, particularly within the food industry, is also a key requirement. You should be able to demonstrate your ability to build and maintain customer relationships and drive sales growth in a business-to-business context.

A strong understanding of bakery processes, ingredients, and equipment is non-negotiable. You will be expected to provide expert advice and troubleshooting on these topics. Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills are also crucial, as you will be the face of the company for many customers. The ability to travel extensively, 80-90% of the time, is a mandatory requirement for the position. This role will involve frequent travel to customer sites and exposure to bakery production environments, so you must be comfortable with a dynamic and travel-heavy work schedule.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a seasoned professional to take on a challenging and rewarding role at the intersection of technical expertise and sales strategy. If you are a motivated and experienced individual with a passion for the bakery industry, we encourage you to apply.