Sales Manager/Account Manager - Plant Proteins

Louis Dreyfus Company is a leading merchant and processor of agricultural goods. Our activities span the entire value chain from farm to fork, across a broad range of business lines, we leverage our global reach and extensive asset network to serve our customers and consumers around the world. Structured as a matrix organization of six geographical regions and ten platforms, Louis Dreyfus Company is active in over 100 countries and employs approximately 15,000 people globally.

LDC officially launched a plant proteins business in March 2022, with the inauguration of a brand new RnD Center in Livermore, California. Our vision is to offer customers a multi-purpose portfolio of unique plant-based proteins ingredients and application solutions. We aim at building fully owned production capabilities, as well as partnering with industry leaders, to build the best offer for our customers. As a first step, we entered the market with a range of non-GMO soy and pea protein isolates, with an initial focus on North America.

Key Objectives of the position

• Support Global Commercial Director in the design of US commercial strategy for the plant proteins business (Definition of sales objectives and business goals, growth targets, customer portfolio, strategy accounts plan, commercial activities, marketing activities, team and LDC capability building)
• Own and deliver the US commercial strategy
• Be LDC representative and point of contact for US customers across their entire buying cycle, ensuring a first-class service and a positive customer experience with all LDC functions
• Represent LDC for US customers requiring technical support, in close collaboration with the applications team

Key tasks and activities

• Deliver business goals and growth targets for the defined customers portfolio, through managing existing business, developing new customers and customer projects, with differentiated and innovative products and creating new cross-selling opportunities
• Conduct sales and account development activities including on-site visits and technical support to achieve pipeline, revenue goals and objectives
• Nurture customer relationships, ensuring a positive customer experience across all LDC functions, across entire customer buying cycle
• Manage internal relationships and network across different departments (Applications team, RnD team, supply chain, finance, quality etc.) to ensure flawless communication and customer service
• Manage pricing, contracts and sales forecasts and supply chain in collaboration with Supply Chain and Finance team
• Manage the technical support and product development support for customers, in collaboration with applications team, according to customer brief, for the formulation of a wide range of food & beverage and sports nutrition products using plant proteins, plant based functional and texturizing specialty solutions
• Work with applications team to analyze customer processes and formulations, provide recommendations on ingredient selection and/or process adjustments for cost savings, quality improvements and identify new product innovation opportunities to drive business growth in target accounts
• Support technical teams in conducting trials related to customer projects (prototyping, development or fine tuning of recipes / process developments in the presence of customers or not, prototyping).
• Network with customers, industry players and partners and build relationships within the food industry, including visits at LDC facilities, participation in conferences and industry events
• Record and share relevant customer activities and project updates via regular reporting and using knowledge management and CRM tools

• Bachelor’s degree
• 5-10 years of experience in the food industry
• Experience in plant proteins
• Knowledgeable in food science
• Prior experience in technical sales
• Experience in R&D product development and go-to-market
• Ability to travel across North America

Required skills:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Commercial Acumen
• Persuasive i.e. negotiates to close successfully
• Takes responsibility to deliver on commitments
• Curious, creative, agile
• Works proactively to continually drive for results
• Anticipate customer needs and proactively create new solutions that exceed customer expectations
• Challenge the status quo by offering ideas to make things better, faster and with value creation in mind

#LI-Hybrid

What We Offer

We provide a dynamic and stimulating international environment, which will stretch and develop your abilities and channel your skills and expertise with outstanding career development opportunities in one of the largest and most solid private companies in the world.

- Comprehensive benefits program including medical, dental and vision care coverage, flexible spending account plans, employee assistance program, life insurance and disability coverage
- 401k with Company Match
- Family Friendly Benefits including childbirth and parental leave, fertility and family building benefits
- Paid Time Off (PTO) and Paid Holidays
- Hybrid work available (not applicable to all roles)

Diversity & Inclusion

LDC is driven by a set of shared values and high ethical standards, with diversity and inclusion being part of our DNA. LDC is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity, equity and inclusion.

LDC encourages diversity, supports local communities and environmental initiatives. We encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.

Equal employment opportunity (EEO)

Louis Dreyfus Company provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Sustainability

Sustainable value is at the heart of our purpose as a company.

We are passionate about creating fair and sustainable value, both for our business and for other value chain stakeholders: our people, our business partners, the communities we touch and the environment around us