Louis Dreyfus Company B.V.
Technical Sales Manager - Plant Proteins
Louis Dreyfus Company B.V., Livermore, California, United States, 94551
Technical Sales 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 18,000 people globally.
Job Description The Sales Manager will play a key role in driving growth within the plant protein segment by delivering innovative solutions to customers in the food and nutrition industries. The ideal candidate brings strong commercial acumen, pea proteins sales experience, excels at negotiating and closing deals, and consistently delivers on business commitments. They are naturally curious and creative, identifying new opportunities and solutions, and thrive in fast‑paced, evolving environments. This role requires a proactive, customer‑focused mindset and the ability to collaborate cross‑functionally to bring plant‑based innovations to market.
Key Responsibilities
Support Global Commercial Director in designing the US commercial strategy for plant proteins (sales objectives, growth targets, customer portfolio, account plans, commercial and marketing activities, team and capability building).
Deliver the US commercial strategy.
Act as LDC representative and point of contact for US customers across the entire buying cycle, ensuring 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.
Deliver business goals and growth targets for the defined customer 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 the entire customer buying cycle.
Manage internal relationships and network across different departments (Applications team, R&D, supply chain, finance, quality, etc.) to ensure flawless communication and customer service.
Manage pricing, contracts, sales forecasts and supply chain in collaboration with Supply Chain.
Manage the technical support and product development support for customers, in collaboration with the 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 the 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).
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.
Takes full responsibility for delivering on commitments, meeting deadlines, and achieving results with minimal supervision.
Qualifications
Five (5) or more years of experience in the food industry, as sales or business developer or technical scientist.
Experience within pea proteins sales.
Experience in R&D product development and go‑to‑market.
In‑depth knowledge in food science.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Commercial acumen and persuasive negotiation to close successfully.
Strong understanding of market dynamics, customer needs, and business drivers to make sound commercial decisions.
Advanced negotiation skills to negotiate win‑win outcomes and drive business growth.
Creatively displays a growth mindset, actively seeks new knowledge, and applies creative thinking to solve problems and identify opportunities.
Ability to work proactively with continual 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.
Adaptable and thrives in dynamic environments, quickly adjusts to change, and remains focused and effective under pressure.
Additional Information
Equipment Used: Typical office equipment – PC, printer/scanner.
Working Conditions: Domestic and international travel required up to 50% of the time.
Employee Supervision: No direct employee supervision.
Decision Making/Accountability: Creating and executing effective Plant Proteins sales strategy for North America.
What We Offer
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.
Flexible 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 We are passionate about creating fair and sustainable value. Sustainable value is at the heart of our purpose as a company, and we create value for our people, business partners, the communities we touch and the environment around us.
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Job Description The Sales Manager will play a key role in driving growth within the plant protein segment by delivering innovative solutions to customers in the food and nutrition industries. The ideal candidate brings strong commercial acumen, pea proteins sales experience, excels at negotiating and closing deals, and consistently delivers on business commitments. They are naturally curious and creative, identifying new opportunities and solutions, and thrive in fast‑paced, evolving environments. This role requires a proactive, customer‑focused mindset and the ability to collaborate cross‑functionally to bring plant‑based innovations to market.
Key Responsibilities
Support Global Commercial Director in designing the US commercial strategy for plant proteins (sales objectives, growth targets, customer portfolio, account plans, commercial and marketing activities, team and capability building).
Deliver the US commercial strategy.
Act as LDC representative and point of contact for US customers across the entire buying cycle, ensuring 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.
Deliver business goals and growth targets for the defined customer 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 the entire customer buying cycle.
Manage internal relationships and network across different departments (Applications team, R&D, supply chain, finance, quality, etc.) to ensure flawless communication and customer service.
Manage pricing, contracts, sales forecasts and supply chain in collaboration with Supply Chain.
Manage the technical support and product development support for customers, in collaboration with the 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 the 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).
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.
Takes full responsibility for delivering on commitments, meeting deadlines, and achieving results with minimal supervision.
Qualifications
Five (5) or more years of experience in the food industry, as sales or business developer or technical scientist.
Experience within pea proteins sales.
Experience in R&D product development and go‑to‑market.
In‑depth knowledge in food science.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Commercial acumen and persuasive negotiation to close successfully.
Strong understanding of market dynamics, customer needs, and business drivers to make sound commercial decisions.
Advanced negotiation skills to negotiate win‑win outcomes and drive business growth.
Creatively displays a growth mindset, actively seeks new knowledge, and applies creative thinking to solve problems and identify opportunities.
Ability to work proactively with continual 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.
Adaptable and thrives in dynamic environments, quickly adjusts to change, and remains focused and effective under pressure.
Additional Information
Equipment Used: Typical office equipment – PC, printer/scanner.
Working Conditions: Domestic and international travel required up to 50% of the time.
Employee Supervision: No direct employee supervision.
Decision Making/Accountability: Creating and executing effective Plant Proteins sales strategy for North America.
What We Offer
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.
Flexible 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 We are passionate about creating fair and sustainable value. Sustainable value is at the heart of our purpose as a company, and we create value for our people, business partners, the communities we touch and the environment around us.
#J-18808-Ljbffr