Sales Manager – Coffee Applications

M2 Ingredients•Vista, CA

36d•Remote

About The Position

We are passionate about our mission to harness the amazing power of mushrooms for healthier lives. M2 Ingredients is the leading vertically integrated organic functional mushroom solution provider in the Western Hemisphere. We grow our portfolio of functional mushrooms indoors in our controlled, state-of-the-art facility in Vista, CA. M2 Ingredients sells its functional ingredients to global brands in the supplement, beverage and food channels. M2 Ingredients was founded in 2010 by Sandra Carter, a health and wellness expert with a PhD in preventative medicine and Steve Farrar, a mycologist with over 30 years of experience in growing mushrooms. Both founders are active in the business. Position Overview Reporting to the SVP of Sales, the Sales Manager, Coffee Applications is an integral part of the sales team and has the primary accountability for the sales growth of the M2 Ingredients brand. The primary responsibility of this role is to present M2’s transformational coffee-specific technologies, acquire new customers and continue to develop existing customers, increasing collaboration and value of business in the food and beverage space with a focus on coffee. The Sales Manager, Coffee Applications will perform duties in accordance with industry specific regulations, Global Food Safety Initiative Standards, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points Certification, Good Manufacturing Practices, Standard Operating Procedures, Quality Standards, performance expectations as well as Workplace Health and Safety Policies and Procedures.

Requirements

10+ years' experience in sales in the ingredients/beverage industry with expertise and network in the coffee segment.
Ingredient sales leadership and management of customers, and distributors in the food & beverage category.
Experience must include direct sales calls at customer headquarter locations.
Experience in entrepreneurial, high-growth environment and demonstrable track record of successfully increasing sales on technical products that require additional education and tailored sales strategy.
Effective working knowledge and familiarity with key customer policies for quality, regulatory and operations logistics requirements.
Excellent written and verbal communication, including selling and presentation skills to buyers, R&D teams and Marketing.
Proficient with Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Outstanding organizational and follow-up skills.
Team player who is results-oriented, resourceful, self-motivated, and self-reliant.
Ability to travel up to 30%.
Bachelor's degree in business or food science preferred

Responsibilities

Achieve sales plan within budget, monitor and analyze sales performance, and implement corrective actions when necessary.
Acquire and retain new Customers with a focus on the North American and, secondarily, international markets as regulatory approvals allow.
Conduct quarterly review with corrective actions to address any below plan variance.
Determine annual sales forecast and projections by Customer.
Forecast sales on a monthly basis by SKU and by Customer.
Plan and implement sales contracts, business terms, and pricing to optimize financial return to the Company.
Collaborate with Scientific Affairs, Marketing, Production, Customer Service & Logistics, Warehouse, Finance & Accounting co-workers in the development and execution of the annual Sales Plan. Keep them informed of Customer plans and performance.
Attend industry trade shows and conferences in collaboration with the Marketing and Scientific Affairs team.
Maintain active working knowledge and familiarity with industry sales data, such as SPINS. Source ingredient sales data on market growth.
Maintain thorough understanding of category, channel, customer, and competitive environment. Share insights and implications with senior management and co-workers. Implement pro-active actions when necessary to gain an advantage and address potential risks.

Benefits

Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
Health & Dependent Care FSA
Company-Paid Life and AD&D Insurance
Company-Paid Long-Term Disability
Voluntary Life Insurance Options
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Paid Time Off (PTO)
Paid Company Holidays
Paid Sick Time
Paid Parental Leave (supplemented to 100% of base wages through EDD + company top-up)
401(k) Plan with 3% Safe Harbor Employer Contribution