Homeoffice Sales Manager (Food and Beverage) presso Om Mushroom Superfood

M2 Ingredients

Sales Manager – Food & Beverage

About the Company

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, Food & Beverage 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 acquire new customers and continue to develop existing customers, increasing collaboration and value of business in the food and beverage space.

The Sales Manager, Food & Beverage 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.

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.

Qualifications

• 10+ years' experience in sales in the ingredients/food & beverage industry.
• 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

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Opportunities for professional development and career growth.
• A dynamic and inclusive work environment.
• 401K Match

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

This full-time role will receive a competitive salary + benefits, including medical, dental, vision, PTO, 401k match.  This position's anticipated annual pay range is $165,000 plus a 20% bonus.  Various factors are considered when determining an individual's compensation–including a candidate’s professional background, education, certifications, experience, professional licenses, and location.  Final offer amounts may vary from the amounts listed. We neither ask for nor consider the salary history of applicants.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

LOCATION

M2 Ingredients is located in Vista, CA (about 35 miles north of San Diego and 60 south of Orange County). Local candidates are preferred, however, this position can be remote depending on the candidate. Travel is expected 30% of the time.