My client is a leading global distribution partner and formulator of food ingredients and speciality chemicals. They are now looking to grow their commercial team with a Product Manager.
The Role
The purpose of the Product Manager role is to help manage and develop Principal Food Ingredient Suppliers both commercially and technically within the UK and Ireland that are key for the Food & Nutrition Business. Reporting to the Business Manager and closely working with other Product Managers, Account Managers, Technical Managers and the Customer Support Team.
You will be predominantly working from your home-base with travel to customers, within the food and beverage sector, and to attend Team and Industry events as required.
Your responsibilities:
* Act as relationship manager for selected Key UK Principal suppliers across food ingredients, this may be with hydrocolloids, emulsifiers, gums, starches, proteins or other technical food ingredients.
* Ensure profit margins and working capital are managed against budgetary targets
* Provide detailed technical support and training on key product lines to key internal and external stakeholders including introducing new products and applications
* Facilitate the progress of product inquiries and business opportunities with the Account Management team, and liaise directly with suppliers and customers, as required
* Analysing product sales to provide appropriate support to the sales team, in order to achieve budget targets
* Generating timely reports both for internal peers and external Principal suppliers
* Initiate and progress product campaigns and undertake market mapping in support of portfolio and business development with the sales and technical teams
* Knowledge of the competitive landscape relevant to your specific portfolio of products
* Oversee the purchasing function to ensure targets on stock turn over days and value are hit
* Work together with the Food & Nutrition Technical Team & Application Labs to support customer projects and produce new concepts for the sales team
Ideal Candidate:
* Strong commercial and technical background, ideally gained through experience working within the UK Food Ingredients, Supplements or Nutrition market.
* Technical and/or commercial experience working with Food ingredients including hydrocolloids, gums, stabilisers, starches, flavours, colours would be advantageous.
* Prior involvement of supplier management with demonstrable experience of relationship building
* Academically qualified, ideally with a degree in Food Science or another science discipline, or proven track record gained within the Food industry
* Self-motivated, disciplined, and comfortable/effective working from home
* Has a strong commercial acumen – has a high regard for accuracy and is confident navigating and presenting commercial data with the Team.
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the confidence to engage with stakeholders of all levels and backgrounds