Sales Manager Chicago

Sales Manager - Ingredients (Nutritional & Functional)

Our client is a global ingredients supplier serving the food, beverage, and dietary supplement industries. The business specializes in nutritional ingredients, food ingredients, and functional ingredient solutions, supported by an established international supply chain and a strong focus on quality customer service.

As part of continued U.S. growth, they are seeking a Sales Manager with strong ingredients experience to expand their presence across the Midwest region.

This role is focused specifically on the sale of ingredients into food, beverage, and dietary supplement customers. The Sales Manager will manage existing ingredient accounts while developing new business, using a consultative, solution-driven approach.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and grow sales of nutritional and functional ingredients across the Midwest
• Develop new ingredient-focused customer relationships within food, beverage, and supplement markets
• Promote an ingredients portfolio using a consultative, solution-oriented sales approach
• Understand customer formulations and recommend appropriate ingredient solutions
• Build long-term relationships with key stakeholders (R&D, Purchasing, Senior Management)
• Collaborate with internal teams including product management, logistics, quality, and marketing
• Monitor ingredient market trends, competitor activity, and new application opportunities
• Maintain accurate CRM/ERP records and sales pipelines
• Attend customer visits, ingredient-focused trade shows, and industry events

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required, advanced degree a plus
• Minimum 5 years of B2B ingredients sales experience
• Background in nutritional ingredients, food ingredients, or dietary supplement ingredients
• Strong understanding of ingredient applications and customer formulation requirements
• Proven account management and new business development experience
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills
• Comfortable working independently in a growth-oriented, entrepreneurial environment

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive base salary with performance-based incentives
• Benefits package including health insurance and retirement options
• Travel expenses covered per company policy