Recruitment specialists for the Fresh Produce, Food, Agriculture, Viticulture & FMCG Industries.

Trading Executive – Food Service Wholesale We need an energetic and talented Trading Executive to join a leading (National) Food Service Wholesaler. They predominantly serve the ‘Out Of Home’ (OOH) Market, having a share of this £40bn sector – so plenty of scope! The Trading Team cover 11 categories with around 6k SKU’s. The objective of the Trading Executive is to have ownership of the full product life cycle within designated categories to achieve range and financial targets while aligning to the business needs and customer demand. Liaise with Marketing to ensure Trading strategy dovetails with Channel and Consumer insight.  

• Manage Suppliers and Customers:

• • Build and maintain relationships with suppliers and customers to ensure effective communication and collaboration.
  • Negotiate terms, pricing, and contracts with suppliers and internal Sales Teams to optimize value and profitability.
  • Address any issues or concerns raised by suppliers or Sales Team in a timely and professional manner.

• Category Management:

• • Develop and implement category strategies to drive growth and profitability.
  • Analyse market trends and consumer insights to identify opportunities for product assortment optimization.
  • Monitor category performance and make recommendations for assortment changes and promotional activities.
  • Price management, Range Reviews, Competitor Analysis, Market updates, Commodity Tracking and reporting.

• Source New Product Lines:

• • Research and identify new product opportunities to enhance the product portfolio.
  • Source new suppliers and products that align with market trends and customer preferences.
  • Evaluate potential suppliers based on quality, cost, and reliability to ensure alignment with company standards.

• Own the Category:

• • Take ownership of specific product categories and drive initiatives to maximize sales and profitability. In this case more than likely the Ambient Food category.
  • Develop a deep understanding of customer needs and preferences within the category.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to execute category plans and achieve business objectives.

• Product Life Cycle Management:

• • Manage the entire product life cycle from introduction to discontinuation.
  • Monitor product performance and make recommendations for product improvements or discontinuations.
  • Develop strategies for product launches, promotions, and end-of-life management.

• Attend Trade Shows and Other Industry Events:

• • Represent the company at trade shows, conferences, and industry events to network with suppliers and customers.
  • Stay informed about industry trends, innovations, and best practices.
  • Identify opportunities for partnerships, collaborations, and business development.

• Food Safety:

• • Ensure compliance with food safety regulations and standards.
  • Work closely with suppliers to maintain quality and safety standards throughout the supply chain.
  • Implement food safety protocols and procedures to minimize risks and ensure product integrity.

• Legal Regulation Requirements:

• • Stay up to date with relevant legal regulations and compliance requirements.
  • Ensure that all products and operations adhere to applicable laws and regulations.
  • Collaborate with legal and compliance teams to address any regulatory issues or concerns.

  Key attributes / Experience:                      Ability to work efficiently and manage time productively. Able to prioritise work / goals and meet deadlines. A high level of numercy. An understanding of the key metrics that impact Commercial Revenues. Experience in managing multiple internal and external stakeholders. Experience in delivering presentations. Excellent communications, interpersonal and relationship skills. Proficient in MS Office, particularly Excel.   Desirable Experience: FMCG product knowledge, gained within one of the OOH Channels Experience managing the Product Lifecycle; List, Launch, Review, De-List Experience working as part of a Team within an office environment.   How to Apply: Please submit your CV and a note detailing your experience in a Trading or Sourcing role in FMCG Ambient or Frozen products. business development achievements, and how your skills align with the role. Send a CV to frank@fmkconsulting.co or call + 44(0)7734 861 080.

National Account Manager - Reusable Packaging Containers for Fresh Produce Company Overview: Join a leading global company committed to sustainability and environmental responsibility. The company specialises in providing reusable packaging solutions for the fresh produce industry, with a strong emphasis on reducing carbon footprint, increasing freshness, and promoting green practices throughout the supply chain. Job Description: As a National Account Manager, you will play a key role in driving sales and fostering relationships within the fresh produce industry. Your primary responsibility will be to manage and grow accounts across various sectors including Growers, selected Retail, Food manufacturers/processors, Importers/packers, box delivery companies, Vertical Farms and foodservice providers.   Key Responsibilities:

1. Develop and execute strategic account plans to drive sales growth and achieve revenue targets within your territory.
2. Build and maintain strong relationships with key decision-makers and stakeholders within assigned accounts.
3. Identify and pursue new business opportunities within the fresh produce market, leveraging the company's sustainable packaging solutions.
4. Collaborate with cross-functional teams including marketing, operations, and product development to support customer needs and drive innovation.
5. Provide expert guidance and support to customers on the benefits of reusable packaging containers in reducing environmental impact and increasing product freshness.
6. Conduct regular business reviews with accounts to assess performance, address concerns, and identify areas for growth.
7. Stay informed about industry trends, market dynamics, and competitive landscape to inform business strategies and initiatives.
8. Represent the company at industry events, trade shows, and conferences to promote the brand and solutions.

    Key Skills  

• Proven track record of success in B2B sales, preferably within the fresh produce or packaging industry. Desirable 2 years min.
• Strong understanding of sustainability principles and commitment to environmental stewardship.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to think strategically and drive results in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Willingness to travel within the assigned territory.
• Experience working with global or multinational companies is a plus.
• Fluency in written and spoken English is essential.
• An organised self-starter with the ability to work autonomously.
• Team player.

    You:

• Driven, ambitious, motivated, people person, refined interpersonal skills, focussed, organised, enthusiastic, energised……..
• GCSE Maths and English A* to C grade A Levels. Degree or similar vocational qualification desirable.
• Competency in all Microsoft applications
• Ideally experience with Sales Force.
• Presentation skills

    Benefits:

• Competitive salary with performance bonus incentives.
• Company car.
• Comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, generous company pension contribution, life assurance and more.
• Work from Home (WFH). This is a Field Sales opportunity.
• Opportunities for career advancement and professional development within a global organization committed to sustainability and innovation.

    How to Apply: Please submit your CV and a note detailing your experience in Field Sales in Fresh produce or the Packaging industry, business development achievements, and how your skills align with the role Send a CV to frank@fmkconsulting.co or call + 44(0)7734 861 080

   

Field Sales Executive – Food Service This is a Food Service company, keeping things extraordinary and fresh. Based in Cambridge, they are a leading supplier of fresh produce to hotel groups, catering companies, restaurant groups, pubs, and private schools across Hertfordshire, Essex, Northants, Suffolk, and London. They pride themselves on sourcing high-quality produce directly from local farms or imported depending on the season and ensuring prompt delivery to long standing customers. Our client is now in a wonderful position of continuing to expand their customer base and are seeking a minimum of two dynamic and results-driven Field Sales Executives to join their team. Job Summary: As a Field Sales Executive specializing in fresh produce, your primary responsibility will be to drive sales growth within your assigned territory. You will be responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with existing customers while also identifying and acquiring new business opportunities. The ideal candidate will have a passion for food / fresh produce, excellent communication skills, and a proven track record of achieving sales targets. Key Responsibilities:

1. Develop and execute a strategic sales plan to achieve sales targets and expand the customer base within the designated territory.
2. Identify and prospect potential customers within the hotel groups, catering, prominent pubs, and private school’s sectors.
3. Build and maintain strong, long-lasting customer relationships through regular communication and excellent customer service.
4. Understand customer needs and preferences and recommend appropriate products to meet their requirements.
5. Coordinate with internal teams to ensure timely and accurate order fulfilment and delivery.
6. Stay informed about market trends, competitor activities, and industry developments to identify opportunities for growth.
7. Prepare and present sales proposals, quotations, and contracts to prospective customers.
8. Collaborate with marketing teams to develop promotional materials and campaigns to support sales initiatives.
9. Attend industry events, trade shows, and networking functions to promote the company's products and services.
10. Provide timely and accurate sales reports, forecasts, and market feedback to management.

Qualifications:

• Proven track record of success in a field sales role, preferably within the fresh produce or foodservice industry.
• Catering / Chef experience would be interesting.
• Strong negotiation and persuasion skills with the ability to close deals effectively.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Self-motivated with a proactive approach to sales and business development.
• Ability to work independently and manage time efficiently.
• Knowledge of the local market and customer base within the designated territory is preferred.
• Valid driver's license.

This position offers a competitive salary, commission structure , and benefits package, car allowance, mobile, laptop, along with opportunities for career advancement within this growing organization. If you are passionate about fresh produce and possess the drive to succeed in a fast-paced sales environment, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity. Give Frank a call 07734 861 080 or email : Frank@FMKconsulting.co  (just '.co')