SALES EXECUTIVE (EASTERN REGION) at Kent in Muscatine, IA

Are you passionate about building relationships, uncovering new opportunities, and helping customers succeed? Grain Processing Corporation (GPC), a KENT WORLDWIDE™ company, is looking for a driven, customer-focused Sales Executive to play a key role in expanding our market presence and driving growth within the Milling Segment of our Specialty Ingredients Sales. This position will be responsible for managing and growing customer accounts throughout the Eastern region of the United States, developing strategic partnerships with flour mills, grain processors, and ingredient manufacturers. You'll serve as a trusted advisor to customers, leveraging your industry knowledge and technical expertise to deliver innovative ingredient solutions that create value and drive business results.

As a key member of our commercial team, you'll identify and pursue new business opportunities, expand existing accounts, and collaborate with cross-functional partners across Operations, R&D, Technical Services, Supply Chain, Marketing, and Finance to bring customer-focused solutions to market. This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated sales professional who thrives on building lasting relationships, influencing business growth, and staying at the forefront of industry trends. If you're energized by solving customer challenges, developing strategic partnerships, and making a tangible impact in a growing market, we'd love to hear from you.

• Candidates are ideally located within the Eastern United States territory or within reasonable proximity to a major airport hub to support efficient customer travel and territory coverage

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop, manage, and grow business relationships with existing and prospective customers within the milling industry, including flour mills, grain processors, and value-added ingredient manufacturers.
• Drive efforts to identify, develop, and close new business opportunities that support growth objectives within the milling segment.
• Develop strategic account plans for key customers and prospects, identifying opportunities to expand product offerings, volume, and profitability.
• Market and sell GPC Specialty Ingredients products by leveraging technical expertise, customer insights, and industry knowledge to deliver value-added solutions.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to customers by providing technical support, application guidance, product recommendations, and problem-solving assistance related to milling and ingredient applications.
• Monitor and report on customer activities, competitor actions, emerging technologies, industry developments, market trends, and potential acquisition or partnership opportunities.
• Utilize and maintain the Company's CRM system to effectively manage leads, opportunities, sales activities, forecasts, customer interactions, and account plans.
• Collaborate closely with Operations, Supply Chain, Procurement, R&D, Technical Services, Quality, Marketing, and Finance to ensure successful execution of customer projects and business initiatives.
• Lead the identification and evaluation of new product opportunities and innovative solutions that support growth within the milling market.
• Develop and implement effective sales, marketing, and promotional strategies to increase market penetration and customer engagement.
• Maintain active involvement in relevant milling, grain processing, and food industry trade associations, conferences, and industry events to strengthen relationships and identify emerging opportunities.
• Develop and maintain a high level of product, technical, market, and competitive knowledge to effectively position GPC solutions.
• Prepare and deliver customer presentations, business reviews, pricing proposals, and strategic recommendations to internal and external stakeholders.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

The above statements cover what are generally believed to be the principal and essential functions of this job. Specific circumstances may allow or require some people assigned to the job to perform a somewhat different combination of duties.

Education, Experience, and Required Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, agriculture, business, milling science, grain science, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of B2B sales, business development, technical sales, or account management experience within food ingredients, grain processing, milling, or related industries.
• Experience developing and executing strategic account growth plans and closing new business opportunities.
• Experience utilizing CRM systems, sales forecasting tools, and pipeline management processes.
• Strong understanding of milling operations, grain-based ingredients, food manufacturing, or ingredient applications preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain high-value customer relationships at multiple organizational levels.
• Action-oriented and results-driven with a proven track record of achieving sales and profitability objectives.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, negotiation, and influencing skills.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to analyze market trends, identify opportunities, and solve complex business challenges.
• Commitment to continuous learning, professional development, and industry engagement.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

• Travel is varied but required (50%+), as needed to successfully conduct the affairs of the position. Travel may include day trips and overnight travel for customer visits, prospecting activities, business meetings, training sessions, industry conferences, trade shows, and association events throughout the assigned territory.