Job Description

Job Overview:

We are seeking a skilled and motivated Technical Sales Specialist to join our dynamic team at Briess. This multifaceted role combines technical expertise with customer-facing sales support, providing critical resources for both internal teams and external customers. The Technical Sales Specialist will serve as a subject matter expert (SME) for our product portfolio, offering guidance on product applications, troubleshooting customer challenges, and driving strategic growth opportunities.

This position requires a strong background in food science or related fields, excellent communication skills, and a passion for solving technical problems in the food and beverage industry. The ideal candidate will thrive in a collaborative environment, excel at building customer relationships, and contribute to innovation and product development.

Key Responsibilities:

Technical Expertise & Customer Support (25%)

• Serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the company’s product portfolio, including standard product lines, finished product properties, applications, and plant capabilities.
• Provide technical guidance and recommendations to customers on product use in applications, ensuring alignment with their needs and goals.
• Collaborate with customers to troubleshoot technical challenges, resolve complaints, and develop effective solutions, including on-site visits when necessary.
• Gather and relay detailed technical information from customers for product matching, complaint resolution, and new product development projects.

Sales & Business Development (30%)

• Identify areas of potential growth in product offerings and business expansion to meet customer needs and align with company goals.
• Partner with marketing and sales leadership to develop and execute strategic initiatives that drive innovation, new product development, and market expansion.
• Act as a key member of the technical team to support sales efforts, including participating in product demonstrations, customer training, and technical consultations.
• Travel to conventions, trade shows, technical conferences, and customer locations to represent the company, promote products, and strengthen relationships.

Product Applications & Innovation (30%)

• Conduct food and beverage applications work in kitchen and laboratory settings, creating prototypes to support sales, marketing, and product/market development efforts. This work would be in many end use markets – bakery, snacks, sauces, beverages, frozen dessert, meals, seasonings, etc.
• Identify and collaborate with external partners for product application projects, maintaining relationships and leading joint initiatives.
• Gather samples and technical data from customers to support product matching, new product development, and innovation projects.
• Contribute to the development of new products by providing technical insights and collaborating with internal R&D and technical teams.

Content Creation & Training (15%)

• Develop and deliver original technical content (e.g., presentations, white papers, case studies) to support product marketing, customer education, and internal training.
• Create marketing content for internal and external publication, working closely with the marketing team to ensure accuracy and alignment with brand messaging.
• Provide training on product applications, characteristics, use, and handling to customers and internal staff using a variety of media (e.g., in-person, virtual, written guides).

Food Safety & Compliance

• Adhere to all government and company safety, sanitation, and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) policies and regulations.
• Ensure compliance with SQF (Safe Quality Food), Food Safety, and Food Quality standards in all activities.

Qualifications:

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Biology, Chemistry, or a related scientific field.
• 2-5 years of experience in a customer-facing technical role within the food or beverage industry.
• Work history in a food manufacturing environment, with experience in targeted areas such as confectionery, bakery, pet food, or RTE (ready-to-eat) cereal highly desirable.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint) for technical documentation, presentations, and data analysis.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong technical knowledge of food ingredients, product applications, and manufacturing processes.
• Excellent problem-solving skills with the ability to troubleshoot customer challenges and provide actionable solutions.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
• Proven ability to build and maintain strong customer relationships, with a customer-centric mindset.
• Strategic thinker with experience identifying growth opportunities and contributing to business development initiatives.
• Collaborative team player with the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams, including R&D, sales, marketing, and technical staff.
• Comfortable working in both office and laboratory/kitchen environments, with a hands-on approach to product applications.

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

• Ability to travel up to 50% of the time, including overnight travel, to represent the company at trade shows, technical conferences, and customer locations.
• Comfortable working in a hybrid environment, with time split between the Chilton office, remote work, and travel.
• Ability to perform hands-on work in kitchen and laboratory settings, including lifting and handling equipment as needed.

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