DO YOU HAVE THE APPETITE TO GROW YOUR MAGIC?
Consumers everywhere are increasingly conscious of the quality of the food they eat. Puratos develops, produces, and distributes a unique range of ingredients for bakers, pastry-chefs and chocolatiers who demand the very highest quality.
Founded in Belgium in 1919, From humble beginnings to worldwide success, join us on our journey and discover our history and heritage.
We’ve evolved from a father-and-son start-up in Belgium, to a global group with more than 9000 employees, 93 innovation centers, and more than 65 manufacturing operations across 81 countries to date. It’s with great pride that we look back on this century of hard work, courage, and innovation. Thank you for making it all possible and let’s continue building the next 100 years of shared success!
Our passion for innovation, pioneering spirit, and core value our communities, is what makes working at Puratos so magical.
POSITION OVERVIEW
Based at Gauteng Branch to further strengthen our local Sales team, we are currently seeking a:
KEY ACCOUNTS MANAGER – LARGE ACCOUNTS – (Gauteng Branch, South Africa)
Reporting directly to the Business Development Director, the successful candidate for this key function will be responsible for:
- The definition and implementation of the strategy for the assigned customers.
- Manage all technical sales activities related to assigned customers in order to develop sales direct to Industry/ Semi-Industry and Food service as well as triangular and reach the profitability objectives.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
Technical Sales Management:
- Develop projects with current & potential customers and follow up by using CRM.
- Manage responsible accounts by maintaining regular customer contact, provide pre and after-sales support and ensure that all customer inquiries are promptly respond to by being main coordinator internally and externally.
- Regularly analyse sales data to ensure that budget of responsible accounts is met and aligned with all BU and strategic objectives.
- Working with IBDT and BDT to develop the new business by using CRM as a key tool.
- Provide monthly sales forecasts for assigned channel to sales team, customer service and supply chain.
- Develop strong relationships with the assigned customers.
- Continuously promoting products and services offered by the company.
- Organize with Marketing, R&D, Operations and TA, customer demonstrations, seminars and meetings, such as Customer Innovation Day to ensure execution of the planned commercial activities for the assigned accounts.
- Application specialist & Trouble shooting on customer line
- Run project prototype together with R&D
- Knowing the basics ingredients and range to be able to assist the customer in case of issues on the line
Market Intelligence:
- Create and update the customer data base
- Create and update competitors’ information.
- Be up to date with the latest developments in Industry & QSR – in general.
Strategic Planning:
- Co-develop and implement the channel strategy with Business Development Director.
- Formalize for the long term in a Long-Range Plan and for the short term in the yearly Sales Plan in order to achieve the channel objectives in direct and triangular sales.
- Develop with the Key Account Managers a yearly Key Account Plan for the selected Key Accounts and Key Development accounts
- Assist Business Development Director in the development of the yearly Budget and LRP
Tools & Techniques:
- Implement the necessary tools and techniques in order to work efficiently and professionally. Examples; Sales Process, SANCOC, CRM, Channel and Account Profitability measurement,
- Develop a BDT Management approach – in close collaboration with R&D, Marketing and Customer Service and Key Account Management mindset. Make sure structure is in place, training is given and projects are set up with selected KA/KDA. Monitor progress and results and be present at progress discussions with customers.
- Keep an open eye for new tools and techniques and implement in order to continuously improve our performance
PROFILE
- Post Matric Qualification (Bachelor/ master’s degree) in Business Admin, Food Science and Technology or equivalent.
- Must also be a qualified Baker.
- Languages: English is a prerequisite.
- Min 10 years of experience in related field with proven track record.
- Proven previous Key Account Manager experience.
- Field sales, Trade marketing or consumer marketing experience is a plus.
- Able to work independently and entrepreneurship.
- Good sales and negotiation skills
- Business & result driven
- Computer literacy: Office computer (Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, Word)
- Other expertise: Business & result driven, presentation skill, strong interpersonal skills establish easily contacts, team player.
REQUIRED COMPETENCIES
- Collaborating effectively: spontaneously helps team members, networking, sharing info/results.
- Communicating effectively: actively listening, provides clear explanations that are easy to follow, communicate orally and in writing.
- Driving performances: attention to detail, results-driven, planning & prioritising, solving problems, work under minimal supervision.
- Improving continuously: adapts flexibly to changes, open to learn from feedback.
- Managing customer needs: high level of customer service skills, understanding customer environment, builds and maintains relationship with customers, implement most suitable solutions that meet customer expectations.
Offer
Puratos provides a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment that encourages our people to take initiatives and bring ideas that will contribute to the success of the company. Of course, Puratos offers a competitive package (salary, and market related benefits) but additionally, offers you a position that you can further develop and shape.
Interested persons who meet the requirements may apply at
Closing Date: 31 August 2026
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