Sales Manager, Dairy & Fruit Preparations (m/f/x)
Business Unit: Food & Nutrition
Location: Cologne, Hamburg, or Remote
The IMCD Group, headquartered in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, is a leading global partner for the distribution and formulation of specialty chemicals and ingredients. We are a strong, innovative business partner and solutions provider for manufacturers of consumer, industrial, and commodity goods across numerous business segments: Advanced Materials, Beauty & Personal Care, Coatings & Construction, Food & Nutrition, Home Care I&I (Industrial & Institutional), Industrial Solutions, Lubricants & Energy, and Pharmaceuticals.
In close partnership with our suppliers, we offer a comprehensive product portfolio. With over 80 application laboratories in 60 countries, we collaborate to develop formulations and provide solutions that enable our business partners to create products that have a positive impact on the world today and tomorrow. Our teams focus on commercial and operational excellence and leverage the best digital and logistical tools to open up “A World of Opportunity” for our partners.
In 2025, IMCD generated revenue of 4,779 million euros with over 5,200 employees. IMCD N.V. shares are listed on Euronext Amsterdam (symbol: IMCD) and are included in the Dutch ESG AEX Index—as one of 25 companies within the AEX and AMX indices that demonstrate best ESG practices.
In 1996, IMCD Germany—one of the first subsidiaries—opened its headquarters in Cologne. This is complemented by a strategic location in Hamburg. Across Germany, approximately 270 experts are currently working on innovative solutions to ensure the success of our business partners.
Unveiling a New Element: Element [E]
IMCD has expanded the periodic table to include a new, previously missing chemical element: Element [E]. It stands for our Employees and their Entrepreneurial mindset. They are the driving force behind our success.
The Position:
As a Sales Manager for Dairy & Fruit Preparations (m/f/x) in the Food & Nutrition Business Unit, you will be responsible for expanding our business in the Dairy & Fruit Preparations market segments in Germany. In this role, you will further develop existing customer relationships, acquire new customers, and tap into new market and application potential.
Who We’re Looking For:
We’re looking for someone with
- a strong sales focus and a passion for acquiring new customers and unlocking business potential
- an intuitive understanding of customer needs, market trends, and applications in the food industry
- a confident demeanor and the ability to build and nurture long-term relationships with customers
Your Responsibilities:
- Planning and implementing sales activities throughout Germany for the Dairy & Fruit Preparations market segments
- In-person and telephone customer support as well as technical consulting for existing customers, combined with approximately 40% travel throughout Germany
- Acquiring new customers and building strong, lasting customer relationships
- Developing and implementing sales promotion and customer retention strategies
- Negotiating with customers on prices, terms, and technical issues
- Responsibility for budget and demand planning
- Continuous market monitoring, competitive analysis, and deriving action plans
- Identifying and analyzing market trends, including tapping into promising
- opportunities in new and existing applications
- Preparing quotes, maintaining reports, and documenting information in the CRM system (Salesforce)
- Representing the company to customers, at trade shows, conferences, and events
Your Qualifications & Skills:
- A completed degree in a technical, natural science, or business discipline, ideally related to the food industry (e.g., food technology, nutrition science, business administration) or a comparable completed vocational training program
- Several years of relevant professional experience in sales and in the food and nutrition industry, particularly in the area of dairy and fruit preparations, including dairy products, milk alternatives, and fruit preparations
- Excellent communication skills, strong negotiation skills, and a strong focus on results
- A “hunter” mentality with the drive to achieve and exceed goals
- High level of commitment, an independent and structured approach to work, and a focus on solutions
- Strong team spirit and a passion for collaborating across various departments
- Proficiency with standard MS Office applications and experience using CRM systems
- Very good written and spoken German and English
- Willingness to travel regularly throughout Germany (approximately 40% of the time)
- Knowledge of the distribution business is a plus
Here’s what we offer you:
- The opportunity to work in a professional and collaborative team with flat hierarchies
- An attractive and modern workplace in the heart of Cologne, Hamburg, or a home office
- A company car (also for personal use)
- Flexible work hours with expanded opportunities for remote work
- Modern IT equipment (company cell phone and laptop)
- 38.5-hour workweek (full-time) and 30 days of vacation
- A wide range of professional development opportunities and a performance-oriented corporate culture
- Opportunities to get to know colleagues across departments (regular employee and team events)
- Capital-forming benefits and an attractive contribution to the company pension plan
- Monthly tax-free benefit in kind in the form of a €50.00 gift card or an Urban Sports Club M membership
Have we piqued your interest?
Then we’d love to get to know you!
Apply directly through our career portal with your resume and relevant academic and employment transcripts (cover letter optional).
If you have any questions about this position, please contact Jennifer Rehberg at 0221 7765 336.
IMCD Deutschland GmbH – Human Resources – Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 41-45 – 50668 Cologne – www.imcdgroup.com