Sales Manager Process Technology (Dairy)

Sales & Business Development

• Achieve annual sales, order intake, revenue, and gross margin targets.
• Identify, develop, and convert new business opportunities within assigned markets.
• Generate and maintain a strong pipeline of projects and sales opportunities.
• Promote GEA process solutions and technologies to new and existing customers.
• Develop long-term strategic relationships with key customers and stakeholders.
• Lead commercial discussions and negotiations to secure profitable business.
• Execute sales plans in line with regional and divisional growth objectives.
• Increase market share through proactive business development activities.

Solution Selling & Proposal Management

• Analyze customer requirements and develop technical-commercial solutions.
• Coordinate proposal preparation with engineering, project management, and divisional teams.
• Prepare quotations, cost calculations, budgets, and commercial offers.
• Monitor offer progress and drive conversion from quotation to order.
• Negotiate contract terms and conditions while ensuring compliance with company policies.

Customer Relationship Management

• Build trusted partnerships with customers at operational and executive levels.
• Conduct regular customer visits and business reviews.
• Manage customer expectations and ensure high levels of satisfaction.
• Support project execution and commissioning activities where required.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders to ensure successful project delivery

Strategic Planning & Market Development

• Analyze market trends, competitive activities, and customer needs.
• Contribute to annual sales plans, budgets, and mid-term business planning.
• Execute go-to-market strategies and support regional growth initiatives.
• Identify opportunities for innovation and new market applications.
• Represent GEA at trade fairs, conferences, industry events, and customer seminars

Financial and Operational Accountability

• Maintain accurate sales forecasts and CRM data.
• Monitor project profitability and commercial performance.
• Report sales performance, opportunities, risks, and corrective actions.
• Support cash flow management and balance sheet objectives.
• Ensure accurate reporting through all commercial systems and business platforms

Compliance & Governance

• Follow all company policies, procedures, and approval processes.
• Ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, business conduct, QHSE, and sustainability requirements.
• Maintain accurate records within CRM and other business systems.
• Support wider corporate initiatives and cross-functional projects when required

Daily Tasks

Customer & Market Activities

• Visit customers and conduct face-to-face or virtual meetings.
• Identify and qualify new sales leads and project opportunities.
• Maintain regular contact with key customers and strategic accounts.
• Respond to customer inquiries and technical-commercial requests.
• Build relationships with consultants, contractors, and industry influencers

Sales & Opportunity Management

• Manage and update sales opportunities in CRM.
• Prepare and follow up quotations and commercial proposals.
• Coordinate internally to obtain technical and commercial input for offers.
• Track project pipelines and sales forecasts.
• Conduct commercial negotiations and contract discussions

Internal Coordination

• Collaborate with engineering, project management, operations, finance, and service teams.
• Participate in sales meetings, project reviews, and business planning sessions.
• Support opportunity reviews and strategy discussions.
• Ensure compliance with approval processes and sales procedures

Reporting & Administration

• Maintain accurate CRM records and sales reports.
• Monitor sales performance against targets.
• Prepare monthly forecasts and pipeline reviews.
• Update business systems related to sales opportunities and quotations.
• Escalate risks, commercial issues, or customer concerns when necessary

Industry Representation

• Attend industry exhibitions, seminars, networking events, and trade fairs.
• Conduct customer presentations and technical workshops.
• Promote the GEA brand and value proposition within target industries.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Process Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Food Technology, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Master's degree or additional commercial qualifications are an advantage

Professional Experience

• Minimum 5 years of experience in technical sales, business development, engineering, or project management within the Dairy, Food, Beverage, or Chemical industry.
• Proven track record of achieving sales targets and driving business growth.
• Experience in complex project sales, contract negotiations, and customer relationship management.
• Experience working in an international and matrix organization is preferred

Technical & Professional Skills

• Strong understanding of process technologies and industrial plant solutions.
• Commercial and financial acumen, including budgeting and forecasting.
• Experience with solution selling and value-based sales approaches.
• Proficiency in CRM systems and Microsoft Office applications

Personal Competencies

• Strong customer focus and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and negotiation abilities.
• Ability to influence stakeholders and work across functions without direct authority.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Self-driven, results-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities.
• Open-minded, adaptable, and willing to travel regularly

Languages

• Fluent in English (written and spoken).
• Fluency in the local market language.
• Additional European languages are an advantage