Sales Manager - Food and Protein

Location

Willmar, MN

Onsite, Hybrid or Fully Remote

Flexible

Status

Full-time

Reports To

Vice President - Sales and Marketing

FLSA Status

Exempt

Management Position

No

Compensation Range $111,000.00-$158,200

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Sales Manager - Food & Protein is responsible for driving growth across targeted food processing markets through strategic sales development, market diversification, and customer engagement. This role focuses heavily on gelatin, collagen, yeast, and adjacent protein sectors, with an emphasis on expanding RELCO's presence domestically and internationally.

Working closely with sales, engineering, and international teams, this individual will identify new opportunities, strengthen key customer relationships, and develop executable market strategies that deliver measurable business results.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Market Development & Growth

• Lead the development and execution of growth strategies within targeted food and protein markets, with a strong focus on gelatin, collagen, and yeast applications.
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities, market segments, and strategic partnerships to expand RELCO's market presence.
• Conduct market and competitive analysis to recommend actionable growth initiatives.
• Collaborate with international offices to align global market development efforts and support regional opportunities.
• Leverage global engineering, sourcing, and operational resources to enhance project execution and customer value.

Customer & Industry Engagement

• Develop and maintain relationships with key customer accounts, industry partners, and decision-makers.
• Serve as a primary commercial contact for strategic food and protein opportunities.
• Represent RELCO at industry events, conferences, trade shows, and customer meetings to strengthen brand presence and generate new business opportunities.
• Identify customer needs and communicate appropriate system and component solutions in coordination with internal teams.

Sales & Opportunity Management

• Qualify opportunities based on strategic fit, technical alignment, and revenue potential.
• Coordinate with the Quotation Team and engineering groups to support proposal development and project execution.
• Conduct regular sales calls and business development activities with existing and prospective customers.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date CRM records documenting customer interactions, opportunities, and sales activity.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with the VP of Sales & Marketing to ensure alignment with company growth objectives and sales strategy.
• Collaborate across engineering, project management, applications, and operations teams to deliver customer-focused solutions.
• Support growth initiatives involving KSS membrane systems and other strategic product offerings.

Performance & Accountability

• Establish and achieve defined sales, pipeline, and market development KPIs.
• Provide regular updates to leadership regarding market activity, project opportunities, customer trends, and business performance.
• Contribute to annual sales planning, forecasting, and strategic growth initiatives.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or a related technical field preferred
• Strong technical aptitude with the ability to understand and communicate engineering concepts and specifications.
• Proven experience in technical sales or business development, preferably in an industrial or manufacturing environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to build and maintain strong customer relationships.
• Effective organizational and time management skills; able to handle multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Proficiency in CRM software and Microsoft Office Suite; capable of maintaining detailed and accurate records.

TRAVEL:

• Must be willing to travel up to 50% of the time.

Kovalus offers a comprehensive package that includes: Medical (3 plan options), Dental (2 plan options) and Vision plan insurances; 401K (6% company match & fixed company contribution based on seniority); health savings and flexible spending accounts; company provided basic life insurance policy with the option of selecting additional voluntary life insurance for self, spouse or dependents; disability insurances (short-term policy is company paid & long-term is split between company and employee); voluntary insurance plans for Accident, Critical Illness and Hospital Indemnity; business and personal travel insurance; 10 paid holidays; vacation time starting at 3 weeks; 48 hours sick time; employee assistance program; educational assistance program; referral bonus; bereavement leave.

All benefits are subject to applicable plan and program terms (including eligibility terms) and may be subject to change.

JOIN OUR TEAM

Join a team who focuses on putting safety first. We have recently celebrated 15 years without a lost time accident. Every day is a new challenge, and we are constantly seeking ways to help our team get better at what we do. If that is you, we want you on our team. We look forward to hearing from you