Area Sales Manager – Food & Beverage

Position Title: Area Sales Manager – Food & BeverageDepartment: SalesReports to: VP of SalesFLSA Status: ExemptRole Profile: Account Sales ManagerLocation: Southeast USAAbout Burkert: Burkert USA Corp is a manufacturing and sales organization, that is family owned and was established in the US in 1984. Burkert employees enjoy an inclusive environment that's open to ideas and innovation for a growing company with opportunities for development. Work life balance is considered a priority with a comprehensive benefits package in place to support your personal and professional life.About the Role: As an Area Sales Manager, you will be hands-on in driving market growth and uncovering new business opportunities within the food & beverage sector. You will work directly with customers and through Distribution Partners to understand their needs, recommend tailored solutions, and build strong relationships. In this role, you will be the go-to expert for food & beverage applications and requirements, helping customers find the right products for their operations.You’ll be responsible for generating sales both through your own efforts and by supporting our distribution partners, all while ensuring that sales goals and company objectives are met. Your proactive approach and customer-first attitude will be key in growing our presence and reputation in the industry.Core Responsibilities: Achieve sales growth and meet annual revenue and profit targets within core food & beverage industries in your assigned region.Develop and execute account and territory plans, providing accurate and timely sales forecasts.Prepare engaging presentations and proposals to showcase the Burkert product portfolio during client meetings and sales calls.Implement effective strategies to attract new customers and strengthen relationships with existing clients.Promote Burkert solutions to key decision-makers at OEMs, engineering firms, integrators, and end users.Collaborate with the sales team and cross-functional colleagues to drive business objectives.Partner with Marketing and Core Industry Managers on new product launches, trade shows, digital tools, and sales initiatives.Proactively identify new business opportunities within the food & beverage sector.Utilize CRM (Microsoft Dynamics) for tracking sales activities, maintaining the opportunity pipeline, and submitting visit reports.Adhere to company expense policies and manage budget compliance.Communicate consistently with Team Managers, Core Industry Managers, and Corporate Key Account Managers to align sales efforts.Support local customers and Burkert distributors with training, technical assistance, and business development guidance.Required Skills & ExperienceBachelor’s degree in Engineering, completion of certified technical training courses, or equivalent education and experience.Minimum of 5 years’ sales experience with a technical focus in the food & beverage manufacturing industry.Willingness and ability to travel at least 50% of the time to provide outstanding support to customers within your region.Strong customer focus and meticulous attention to detail.Demonstrated ability to prioritize work activities and achieve business objectives.Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.Experience re-engaging and repatriating established business accounts.In-depth knowledge of food & beverage processing applications and requirements.Proven track record in new business development within the industry.Experience leveraging multiple lead sources, including LinkedIn Navigator, company website, trade shows, inside sales teams, and e-commerce contacts.Proficiency with Microsoft Dynamics for CRM and sales pipeline management.Capacity and drive to achieve sales goals ranging from $2.5 million to $5 million annually, with robust company infrastructure supporting growth.Preferred Skills & ExperienceDemonstrated success in sales of hygienic/aseptic fluid control solutions (such as valves, pumps, or process control equipment) specifically within the food & beverage manufacturing sector.