GCC Sales and Operations Manager

Job description / Role

We have been mandated on an excellent role with a premium food distributer in Dubai, who have asked us to help find a suitable candidate.

The position will interact with chefs, buyers, category managers and other decision makers to continue the development of our item assortment across the territory. This interaction will be established through relationship development with a wide array of stakeholders. Traditional selling activities are met with the operational nuances of International supply-chain managed primarily through the clients HQ in New York.

This role includes direct management of commercial activity with the opportunity to take a leadership role within our International channel. The role includes working closely with our Inside Account Management team and International Business Development Manager based in New York, as well as coordinating with our logistics organization (import, distribution, value-added services).

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Direct account management oversight of existing customers.
• Coordination with local and regional distribution partners to effectively service customers, maintaining high service levels at all times
• Work with UAE warehouse and 3PL company in conjunction with NY Office Team to manage imports, exports, sales and lead times ensuring the maintenance of adequate inventory levels
• Ability to manage time and work week differences between the NY Office and Middle East operations
• Management of existing, and creation of new, programs for customers (e.g. rebates, pricing, sampling).
• Generate and effectively manage new customer leads
• Ability to analyze, monitor and create high level sales, inventory and operations reports including ad-hoc reporting as and when needed
• Weekly customer/lead visits totaling approximately 20-30/week inclusive of existing and new operators.
• Facilitate quarterly / mid-year / annual business review processes with current customers ensuring consistent contact and follow-through on new business opportunities.
• Drive business development activities of products with end-users through education, building of relationships and traditional selling efforts.
• Support and pursue new placement opportunities with existing business, with the goal of creating incremental growth through direct and indirect selling activities.
• Support and promote the Clients Foods’ brand through education, targeted sampling and end-user engagement.
• Document any and all activity around the end-user for ongoing reference, performance management and future internal growth of our customer development team.
• Run and facilitate trade show and promotional activities in territory to promote the ClientsFoods’ brand, targeted promotional activities and education on total offering and clients solution
• Participate in various national trade shows where appropriate.

Salary:
AED 20,000 to 30,000 per month inclusive of fixed allowances.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree and/or Culinary Arts Degree required
• 3+ years of experience in the food industry required (5+ preferable) - hospitality / foodservice / retail preferable.
• 3+ Years prior account / sales management experience required - international, FMCG and HORECA experience preferred.
• UAE Drivers License Required
• Effective communicator with strong negotiation and presentation skills
• Organized, detail-oriented with strong technical writing and analytical skills.
• Self-motivated individual with ability to work independently and proactively

• Able to travel up to 50%, including internationally.

• Previous Salesforce or CRM experience a plus
• Must have high levels of English speaking and writing, with proficiency in one or more foreign languages a plus.

About the Company

Bespoke Professionals was established in the Kingdom of Bahrain in early 2012 and now has offices in Bahrain and Dubai. We are a specialist legal executive search firm who have placed lawyers and support staff in the leading law firms and multinational companies in the GCC and wider Middle East region.

We pride ourselves on delivering a value-added introduction service that achieves the goals of both client and candidate, and so take great care to absorb every last detail when learning about our clients and candidates, so as to ensure a mutually beneficial match.

The majority of our focus is in the Legal sector, working very closely with UK, US and local law firms in the Middle East and in the Asia Pacific region, on a contingent and retained basis. We also exclusively recruit and headhunt for a number of banks, telecoms, and energy firms on legal and compliance mandates.