Ingredient Sales Director

About Benson Hill

Benson Hill empowers innovators to develop more healthy, tasty, and sustainable food by unlocking the natural genetic diversity of plants. Benson Hill’s CropOS™ platform combines machine learning and big data with breeding techniques and plant biology to drastically accelerate and simplify the product development process. This platform allows for cost-effective and more efficient ways for companies to analyze and make improvements in plant genetics. Benson Hill brings a unique and holistic approach to our product and platform development, as we span a broader workflow involving trait and seed development, genome editing, and breeding all the way to creating better ingredients and varieties that tap a strong consumer demand for more flavorful and nutritious fruits and vegetables. More information can be found online at www.bensonhill.com. Follow us on Twitter at @BensonHillInc.

Our Purpose and Core Values

Our Core Values are a set of common principles we share that are fundamental to our company’s identity.

• BE BOLD! We redefine boundaries by providing new solutions to difficult problems. Together we are driven to transform the future and will not allow the fear of failure to prevent us from innovating. We voice our opinions, embrace change, and challenge each other to think creatively.
• BE INSPIRED! We have purpose in our work-we are curious, engaged, and have fun. We maintain an active learning mindset and are motivated by diverse people and thoughts. We are energized by all innovators and together we aim to make an impact and contribute to building a better world.
• BE REAL! We understand who we are, what we want to achieve, and what it takes to get there. We hold each other accountable through timely, candid, and well-intentioned feedback. Together we engage in honest communication and healthy debate that leads to success through true alignment.

Department Overview

The Ingredient Division establishes and executes the go to market strategy.  It is driven to build new markets, establish supply chain capabilities, to manufacture quality ingredients and deliver in a manner that exceeds customer expectations.  The team works cross functionally with R&D, Data Science, Food Science and Business Development to ensure that we execute to meet our financial objectives.

Position Summary

We are actively seeking growth minded individuals who want to disrupt the food industry. The Ingredient Sales Director role will be the primary “Face of Benson Hill” at the customer.  The individual will be responsible for building a book of business based upon our portfolio of proprietary food ingredients.  Specifically, the Ingredient Sales Director role will be responsible for sales of Benson Hill’s plant-based protein ingredients and positioning Benson Hill as a growth partner by leveraging Benson Hill’s innovation platform.

You’ll make an impact by: (Essential Duties and Responsibilities)

• Develops strong relationships with a diverse set of stakeholders inside of innovative food and ingredient companies utilizing Benson Hill’s platform technology to establish new opportunities.
• Bring current customer relationships from a broad base of food/CPG companies.
• Responsible for managing accounts characterized as complex, high challenge and diverse customer who require ongoing client relationship support.
• Responsible for the full cycle of sales in the targeted market from planning, executing, contract management and control perspective.
• Hunter mentality to expand and grow account base.
• Responsible for developing strategic account plans to drive customer relationships along with establishing sales targets to support Benson Hill’s commercial strategy and objectives.
• Fosters and supports a culture of teamwork, collaboration, innovation, and excellence.
• Serves as the face of Benson Hill to our customers and marketplace.

 You have:

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, agriculture, sales or marketing, or related field
• Technical degree with direct food ingredient sales experience preferred

Qualifications/Skills:

• Previous account management in B-to-B sales consumer-packaged goods, food/beverage ingredient, or related industry experience
• Minimum of 8+ years sales or marketing experience within a related industry
• Business Development, build and professionally manage sales business with complex customers from concept to commercialization.
• Ability to build and develop complex CPG customers from concept to commercialization.
• Has established and strong relationships with CPG companies.
• Proven track record in growing sales, managing major accounts, and building a sales funnel
• Possesses strong negotiation skills while maintaining positive customer experiences
• Demonstrated strengths in business acumen interpersonal skills and people leadership
• Demonstrated analytical and strategic thinking skills
• Demonstrated use of CRM tools to manage book of business and lead execution at the customer

We have:

• A flexible PTO program with a focus on work/life balance
• Competitive medical benefits and retirement savings plan
• FREE Dental and Vision Coverage
• Education reimbursement
• PAID parental leave
• And more….

Employees can expect to be paid a salary of $121,575 and $162,100. Additional compensation may include a bonus or commission (if relevant). Other benefits include health care, vision (company paid), dental (company paid), 401K, Flexible PTO, etc. If selected for this role, the offer may vary based on market data/ranges, an applicant’s skills and prior relevant experience, certain degrees and certifications, and additional relevant factors.