Sales Manager Europe - Nutraceutical Ingredients | Distribution

We are supporting a leading North American ingredients business as it builds its first commercial team across Europe.

Currently in the later stages of the search to appoint a European Sales Director, we’re now turning our focus to building the commercial team; at least 4 Sales Manager hires across the region are planned, with the potential for further appointments as the European structure is defined.

The business already has a strong reputation in North America, with a broad ingredient portfolio and a successful distribution model built around product access, speed of supply and customer service. Europe represents a major new growth market, with the initial focus on nutraceutical and dietary supplement ingredients before expanding further into adjacent sectors.

Each Sales Manager will take ownership of a defined geographic territory or market, responsible for building it from the ground up: identifying opportunities, opening new accounts, developing strategic customer relationships and managing the full sales cycle.

This is an individual contributor role. You won't be inheriting an established book of business and simply maintaining it. The company is looking for people who genuinely enjoy selling, developing markets and creating something.

The Role

You will be responsible for:

Owning and developing a defined European territory. Building a strong pipeline of new business opportunities. Identifying, approaching and winning new customers. Growing relationships within existing and target accounts. Managing the full sales process, from initial approach through negotiation and close. Working closely with the European Sales Director to shape territory strategy and market priorities. Providing market intelligence around customers, competitors, products and local demand. Representing the business at customer meetings, exhibitions and industry events. Collaborating with the wider US and European teams as the operation develops.

The company's own specification places particular emphasis on a hunter mentality, the ability to open new accounts and experience building a territory from the ground up.

The Person

We're looking for experienced commercial people who can work with a high degree of autonomy.

Ideally, you will have:

• 5+ years of successful sales experience in nutraceutical, dietary supplement or related ingredients.
• A background in nutraceutical or functional ingredient distribution.
• A proven track record of winning new accounts and delivering against sales targets.
• Strong commercial relationships within your market or geography.
• Good consultative selling, negotiation and closing skills.
• The ability to manage your own territory, priorities and pipeline independently.
• A willingness to travel across your territory and attend relevant industry events.

Why Join?

The interesting part here is the timing.

You're joining at the beginning of the European story, not once everything has already been built.

There will be a Sales Director leading the region, but the first Sales Managers will have a real opportunity to influence how individual territories develop, which products gain traction and where the business invests next.

For someone who enjoys opening doors, building relationships and developing a market rather than inheriting an established territory, it's a very different opportunity to joining a mature European sales organisation.

Multiple positions will be appointed across Europe, with territories shaped around the right individuals and market opportunities.