Food Service Sales Manager (Junior) - (Senior)

About the company

This international food business develops and markets a varied portfolio of dairy, fruit-based and plant-based products. In Japan, it is focused on growing its food service activities through strong customer partnerships, product innovation and collaborations that respond to local market needs.

The organisation is committed to making food healthier and more sustainable, and values collaboration, diversity and entrepreneurial thinking. Its lean, agile environment gives people the opportunity to take ownership, test ideas and make a tangible contribution to business growth. For someone passionate about food, this is a chance to work across sales, marketing and product development, build lasting industry relationships and help create new opportunities in a growing market.

What the job entails

As Junior Food Service Sales Manager, you will help grow the food service business in Japan, working with distributors, wholesalers and professional customers such as restaurants, hotels, bakeries and patisseries. You will support sales of the company’s professional cream cheese portfolio, help introduce new products and contribute to business development through customer partnerships and co-branding initiatives.

You will develop account plans with distributors, identify opportunities based on market trends and customer needs, and strengthen relationships through regular engagement. Working closely with Marketing and Supply Chain, you will help coordinate customer activity and ensure effective business delivery. The role also involves supporting customer workshops and product development projects with food industry professionals. It offers scope to build expertise beyond traditional sales, with the opportunity to take initiative and contribute to new business creation.

Key requirements

• At least two years’ experience in solution-based food service sales.
• Experience selling through distributors and wholesalers, as well as engaging end customers such as restaurants, hotels, bakeries or patisseries.
• Native-level Japanese.
• Willingness to travel within Japan, including approximately one to two overnight business trips per month.
• A proactive, self-directed approach, with the ownership and accountability to progress projects independently.
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills, and an ability to work effectively with a range of customer and internal stakeholders.
• A genuine interest in food and the ability to adapt to changing customer needs and business priorities.
• Distributor management experience is advantageous.
• Experience working with chefs or other food industry professionals, or in retail sales or marketing, is beneficial.
• Experience in product development, co-branding or an international business environment is also an advantage; English is not required for this position.