The Sales & Marketing function within Cibus covers a wide range of Commercial opportunities across Sales, Marketing, and Category. Cibus is a specialist recruiter for food sales jobs and food marketing jobs.
The food industry has a wonderfully unique range of roles encompassing entry-level executive positions. These include National Account Managers, Brand Managers, Trade Marketing, Category Managers, Export roles, Technical Account Manager, Category Controllers, Head of Sales, Commercial Director, Marketing Director, and Chief Commercial Officer.
At Cibus, our team has worked diligently to manage numerous exciting projects. We have helped hundreds of clients secure top commercial talent in the Food, Drink, and FMCG sectors. We have assisted start-up businesses in entering the UK market. We have also enabled established and ambitious companies to launch new products and explore new categories. Furthermore, we have found solutions for challenging and hard-to-fill positions and provided many businesses with strong commercial leaders who have driven strategy, growth, and team development.
For professionals, we understand now more than ever the importance of the right sales and food marketing jobs in the right business with the right values. We will guide and support you in that search and throughout the interview, onboarding process and beyond.
We also work with our international partners on many different commercial jobs. Read more about them here.
Cibus delivers excellent recruitment solutions in the changing world of the food and drink industry. We are proud of our talented team of knowledgeable recruitment specialists who cover all functions and sectors and offer bespoke services to our clients.
We provide Permanent and Interim recruitment solutions across Manufacturing, Retail, Foodservice, Food Technology, Product Development, Procurement, Supply Chain, Engineering, HR, Sales & Marketing from Graduate to Board Level. Whether you’re looking for marketing or sales jobs in the food industry, our team can help you find excellent career opportunities.
We’ve worked across the globe, recruiting for start-ups and large international organisations. We have helped and made a real difference to a vast array of clients, working collaboratively with them as they recruit the very best talent to support their strategies.
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Sales and Marketing Roles in the UK and Global Food Sector
The primary purpose of sales jobs in the food industry in the UK and beyond is to build and maintain relationships with clients, particularly with leading retailers. These positions are target-based, making them ideal for individuals who are competitive and thrive on achieving goals. Food sales professionals work to secure new business, negotiate contracts, and ensure customer satisfaction, driving revenue and growth for their companies.
As with other industries, marketing is vital in the food and drinks sector. It is crucial for attracting and retaining customers, increasing sales, and growing brands. Professionals with jobs in food marketing create brand awareness and promote customer loyalty through strategic campaigns, promotions, and market research. They work to understand consumer preferences, develop compelling messaging and position products effectively in the market.
 Roles covered under food sales and marketing jobs include:
- National Account Manager – manages relationships with key national retailers, driving sales and ensuring account growth.
- Brand Manager – develops and implements brand strategies to enhance brand equity and market presence.
- Trade Marketing – creates and executes marketing strategies targeted at retailers and distributors to boost product sales.
- Category Manager – analyses and manages product categories to maximise sales, profitability, and market share.
- Export Roles – oversee international sales and market expansion, as well as export strategies and relationships.
- Technical Account Manager – bridges the gap between technical teams and clients, ensuring product specifications meet client needs.
- Category Controller – leads category strategy, ensuring it meets business objectives and drives category growth.
- Head of Sales – oversees the sales team and develops strategies to meet revenue targets and expand market reach.
- Commercial Director – directs commercial activities, focusing on sales growth, partnerships, and overall business profitability.
- Marketing Director – leads marketing efforts, shaping strategy to build brand awareness and drive consumer engagement.
- Chief Commercial Officer – oversees all commercial functions and ensures they match sales, marketing, and business strategies for growth.
- Head of Commercial – manages the commercial strategy, ensuring alignment across sales, marketing, and financial objectives.
- Marketing Manager – executes marketing plans and drive campaigns that boost brand visibility and sales performance.
- Insights Manager – analyses market data and consumer trends to provide insights that inform marketing and sales strategies.
- Marketing Assistant – supports the marketing team with day-to-day tasks, campaign execution, and administrative duties.
- Commercial Executive – assists in the development and execution of commercial strategies that focus on sales and profitability.
- Account Manager – manages client relationships, ensuring customer satisfaction and driving business growth.
- Marketing Controller – oversees the marketing budget and performance to ensure marketing activities reflect business goals.
- Chief Commercial Officer – leads the commercial strategy, driving revenue growth and ensuring alignment across all commercial functions.
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Food Sales and Food Marketing Jobs Responsibilities
Amongst individuals with sales jobs in the food industry, responsibilities vary widely from junior to senior roles. For example, junior Commercial Executives are tasked with generating various sales and promotional reports, analysing market data, comparing customer Electronic Point of Sale (EPOS) data, and conducting reviews of different product categories. They handle administrative tasks related to new product development (NPD) and collaborate cross-functionally within the organisation and with external partners as needed.
At the senior level of food sales jobs, Commercial Directors are responsible for developing and implementing the commercial strategy for the business. They lead and mentor the sales team, ensuring alignment with business goals, and utilise their outstanding commercial acumen to drive business growth. Commercial Directors are expected to have a proven track record of success in sales leadership and strategy execution.
Amongst food marketing jobs, roles also range from junior to senior positions. Marketing Executives support the marketing team in implementing the business growth strategy. They liaise with internal and external markets, both within the UK and internationally, lead the development and execution of in-store selling plans, and create data-driven campaigns to drive market growth. Furthermore, they coordinate the delivery of Point of Sale (POS) materials and track and forecast monthly budget reports to ensure financial accuracy.
Marketing Directors, on the other hand, are responsible for developing and overseeing the implementation of the marketing strategy. They ensure that the entire marketing team is focused on achieving strategic goals and budget targets. Marketing Directors also communicate and collaborate with senior stakeholders and exhibit proactive professionalism with a history of successful marketing initiatives.
How much do food Sales and Marketing jobs get paid?
The salaries of professionals with either marketing or sales jobs in the food industry can vary significantly. Entry-level positions start at around £25,000, while senior roles can exceed £200,000 annually. Understanding these factors can help professionals navigate their career paths and negotiate better compensation in the dynamic food industry.
Other factors can also influence pay in this sector, such as:
1. Experience
More experienced professionals typically command higher salaries. Years of experience in the industry, along with a proven track record of success, can significantly boost earning potential.
2. Education and qualifications
Higher educational qualifications, such as a master’s degree or specialised certifications, can lead to better-paying opportunities.
3. Industry sector
Different sectors within the food industry, such as luxury goods, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), or niche markets, can offer varying salary scales.
4. Company size and reputation
Larger companies or those with a strong market presence often offer higher salaries compared to smaller firms.
5. Location
Geographic location can also impact salaries. Jobs based in major cities or regions with a high cost of living typically offer higher pay to offset living expenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Qualifications vary by role but typically include a bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or other similar fields. Higher-level positions may require a master’s degree or specialised certifications. Experience in the food industry and strong communication and analytical skills are also important.
Key skills include strong communication and negotiation abilities, analytical thinking, creativity, project management, and a deep understanding of market trends and consumer behaviour. For sales roles, being target-driven and having excellent relationship-building skills are crucial.
Advancement typically involves gaining experience, demonstrating success in your current role, and pursuing additional education or certifications. Building a strong professional network and staying updated on industry trends can also help.
Yes, many companies in the food sector operate internationally, offering opportunities for roles that involve travel or relocation. Knowledge of international markets and other languages can be a significant advantage.
Get in TouchÂ
Ready to take your career in food sales and marketing to the next level? Contact us at Cibus and explore our recruitment solutions or the latest job opportunities in the food industry!
