Head of Commercial | National Protein Sales

Benchmark Resourcing is a boutique talent partner of choice for the Australian meat industry. We exclusively partner within this sector because we believe our clients and candidates deserve a recruitment specialist who understands their world inside and out. From paddock through to plate, we are Australia’s national staffing solution across the entire meat supply chain.

The Opportunity

Our food industry partner is seeking an experienced commercial leader to drive national sales performance while personally managing and growing some of Australia’s most significant foodservice and hospitality accounts. This is not a traditional corporate leadership role. We’re seeking a genuine leader who can operate at executive level while remaining actively involved in customer acquisition, strategic account management, contract negotiations and major tender opportunities.

Reporting directly to the CEO, this role will initially assume direct commercial responsibility for New South Wales, Western Australia and South Australia while coordinating commercial strategy, pricing standards and sales performance nationally. With the view to evolve into a full national role longterm.

The Position

This newly created executive position combines direct sales leadership with national commercial influence. You will personally own revenue, margin and customer growth outcomes across NSW, WA and SA while leading a national commercial review process that drives consistency, accountability and performance across the broader sales network.

• Personally managing and growing major foodservice, hospitality, contract catering and institutional accounts.
• Bringing in new high volume business across foodservice distribution, contract catering, QSR, hospitality and aged care sectors.
• Leading complex contract negotiations, pricing discussions and tender submissions.
• Driving national pricing strategy, margin management and commercial governance.
• Coordinating commercial activity across state sales teams and national accounts.
• Developing structured account growth plans for strategic customers.
• Building a national pipeline of tender opportunities and major contract prospects.
• Providing commercial leadership and market intelligence to the executive team.
• Supporting export growth opportunities across Asia Pacific and Middle Eastern markets.
• Coaching and developing sales representatives across NSW, WA and SA markets.

The Candidate

A Sales Director, Commercial Director, General Manager Sales or Head of Commercial within food manufacturing, foodservice, wholesale distribution, FMCG or protein commodities. Most importantly, you still enjoy being in front of customers.

• 12+ years commercial leadership experience with at least 5 years leading multi-state or national sales functions within a food manufacturing environment.
• Experience within meat, protein, food manufacturing, foodservice distribution or wholesale food businesses will be highly regarded.
• Existing relationships with major foodservice operators, contract caterers, QSR groups, hospitality management companies or institutional foodservice providers will be viewed favourably.
• Proven success winning and managing large B2B foodservice, contract catering and hospitality accounts.
• Strong experience responding to and winning complex tenders.
• Demonstrated ability to negotiate large commercial agreements with procurement led organisations.
• Experience managing margin in highly competitive or commodity based environments.
• Strong commercial acumen across pricing models, rebates, trading terms and contract structures.
• A hands on leadership style with the ability to influence both customers and internal stakeholders.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation and relationship management skills.

The Offer

This role will suit a commercially driven leader who enjoys winning business, building relationships and creating long term growth rather than simply managing a sales team from a distance.

• Executive leadership role reporting directly to the CEO.
• Influence commercial strategy across a national business.
• Salary package of approximately $180,000 - $200,000 + 12% Superannuation.
• 25% STI linked to commercial performance outcomes.
• National scope with genuine growth opportunities.
• Opportunity to evolve into a fully national commercial leadership position as the business continues to grow.

Next Steps

There is a detailed position description available for shortlisted candidates. If you meet the above criteria, I would love to hear from you. Please submit your resume outlining your relevant experience along with two contactable referees. Only suitably qualified candidates will be contacted.

For confidential enquiries, please contact Alicia Hastie on 0422 320 261 or email your resume to ***email_hidden***. All applications will be handled with the utmost integrity and confidentiality.