We are hiring: Technical Sales Manager – Food Ingredients | Costa Rica
Chemelco is an international ingredients distribution company with operations across Europe, Central America and the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia.
We partner with customers and principals by delivering technical expertise, reliable supply chain solutions and strong market intelligence. As part of our continued growth and transformation, we are looking for a technically strong and commercially driven professional to manage our existing customer portfolio while actively developing new business opportunities within the food ingredients market.
About the position
The Technical Sales Manager – Food Ingredients will be responsible for providing technical expertise and commercial support to customers in the food manufacturing sector.
This role bridges food science and business development, providing tailored ingredient solutions that enhance customer formulations, processes, and finished products.
The position requires a strong technical background, customer focus, practical problem-solving skills and the ability to translate technical knowledge into commercial opportunities.
Key Responsibilities
- Identify, evaluate and develop business opportunities in food ingredients across categories such as dairy, bakery, meat, beverages, and confectionery.
- Monitor market trends, analyze competitors, and propose commercial strategies for growth.
- Participate in trade shows, technical seminars, training sessions, and promotional activities aligned with food industry applications.
- Provide accurate forecasting, sales performance reporting, and pipeline tracking.
- Provide specialized technical advice to clients on product use, applications, and benefits.
- Conduct technical visits, product trials, and demonstrations to translate customer needs into practical solutions.
- Build and maintain strong technical and commercial relationships with existing and potential clients, ensuring customer satisfaction and loyalty.
- Support customers in compliance with food safety and regulatory standards.
- Manage the complete sales cycle from prospecting to deal closure and post-sales technical support.
- Prepare quotations, technical proposals, and commercial offers in coordination with Supply Chain and the General Manager.
- Achieve monthly, quarterly, and annual sales targets.
- Track and follow up on orders, deliveries, and collections in collaboration with logistics and customer service support and administration.
- Record and update all commercial activities in the company’s CRM system.
- Ensure adherence to local regulations and food safety compliance standards.
- Represent Chemelco’s values, professionalism, and brand image in all client and industry interactions.
Required Qualificatio
- Bachelor’s degree in Food Technology, Food Science or a related technical field.
- Bilingual - Advanced level of Spanish & English (spoken and written).
- Minimum 3–5 years of experience in technical sales, food applications, or customer technical support within the food ingredients sector.
- Ability to interpret Technical Data Sheets, Certificate of Analysis (COA), Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), industry-specific regulations, formulations, applications.
- Strong customer orientation and a clear focus on goal achievement.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and sales closing skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools (Excel, PowerPoint) and SAP systems.
- Willingness to travel frequently within Costa Rica and occasionally to other Central American markets, based on business needs.
Preferred qualifications
- Experience with functional food ingredients such as modified and native starches, proteins, stabilizers, emulsifiers, preservatives, flavours, enzymes, texturizers and related specialty ingredients.
- Previous experience conducting food ingredient trials, product applications, demonstrations or technical visits with customers.
- Knowledge of the Costa Rica or Central American food manufacturing market.
- Experience in categories such as dairy, bakery, beverages, meat, savoury, confectionery or processed foods.
- Strong analytical thinking and ability to combine technical knowledge with commercial judgment.
- High level of initiative, adaptability and resilience in a dynamic international environment.
- Team-oriented attitude with the ability to coordinate effectively across cultures, departments and countries.
What we offer
Competitive salary and benefits according to local regulations.
Career growth within an international company.
A dynamic, multicultural environment with high-impact projects.
📩 If you have a background in food science or food technology, solid technical sales experience within the food ingredients sector, and are motivated to drive business growth across international markets, we invite you to join Chemelco and be part of our growth journey