Area Sales Manager Bakery Specialist

Area Sales Manager Bakery Specialist

Position: Area Sales Manager Bakery Specialist
Date: October 2026
Department: External Sales
Location: James Hamilton Group, 50 Millennium Way, Craigavon, BT66 8DH

JOB DESCRIPTION

SUMMARY OF ROLE

Zeus Packaging is seeking an experienced and commercially driven Area Sales Manager Bakery Specialist to join our team, based at our James Hamilton site in Lurgan.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced sales professional with a strong understanding of the bakery sector to take ownership of an established customer base while identifying and developing new business opportunities.

The successful candidate will ideally have experience working within the bakery industry, whether in bakery packaging, ingredients, consumables, equipment, foodservice or a related sector. They will understand the needs of bakery customers and be comfortable building relationships with everyone from independent bakeries through to larger commercial and industrial bakery operations.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage and develop an existing portfolio of bakery and food-sector customers within the assigned territory.
• Identify, target and secure new business opportunities to deliver sustainable sales growth.
• Build strong, long-term relationships with customers, becoming a trusted commercial partner and point of contact.
• Use your knowledge of the bakery sector to understand customer requirements and recommend appropriate packaging, consumable and related product solutions.
• Conduct regular customer visits and proactively identify opportunities to increase sales and broaden the product range supplied.
• Develop a strong pipeline of new opportunities and manage these effectively through to conversion.
• Prepare quotations, negotiate commercial terms and secure new contracts and business.
• Work closely with internal sales, purchasing, operations and customer service teams to ensure customers receive an excellent level of service.
• Monitor customer performance, sales activity, margins and market opportunities within the territory.
• Keep up to date with developments and trends within the bakery and food sectors.
• Represent Zeus Packaging professionally at customer meetings, industry events and trade shows where required.
• Deliver agreed sales, margin and new-business targets.

SCOPE OF POSITION

The post holder will be expected to work any hours required in the execution of his/her duties. The role does not have line management responsibility.

LOCATION

This position is located in James Hamilton Group, 50 Millennium Way, Craigavon, BT66 8DH

PERSON SPECIFICATION

About You

We are looking for a commercially focused salesperson who understands the bakery market and enjoys developing lasting customer relationships.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Previous B2B field sales/account management experience, ideally within the bakery sector.
• Experience selling bakery packaging, ingredients, consumables, equipment or other products/services into bakeries or food manufacturers would be highly advantageous.
• A good understanding of the requirements and challenges faced by bakery customers.
• A proven track record of developing existing accounts and winning new business.
• Strong commercial awareness with the ability to negotiate effectively and protect margin.
• Excellent communication, presentation and relationship-building skills.
• A proactive approach to identifying and developing new sales opportunities.
• The ability to manage their own territory, customer visits and sales pipeline effectively.
• Good organisational and administrative skills, including experience using CRM and sales reporting systems.
• A full driving licence.

What Were Looking For

Above all, we want someone who can combine bakery industry knowledge with strong commercial sales ability.

You will be comfortable getting out into the market, meeting customers, understanding their businesses and identifying where Zeus can add value. You should be equally confident developing established accounts and opening doors with prospective customers.

This role would particularly suit someone currently working in a bakery-focused sales role who has built strong industry knowledge and relationships and is ready to take the next step in their career with a growing packaging business.

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