Sales Manager

Role Overview

Food People is partnering with a fast-growing international business to appoint a Sales Manager. This full-time position represents the first dedicated employee on the ground in Saudi Arabia, playing a central role in building the market from an early stage. The role can be based in Riyadh or Jeddah, with Riyadh being the ideal location.

About the Position

This is not a traditional corporate sales position. The Saudi operation functions within a genuine start-up environment, characterized by a small regional team and a lean structure. The successful candidate will have scope to make a significant impact. The role requires comfort with independent work, problem-solving, and proactive involvement to advance the business. This position offers an opportunity to build and grow alongside the business, with potential for development into broader country leadership responsibilities as the Saudi operation scales.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive commercial growth and deliver sales targets across Saudi Arabia.
• Manage and develop key Modern Trade and Quick Commerce customers.
• Identify and secure new customers, listings, and commercial opportunities.
• Develop the Foodservice channel in close partnership with local distribution partners.
• Build strong relationships with customers, distributors, and other commercial stakeholders.
• Pitch new brands and opportunities to existing and prospective customers.
• Negotiate listings, commercial terms, promotions, and customer activations.
• Develop account plans and identify opportunities to increase revenue across existing customers.
• Monitor sales performance, market developments, and competitor activity.
• Work closely with regional leadership to identify opportunities and shape the Saudi growth strategy.
• Take ownership of day-to-day commercial execution as the company's first dedicated employee in the Kingdom.
• Contribute beyond the traditional boundaries of a sales role when required to help establish and grow the Saudi operation.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Proven sales experience within the Saudi Arabian market, with 5-10 years of relevant experience.
• Strong exposure to Modern Trade and Quick Commerce customers.
• Foodservice experience is considered a strong advantage.
• Demonstrated success in winning business, growing accounts, and delivering measurable sales results.

Candidate Attributes

• A genuine start-up mentality with the desire to build from the ground up.
• Comfortable operating independently within a small team and without the infrastructure of a large corporate organization.
• Commercially driven, proactive, and willing to take ownership.
• Positive, energetic, adaptable, and naturally relationship-oriented.
• Ambitious to grow with the business and potentially progress into broader country leadership responsibilities.

Work Environment and Location

This is a full-time position based in Saudi Arabia, ideally in Riyadh, with the intention of building a long-term career in the Kingdom. The role requires working independently within a small, agile team. Salary details will be discussed during the interview process.