At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive growth by building strategic customer relationships in functional nutrition.
- Company: Join a global leader in natural ingredients and innovative solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 27 days leave, life assurance, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on nutrition products that consumers love.
- Qualifications: Degree in relevant field and experience in account management or sales.
The predicted salary is between 49500 - 60500 £ per year.
We are a global producer, marketer and provider of technology-driven natural ingredients, ingredient systems and integrated solutions for the global food, beverage and life science & nutrition industry. We are all about mastering sensory experience and nutritional performance.
We offer exceptional opportunities for passionate people who want to shape the future of nutrition in an entrepreneurial and impact-driven environment. Here, you have the freedom to take ownership and to thrive both professionally and personally. Be part of a highly committed team with a clear purpose: at Döhler, smart ideas have a way of becoming great products. Together, we bring ideas to life.
Are you passionate about turning functional nutrition concepts into food and beverage products that consumers love? As a Key Account Manager – Functional Nutrition, you will drive the growth and development of strategic customer relationships in the food, beverage and nutrition markets. Managing a portfolio of one to ten named customers, you will connect customer needs with Döhler’s portfolio of products, services and solutions — including fortification, supplementation and functional ingredients.
You will help customers transform nutritional concepts into commercially successful products while delivering sustainable growth, profitability and long-term customer value for Döhler.
Your Impact in This Role:
- Grow strategic customer partnerships by building trusted relationships with key decision-makers and developing a deep understanding of their businesses, markets and ambitions.
- Turn customer needs into opportunities by identifying relevant applications for fortification, supplementation and functional nutrition solutions.
- Represent Döhler’s broader portfolio and work with internal experts to develop tailored solutions that create meaningful customer value.
- Drive commercial success by achieving sales, turnover, margin and profitability targets, while identifying and addressing potential deviations.
- Lead the customer account-planning cycle by creating, implementing and regularly updating account development plans for assigned customers.
- Bring ideas to life by developing sales initiatives, identifying new business opportunities and helping customers turn nutrition concepts into successful products.
- Own customer projects end to end, from the initial opportunity through concept development, sampling, quotation, evaluation, contracting, scale-up and launch.
- Connect customers with the right internal expertise, collaborating closely with R&D, application technology, regulatory, marketing, supply chain and commercial teams.
- Create momentum across the organisation by ensuring effective information exchange and coordinated follow-up between customers and internal interfaces.
- Strengthen customer loyalty through proactive relationship management, continuous validation of customer requirements and professional follow-up.
- Stay close to market developments by identifying emerging opportunities in areas such as functional beverages, fortified foods, sports nutrition, healthy ageing, immunity and gut health.
- Improve the way we work by using Döhler’s digital systems consistently, supporting process optimisation and contributing to the digitalisation of business processes.
- Protect the customer experience by ensuring that complaints are managed effectively and resolved in collaboration with the relevant teams.
Success in this role means building trusted customer partnerships, converting opportunities into profitable business and helping customers launch innovative, market-relevant nutrition products.
Your Profile:
- You are a commercially minded and customer-focused professional who enjoys building trusted relationships and turning customer needs into attractive business opportunities.
- You bring a degree in Food Science, Nutrition, Food Technology, Business Administration, Sales, Marketing or a related field.
- Three to five years of professional experience, ideally in functional nutrition, food and beverage, ingredients, dietary supplements or health-focused consumer goods.
- Experience in account management, technical sales, customer development, business development or customer project management.
- An understanding of functional nutrition, food fortification, supplementation and functional ingredients.
- The ability to translate customer needs into commercially attractive product or application solutions.
- Strong relationship-building, communication, presentation and negotiation skills.
- Fluency in English and the relevant local language.
- A proactive, solution-oriented mindset, with the confidence to take ownership of customer topics.
- Strong organisational and project-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple customers, priorities and deadlines.
- A commercial understanding of sales targets, pricing, profitability and business growth.
- The ability to collaborate effectively with technical, commercial and cross-functional teams.
- Agility in responding to changing customer needs, market conditions and project requirements.
- A genuine passion for creating customer value, bringing ideas to life and delivering sustainable results.
Nice to Have:
- Experience managing regional or strategic accounts, preferably within functional nutrition, food, beverage, ingredients or dietary supplements.
- Experience creating and managing account development plans for strategic customers.
- Familiarity with CRM, ERP or other digital sales-management systems.
- Experience managing customer projects end to end, from sampling and quotations through to contract, scale-up and product launch.
- Strong market intelligence and the ability to identify emerging customer, consumer and competitor trends.
- Knowledge of ordering cycles, batch sizes, minimum order quantities and payment terms.
- Experience negotiating complex customer agreements and creating win-win solutions.
- An entrepreneurial spirit and enthusiasm for improving processes and ways of working.
You will thrive in this role if you enjoy combining commercial responsibility, customer partnership and innovation—and if you want your work to have a visible impact on customer success and Döhler’s sustainable growth.
What We Offer:
- Work with passion: We create an environment where passion meets profession. Meaningful work and positive energy inspire people to give their best and make lasting contribution to our shared success.
- Take ownership: We empower you to take ownership and share your ideas. Whatever your role, you have the opportunity to show initiative and make an impact.
- Grow your way: With flexible development opportunities across departments and a global team, you can broaden your skills, discover new strengths and actively shape your career path.
- Thrive in a global environment: Join an international team bringing together multiple cultures, languages and perspectives to spark new ideas and inspiration. Through global collaboration, you expand your horizon both professionally and personally.
- The team always wins: We build real connections and grow together. By sharing knowledge and valuing each other’s strengths, we create a culture where trust and team play lead to shared success.
What you'll get in return:
- Competitive salary and bonus package
- 27 days annual leave, rising to 30, + bank holidays
- Life assurance up to four times salary
- Access to a company wellbeing platform
- Enhanced parental leave
Equal Opportunities for All: We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds regardless of age, ancestry, disability, ethnic origin, gender, gender identity or expression, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, social background or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances.
A good match starts with shared values. Complete our Culture Fit Challenge to find out how well your mindset aligns with the way we work.
Please note that we are unable to consider or return application documents sent by post.
Key Account Manager - Functional Nutrition employer: Döhler
At Döhler, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant work culture where passion meets profession. As a Key Account Manager in Functional Nutrition, you will thrive in an entrepreneurial environment that encourages ownership and innovation, while enjoying flexible development opportunities and the chance to collaborate with a diverse global team. With competitive benefits, including generous annual leave and a commitment to employee wellbeing, Döhler is dedicated to supporting your professional growth and making a meaningful impact in the nutrition industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Key Account Manager - Functional Nutrition
✨Join Food Science Communities
Get involved in food science forums and communities, both online and offline. Platforms like LinkedIn Groups or Reddit can be goldmines for job leads and valuable insights. Plus, you’ll connect with other food enthusiasts who might even point you towards openings at companies like Döhler.
✨Attend Industry Conferences and Workshops
Check out exhibitions and workshops in the food science sector. Events like the International Congress on Food Technology are not just knowledge hubs, but also great networking opportunities. You never know who you might bump into – perhaps a hiring manager from Döhler!
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Start a blog or social media channel showcasing innovative food science projects or trends. This not only showcases your expertise but also raises your visibility in the field. When you apply for a role at companies like Döhler, they’ll see you’re proactive and truly passionate about food technology.
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We think you need these skills to ace Key Account Manager - Functional Nutrition
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Projects:When applying for a role in food science and technology at Döhler, make sure to highlight any relevant projects or research you've worked on. Whether it’s a dissertation, a lab experiment, or a product development idea, detail these experiences to demonstrate your hands-on skills in the field—employers love to see practical applications of your knowledge!
Highlight Technical Skills:In the food science and technology industry, technical skills are key. Be sure to list any specific skills you have related to food safety, quality control, or food processing technologies on your CV. Also, mention any software or analytical tools you’re proficient in, as this shows you're ready to hit the ground running at Döhler.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:As this is a full-time position, your cover letter should convey not just why you want the job, but also how you fit into the company's vision. Talk about your passion for food science and how your background uniquely positions you to contribute to Döhler. Make it personal and compelling!
Include Certifications:If you have any certifications related to food science, safety, or technology, be sure to mention them. These can really set you apart from other candidates! List them prominently on your CV and discuss how they relate to the role at Döhler. It shows you're committed to your professional development.
How to prepare for a job interview at Döhler
✨Know Your Lab Tech!
Given that you’re diving into food science and technology, brush up on the specific technologies and lab equipment mentioned in the job description. Familiarising yourself with tools like gas chromatography or texture analyzers will show that you’re serious about the technical side of things.
✨Show Off Your Project Experience
Prepare to discuss any relevant projects or research you've undertaken in food science. Whether it’s developing a new recipe, conducting taste tests, or analysing nutritional content, having tangible examples can really show off your expertise and passion for the field.
✨Emphasise Your Soft Skills
Don't underestimate the importance of teamwork and communication in food science roles. Be ready to highlight instances where you’ve effectively collaborated with others or communicated complex scientific ideas clearly. This can make a huge difference in landing that full-time gig!
✨Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends
Make sure you’re clued up about the latest trends in food science and technology — think sustainability, food safety, and innovative processing techniques. Discussing these topics during your interview can demonstrate your enthusiasm for the field and how you can contribute to Döhler’s mission.