NZ Sales Manager

This is an exceptional opportunity to play a pivotal role in a company renowned for its commitment to quality, innovation, and technical expertise. As the NZ Sales Manager, you will lead a diverse team of professionals, foster meaningful connections with customers nationwide, and help shape the future of baking ingredients supply across the country.

What you'll do:

As NZ Sales Manager, you will immerse yourself in every aspect of leading a high-performing sales function. You will have the autonomy to shape strategies for growth, collaborate on exciting new product developments alongside technical experts, and represent the company at major industry gatherings. By combining your people management abilities with your commercial acumen and genuine enthusiasm for customer engagement, you will play an instrumental role in maintaining NZ Bakels’ position as an industry leader.

• Lead, mentor, and support a team of 36 professionals, including key account managers, bakery advisors, and customer services staff, to achieve shared goals.
• Travel throughout New Zealand to connect with existing clients, build new relationships, and uncover fresh business opportunities within the baking and food manufacturing sectors of New Zealand.

• Engage credibly with customers at all levels, ensuring their needs are met while collaborating closely with the Development & Applications team on product innovation.
• Manage key accounts by negotiating contracts and pricing agreements that reinforce NZ Bakels’ reputation as a trusted partner in the market.
• Drive commercial growth by identifying ways to improve product quality, increase sales volumes, and enhance profit margins across all channels.
• Represent NZ Bakels at prominent industry events such as product demonstrations, trade shows and presentations to key accounts.
• Work collaboratively with internal teams to develop tailored solutions that address customer requirements and support long-term partnerships.

What you bring:

To excel as Sales Manager at NZ Bakels, you will bring proven experience from similar roles where you have successfully led teams within fast-moving consumer goods or food-related sectors. You will be comfortable navigating complex negotiations while always keeping customer satisfaction front-of-mind. Your resilience ensures you thrive on the road meeting clients nationwide; meanwhile, your attention to detail helps you spot opportunities others might miss.

• 5+ years’ experience in sales and customer service leadership, preferably in food, FMCG, or related industries.
• Strong people management skills with proven success leading large teams.
• Excellent communicator and relationship builder, comfortable engaging at all levels.
• Commercially sharp, organised, and results-driven.
• Baking or food industry knowledge an advantage, but not essential — credibility in understanding products and processes will support success.
• Resilient, adaptable, and energised by travel, customer engagement, and market growth.

What sets this company apart:

NZ Bakels stands out as one of New Zealand’s most established names in baking ingredients supply—a company built on decades of expertise yet always looking forward through innovation. Based in Penrose, Auckland but serving bakeries nationwide (from large industrial manufacturing plants to artisan crafters), they offer more than just products: their technical support services include recipe development advice plus accredited training via their own Bakels Training School. Employees benefit from being part of a close-knit team where knowledge sharing is encouraged; there are regular opportunities for professional development thanks to their strong focus on upskilling staff. The company’s involvement in high-profile events like the annual Supreme Pie Awards reflects its commitment not only to quality but also to community engagement within the wider baking sector. For those passionate about food—and about helping others succeed—NZ Bakels provides an inclusive workplace where your contributions truly matter.

Robert Walters endeavours to review all applications in a maximum of five working days. If you have not received correspondence within this timeframe please do not hesitate to contact Rhys Collins on +6493747318.