International Sales Director jobs in Grand Rapids, MI

Job Summary:

Plans and directs marketing of organization’s products and services and the international sales of specialty protein products.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Compiles lists of prospective customers for use as sales leads based on information from a variety of media and sources. Follows up on all sales leads with existing customers and leads coming into company.
• Responsible for all products sold to soy sauce customers, both domestic and internationally. 
• Follow all procedures and policies to meet the requirements of CERT-ID EU non-GMO certification and Non-GMO Project Verification.
• Arranges competitive bids for bookings to foreign ports, arranges for bookings and assures accurate paperwork for export sales where appropriate.
• Conducts sales forecasting activities and sets performance goals accordingly.
• Makes bookings for export customers as needed.        Monitors for lowest cost freight balance against transit time, service, and quality.
• Monitors and trains Export Trade Coordinator’s export and non-GMO soybean meal activities. Assures export documentation is correct.
• Monitors letters of credit for accuracy and compliance with company policy.
• Consults with department managers to discuss and formulate plans for increasing meal and grain business.
• Coordinates sales materials and advertising with ZFS Marketing.
• Contacts executives/buyers of organizations to determine needs and to explain products offered by ZFS to meet those needs.
• Quotes prices and credit terms and prepares sales contracts for orders obtained. 
• Represents company at trade association meetings to promote meal products.
• Investigates and resolves customer problems with products and/or deliveries.
• Helps support and ensure compliance with company Safety/Environmental/Quality/HR program policies and procedures.
• Provides a “Customer Service” attitude when interacting with internal and external customers while accomplishing work, production, and achieving quality standards.
• Maintains a clean, orderly, and safe workstation/environment at all times.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Education and Experience:

• Education: Bachelor’s in Sales, Marketing, or related field.  
• Experience: 11 years
• International Sales experience required – preferably experience in the Pacific Rim.   Ability to speak Japanese preferred.   

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Proficiently working with various software programs. 
• Ability to travel to develop potential and existing customers. 
• Abide by all relevant SOPs as per Company policy as they are related to the position covered by this Job Description.
• Abide by company’s safety, quality, environmental and HR policies at all times.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

• Regularly required to sit and talk or hear. 
• Frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. 
• Occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. 
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. 
• Frequently required to use computers and visual requirements.
• Work is typically performed in an office environment.   Some travel required.