Ingredient Trader Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Technical Ingredient Sales SpecialistProcessed Fruit & Vegetable IngredientsHelp food and beverage manufacturers solve ingredient sourcing challenges around the world.Encore Fruit Marketing is looking for a technically minded professional to join our team as a Technical Ingredient Sales Specialist. This is an opportunity for someone with a background in food science, product development, food processing, quality, applications, manufacturing, or ingredient procurement to apply that experience in a customer-facing sales & marketing role.Unlike a traditional ingredient manufacturer, Encore represents a global network of fruit and vegetable processors. We work with food and beverage manufacturers to understand their applications and connect them with the right processing partner based on specifications, availability, quality, and cost.This is not a traditional sales position built around cold calls and quotas. It is a Sales & Marketing role centered on problem-solving, sourcing, relationship-building, and becoming a trusted resource for customers, suppliers, and the Encore sales team. The business development side is still an essential part of the role, but it starts with understanding what the customer needs, identifying and sourcing the right products or processing partners, and helping them find the best solution.What You?ll Do Work directly with food and beverage manufacturers to solve ingredient sourcing and supply-chain challenges. Help customers source processed fruit and vegetable ingredients, including juices, purees, concentrates, IQF products, and more. Communicate with customers? R&D, purchasing, operations, quality, and procurement teams to understand technical and commercial requirements. Develop relationships with processors around the world and match customer needs with the right supplier. Coordinate samples, technical documentation, and product development support. Visit existing and prospective processors to evaluate their capabilities and determine whether they may be a good fit for Encore?s supplier network. Stay informed about crop conditions, global supply chains, market trends, and other developments that influence sourcing decisions. Visit customers and suppliers and attend industry trade shows to strengthen relationships and identify new opportunities. Serve as a technical resource for customers, suppliers, and the Encore sales team.What We?re Looking ForPrevious sales experience is not essential. We?re more interested in a motivated self-starter with food and beverage industry knowledge - preferably within fruit and vegetable processing - along with curiosity, sound judgment, strong communication skills, and the ability to build lasting relationships.Relevant backgrounds may include: Food science Fruit and vegetable processing Quality assurance Ingredient sales and/or procurement Technical services Project management within the food and beverage industryThe right candidate will also be comfortable: Learning about new ingredients, applications, processes, and food categories Solving technical, sourcing, and supply-chain challenges Exploring and contacting new potential customers Communicating technical information in a practical and approachable way to other sales team members as well as customers and fruit processors Building long-term relationships with customers and suppliers Working independently while collaborating with colleagues and external partnersPreferred Qualifications Bachelor?s degree in food science or a related field, or equivalent industry experience Experience working in the fruit processing industry Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills Willingness to travel for customer meetings, supplier visits, and industry eventsWhy Encore?Encore is a small, close-knit company with a broad international reach. We take our work seriously, but we also value a friendly, collaborative environment where people can enjoy working together and maintain a healthy life outside of work.You?ll represent a diverse network of fruit and vegetable processors instead of being limited to a single manufacturer?s product line. You?ll gain exposure to ingredients and processing capabilities from around the world while working with customers across a wide range of food and beverage categories.One week you may be helping a beverage company source a juice concentrate. The next, you could be assisting a baby food manufacturer with a fruit puree or identifying an alternative supplier during a crop shortage. The work changes constantly, and your technical knowledge and problem-solving skills will directly help customers bring products to market.Salary range: $65,000 - $120,000 annually, depending on experience.Candidates must currently reside in the United States. Relocation assistance or a cost-of-living adjustment may be available for candidates relocating to Southern California.Relocation assistance or a cost-of-living adjustment may be available for candidates relocating to Southern California.