GEA Group

Head of Bakery – Director level

GEA Group

full-time

Posted on:

Location Type: Hybrid

Location: Frisco • Illinois • New Jersey • United States

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Salary

💰 $140,000 - $150,000 per year

Job Level

Lead

About the role

  • Seeks to understand each customer’s needs, challenges, and goals, identifying their alternatives to get these addressed and ensuring that every proposed solution addresses their pain points and creates clear value.
  • Act as the primary steward of the customer experience within the assigned geography.
  • Coordinate equipment sales and service teams to consistently deliver on commitments.
  • Strengthen long‑term customer relationships while achieving GEA’s short‑term objectives.
  • Engage directly with customers through hands‑on selling and frequent in‑person meetings.
  • Dedicate significant focus (60% of time) to strategic customers and Key Accounts to ensure they receive tailored support and proactive partnership.
  • Nurture and grow customer relationships, ensuring existing customers feel supported and valued.
  • Expand the customer base through regular visits, lead follow‑up, campaigns, and promotions.
  • Map the market with a customer‑first lens.
  • Guide and coordinate day‑to‑day sales activities across all Bakery & EFT applications.
  • Champion customer satisfaction and service excellence, addressing and resolving major issues with urgency and care.
  • Develop customer‑aligned sales plans, budgets, and forecasts.

Requirements

  • Bachelor's Degree in Bakery Science, Engineering, or related field preferred
  • 7-10+ years' experience in Sales, Business Development or Project Management lead customer facing roles with direct target achievement responsibility and commercial strategy definition
  • Experience working in the Bakery industry is HIGHLY preferred
  • Experienced in international Sales required
  • Strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills
  • Strong understanding of legal and commercial contracting
  • Strong understanding of North America market dynamics
  • Fluent in English, preferably with a second language (French or Italian)
  • Ability to handle complex commercial and technical challenges
  • Ability to manage in difficult situations, and to execute under time pressure
  • Capability to design, implement and execute a holistic commercial strategy and be the lead for short cycle achievements
  • Ability to travel 50-75%
Benefits
  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage begins on your first day
  • 12 paid holidays , including a flexible floating holiday
  • 136 hours of PTO to relax or explore
  • A 7% 401(k) employer match helps grow your retirement savings faster
  • Tuition reimbursement to further your education or skillset
  • A wellness incentive program rewards healthy habits
  • Access to a confidential Employee Assistance Program for personal or professional guidance
  • Flexible Health Savings and Spending Accounts to manage out-of-pocket expenses
Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools
SalesBusiness DevelopmentProject ManagementCommercial StrategyNegotiationContractingMarket AnalysisCustomer Relationship ManagementSales PlanningBudgeting
Soft Skills
Customer Experience ManagementRelationship BuildingProblem SolvingCommunicationStrategic ThinkingAdaptabilityTime ManagementTeam CoordinationCustomer SatisfactionLeadership
Certifications
Bachelor's Degree