- Highlight specific sales results, e.g. X% increase.
- Highlight key skills: negotiation, adaptation, market knowledge.
- Knowledge of CRM and Excel supports customer relationship management.
- Tailor your CV and objectives to the specific company you are applying to.
A sales person’s CV plays an important role in the recruitment process, providing information about the candidate’s skills and experience. In sales, especially in the food sector, the CV should demonstrate knowledge of the specific market and products and the ability to build lasting relationships with customers. The ability to quickly identify customers’ needs and adapt the sales offer to their expectations is also an important element, which directly influences sales success.
The document should also clearly highlight the technical and soft skills that make the candidate unique from others. A well-constructed CV captures a recruiter’s attention by demonstrating an understanding of industry challenges and specific achievements that a candidate can transfer to a new role. It is also a tool that can set the tone for the interview, making it easier to showcase performance and sales experience.
Key skills of a sales person in the food industry
Negotiation skills
A sales person in the food industry needs to be adept at negotiating, taking into account changing market conditions such as fluctuating raw material prices or fluctuating demand. The ability to negotiate terms that are favourable to both the company and the customer is fundamental, which contributes to building long-term business relationships and trust.
Rapid adaptation and flexibility
The dynamic food market requires the merchant to be able to react quickly to changing conditions. The trader must be flexible and ready to adapt the offer and approach to the customer depending on the current needs and market situation. Maintaining an ongoing dialogue and actively listening to customers is important for building strong relationships.
Knowledge of the food market
Awareness of both local and global trends in the food industry is extremely important. The retailer should be familiar with health and food safety regulations and keep track of changing consumer preferences. This enables him or her to position products more effectively in the market, anticipate changes in demand and adapt the offer to meet customer expectations.
Product and regulatory knowledge
In-depth product knowledge is the basis for successful sales. The salesperson must know the specifics of the products on offer and the quality standards in force, such as HACCP or ISO. It is also important to know packaging regulations, labelling and export requirements in order to be able to react quickly to legal changes and ensure compliance, which is crucial in the food industry.
Ability to build a competitive advantage
A trader’s ability to respond quickly to market needs and flexibly adapt their offering can make a significant difference in building a company’s competitive advantage. Knowledge of the market, products and regulations allows for better sales management, which helps to differentiate the company from its competitors and increase its market share.
Relationships and organisation: the secret of a successful salesman
A salesman must exhibit a balance of soft and technical skills. Both are important in order to operate effectively in a dynamic environment and meet the needs of customers, while achieving results that support the company’s growth.
- Building long-term relationships with customers
Ability to listen to customers’ needs, adapt offerings and build trust and long-term business relationships.
- Responding quickly to changing needs
Ability to flexibly adapt offerings and respond to changing market conditions and customer expectations.
- Effective organisation of work and time management
Planning activities in advance, managing multiple projects simultaneously and delegating tasks effectively.
- Quick order processing and response to changes in demand
Adapting work to a changing market, where fast response to orders and unexpected changes in demand is key.
- Maintaining records and reporting on sales performance
Systematic record keeping and reporting to help monitor progress and analyse performance.
- Familiarity with CRM and Excel tools
Proficiency in using CRM systems to support customer relationship management and the ability to work in Excel to help analyse data, forecast trends and optimise sales.
How to effectively present experience and results in a sales person’s CV?
The experience of a salesperson in the food industry should be presented in a clear way, with an emphasis on specific achievements. Rather than focusing solely on listing positions, it is worth highlighting the results that have been achieved, such as exceeding sales targets or project successes. For decision-makers, figures that illustrate the effectiveness of the sales person will be particularly important, e.g. ‘Increased sales by 25% in 6 months’. – such information allows you to quickly assess a candidate’s potential.
Presenting sales successes with concrete results is a key element of a CV. This type of detail shows the candidate’s real contribution to the company’s success, which sets them apart from others. It is also important to include information about key clients and projects that have had a significant impact on sales development.
Equally important is the ability to report results. In the food industry, where margins, raw material prices and demand matter, a sales person should be able to manage data and be familiar with the tools. The ability to create reports and analyses allows you to monitor progress, but also to adjust sales strategies, which has a direct impact on the company’s objectives.
How to attract the recruiter’s attention?
The professional summary is the main part of a sales person’s CV, which needs to be concise but at the same time strongly distinguish the candidate. This is your chance to grab the recruiter’s attention right away! Focus on your key achievements and skills that match the specifics of the food industry. Show that you have experience and competencies that can bring tangible benefits to the company. First impressions are key – a well-structured summary will encourage the recruiter to explore your CV further.
Align your career goals with the values of the company you are applying to. Show that you care about building long-term customer relationships and increasing your market reach – these are key in the food and drink industry. Aligning your aspirations with the company’s mission gives you an edge and increases your chances of success.
When it comes to interviewing, your CV becomes a living document. Use concrete examples, such as sales results or ongoing projects, to talk about your experiences and show how they have contributed to the company’s success. Consistency between what you have on your CV and your answers shows professionalism and a deep understanding of the organisation’s mission, which is sure to make a good impression on the recruiter.
How do you effectively prepare for an interview?
A job interview, like your CV, requires careful preparation. The beginning and end of the interview are the most memorable, so these moments are key. Your first impression – the way you introduce yourself, your confidence and your conversational tone – can determine the rest of the meeting. The ending, on the other hand, is a great opportunity to reiterate your interest in the position and emphasise your willingness to work with them.
How do you prepare?
- Get to know the company: Research the mission, products and customers of the company to which you are applying. Showing that you understand the specifics of the business builds trust and shows your commitment.
- Prepare answers to questions: Think through what achievements you want to highlight and how your experience can help the company. Focus on those that best demonstrate your value as a candidate.
- Ask questions: Prepare interesting questions about the company’s strategy, the challenges it faces or its work culture. This not only shows that you are committed, but also gives you a better understanding of whether this place is right for you.
- Summarise your strengths: At the end of the interview, highlight your key skills again and explain why you are the best candidate. Let the recruiter leave the interview confident that you are the right fit for the position.
Small gestures, big impact:
Eye contact, smiling and engaging in the interview make a huge difference. These details help build a positive relationship right from the start.
If you are looking for an inspiring working environment, full of growth opportunities and dynamic challenges, we invite you to apply to our company! We offer a wide range of sales positions – check out our current offers below and join our team.
