Key Account Manager – Food & Beverage (South Africa)

About the role

As a Key Account Manager at Givaudan you will work for a market‑leading flavours company that reaches billions of consumers daily. You will be based in Johannesburg and report to the Commercial Director for the Sub‑Saharan region, developing and executing a business plan for strategic food and beverage customers.

Key responsibilities

• Proactively generate new business opportunities and build a brief pipeline using Givaudan’s resources and capabilities.
• Partner with customers’ R&D and marketing teams to understand brand strategies and ensure Givaudan is positioned on core brief lists.
• Monitor flavour trends, competitive activity and product development to provide insightful market data.
• Develop key accounts, follow up on submissions, manage wins through production and launch, and deliver budgeted sales.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree or diploma in a relevant discipline.
• Minimum 5 + years of successful sales, business development or key account management experience in food/beverage ingredients, chemicals or a related sector.
• Established network and knowledge of customers and competition in South Africa; additional regional experience is a plus.
• Excellent oral and written English; additional languages are advantageous but not required.
• Proven ability to create strategic account plans, budgeting and forecasting.
• Strong relationship‑building skills with key customer decision‑makers.
• Team player with excellent interpersonal and presentation abilities.
• Willingness to travel frequently across the region.

Required skills

• Proficiency with common PC applications.
• Microsoft PowerPoint.
• Microsoft Excel.

What we offer

• Pension Fund
• Medical Aid
• Travel Allowance
• IP Bonus