Ohly is the third largest yeast extract producer in the world with sites in Germany and the USA. We develop, produce and deliver high-quality yeast-based flavours and specialty powders. Ohly is part of the $17.6bn turnover Associated British Food (ABF) Group. ABF is a broad portfolio of businesses which includes Primark, Ovaltine, Twinings, AB Enzymes, and is the world’s second largest producer of both sugar and baker’s yeast.

ABF takes a long-term perspective on investment and performance, and stimulates entrepreneurship by giving high degrees of autonomy to operational businesses. This means that decisions are taken as close as possible to their point of impact allowing teams the freedom to act, in order to be successfully flexible and fast. ABF invests a great deal in selecting and developing the right people for Ohly and the broader ABF group of companies.

We are looking for a highly motivated Technical Sales Manager to drive business growth and strengthen our presence in Japan / Tokyo. In this critical role, you will develop new business opportunities, deepen relationships with existing customers, and provide technical expertise in yeast derivatives and bionutrients.

This is an exciting opportunity for a commercially driven professional with strong technical acumen who thrives in a dynamic, customer-focused environment.
 

As a Technical Sales Manager, you will:

Business Development & Sales Growth

• Build strong momentum with both new and existing accounts to meet or exceed revenue, margin, and engagement targets
• Identify, target, and secure new business opportunities across key market segments
• Develop and maintain a robust pipeline including new accounts and expansion opportunities within existing customers
• Lead and execute strategic business development plans to grow market share in Japan and explore adjacent markets such as South Korea.
• Achieve growth targets for new products and applications

Account Management & Strategy

• Develop, document, and execute structured account plans and strategies
• Build comprehensive customer relationship maps to ensure sustainable and profitable growth
• Manage direct customers, distributors, and global accounts within the bionutrients platform
• Strengthen long-term partnerships by understanding evolving customer needs

Commercial Execution

• Lead negotiations and successfully close new business deals
• Coordinate requirements across internal functions to ensure successful contract execution
• Deliver accurate monthly sales forecasts and annual budgets, including variance analysis

Technical & Customer Support

• Provide technical support and guidance to customers, troubleshooting challenges related to yeast derivatives and bionutrients
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve customer issues efficiently, including dedicated Bionutrients R&D experts in Ohly's Hamburg headquarters, to resolve customer issues efficiently
• Deliver compelling technical presentations, demonstrations, and solution-based proposals
• Develop financial business cases for new product opportunities and applications

You should have:

• Proven experience in technical sales, business development, or a similar role
• Strong track record in prospecting, negotiation, and closing deals
• Demonstrated success in growing business at existing and new accounts
• Solid technical or market knowledge (preferably in fermentation, bionutrients, or related sectors)
• Excellent planning, organizational, and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels
• Business-fluent Japanese and English
• Proficiency in MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), CRM tools, and MS Teams
• Degree in chemistry, biology, fermentation science, or a business-related field

Personal Attributes

• Self-starter with a high level of motivation and accountability
• Results-driven with a positive, energetic mindset
• Strong team player with a collaborative approach

Nice to have:

• 10+ years of experience in sales or business development within bionutrients or fermentation ingredients in Japan
• Advanced degree in fermentation science, food science, or a related field
• Experience selling into enzymes, probiotics, or culture media markets
• Established network within the Japanese biopharma or fermentation industry

 
We look forward to your application including information about your earliest possible start date and salary expectations!