Regional Sales Director - Middle East

Company: This company is a well-established international developer and manufacturer of flavor and ingredient solutions for food and beverage customers.

The organisation combines creative, application, regulatory, marketing and manufacturing capabilities with an entrepreneurial culture and customer-led

approach. Following continued investment and regional growth, the company is seeking a Flavors Sales Director to strengthen its commercial leadership

and accelerate growth across the Middle East.

Role: The company is seeking an experienced Flavors Sales Director to lead the commercial strategy and performance of its Middle East business. Based in

Dubai and reporting to the regional Managing Director, the successful individual will take ownership of the regional business plan, sales results, key accounts

and new business development.

The role will lead a local team spanning commercial support, food technology, marketing and administration. It will also work closely with international

flavor creation, applications, evaluation, R&D and regulatory teams to deliver customer projects and strengthen regional capabilities.

The geographic remit covers the Gulf and wider Middle East, with responsibility for selected adjacent markets. The territory may extend into parts of Africa

as the business develops. This is a strategic and hands-on leadership position requiring someone who will set direction, develop the team and remain close

to customers, projects and market activity.

Main Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the commercial growth strategy for the Middle East flavors business

• Take ownership of the regional business plan, sales objectives and commercial results

• Deliver profitable growth across existing accounts and new customers

• Develop strategic account plans for major customers and priority growth accounts

• Build a strong pipeline of qualified and commercially attractive opportunities

• Identify new markets, customer segments, applications and product opportunities

• Build trusted relationships with senior commercial, procurement, technical and management contacts

• Maintain regular customer engagement through visits, project meetings and strategic reviews

• Lead customer projects from initial opportunity through technical development and commercial delivery

• Coordinate commercial, creative, application, marketing and regulatory resources

• Lead and develop the local flavors team

• Establish clear responsibilities, priorities and performance expectations

• Promote a client-focused, collaborative and results-driven working culture

• Strengthen local commercial and technical capabilities as the business grows

• Work closely with international teams to align customer needs, technical resources and business priorities

• Support the regional development of adjacent product categories

• Prepare sales forecasts, business reviews, customer visit reports and progress updates

• Monitor revenue, margin, pipeline development, conversion rates and account performance

• Track market trends, competitor activity and emerging regional opportunities

• Maintain clear internal communication and ensure agreed actions receive timely follow-up

• Travel regularly across the region to support customers, projects and team development

Key Requirements & Skills

• A minimum of five years’ sales and account management experience within the flavors industry

• Direct experience of the flavors market in the Middle East and/or Africa

• Strong knowledge of regional customers, market dynamics and commercial practices

• A proven record of developing accounts and delivering profitable sales growth

• Experience building and executing regional or country sales strategies

• Experience managing and developing a team would be highly advantageous

• Strong understanding of technically led and consultative sales processes

• Experience coordinating complex customer projects across commercial and technical functions

• Ability to translate technical capabilities into relevant customer solutions

• Confidence building relationships with senior customer contacts and decision-makers

• Strong commercial judgement, negotiation and communication skills

• Experience with forecasting, pipeline management and commercial reporting

• A proactive, entrepreneurial and hands-on approach

• A collaborative working style with the ability to influence across functions and cultures

• Strong planning, organisation and follow-up skills

• A bachelor’s degree in Science, Commerce, Business Development or a related discipline

• Fluent English is essential

• French and/or Arabic language skills would be advantageous

• Willingness to be based in Dubai and travel extensively across the region