About the Role
We are Europe's leading importer and distributor of authentic Japanese food and drink products, supplying many of the UK's best-known restaurants and retailers. We are looking for an ambitious Sales Executive to support and develop a portfolio of key foodservice accounts. This is an excellent opportunity for someone early in their sales career who wants to develop into a Key Account Manager within a growing international food business. You will work closely with UK restaurant customers, supporting commercial projects from initial enquiry through to product launch, while building long-term customer relationships and delivering profitable growth.
Responsibilities
- Support the day-to-day management of a portfolio of key foodservice customer accounts.
- Build strong customer relationships through regular meetings, reviews and communication.
- Identify opportunities to grow sales, improve profitability and expand product listings.
- Prepare customer presentations, proposals and business reviews.
- Support annual pricing reviews and commercial negotiations.
- Deliver agreed sales, margin and volume targets.
- Analyse sales performance, identify trends and recommend actions.
- Prepare forecasts and work closely with Supply Chain, Purchasing and other internal departments to ensure excellent stock availability.
- Support new product launches from concept through to implementation.
- Monitor competitor activity and market trends.
- Coordinate projects between customers and internal departments including Purchasing, Marketing, Technical, NPD and Logistics.
- Ensure customer requests are delivered accurately and on time.
- Manage product listings, promotional activity and commercial administration.
- Provide outstanding service to key customers.
- Resolve customer issues quickly and professionally.
- Maintain accurate customer records and sales reporting.
- Attend customer meetings, trade exhibitions and food events.
- Develop knowledge of Japanese food, ingredients and market trends.
- Support wider sales initiatives across the business.
Requirements
- Previous experience in sales, account management or another customer-facing commercial role.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects.
- Commercial awareness and willingness to learn.
- Good Excel and Microsoft Office skills.
- Full UK driving licence.
- Experience within the food industry, FMCG or hospitality.
- Experience working with restaurant groups or retail customers.
- Degree or equivalent qualification.
- Experience using ERP systems (SAP desirable).
Skills
- Sales
- Account Management
- Customer-facing commercial roles
- Communication
- Relationship-building
- Organisational skills
- Project management
- Commercial awareness
- Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Food industry knowledge
- FMCG knowledge
- Hospitality knowledge
- Restaurant group experience
- Retail customer experience
- ERP systems
- SAP
Location
- UK
Work Type
- Full-time
Experience Level
- Early career
- Willingness to travel
Education Level
- Degree or equivalent qualification
About the Company
- Tazaki Foods is Europe's leading importer and distributor of authentic Japanese food and drink products.
- For over 45 years we have worked closely with Japanese manufacturers and UK customers to bring high-quality Japanese products to restaurants, retailers and wholesalers across Europe.
- As part of Takara Holdings, we combine Japanese heritage with a growing international business, offering employees genuine opportunities to develop their careers within the food industry.
