Hybrid Head of Bakery – Director level

at GEA Group

• Job title: Head of Bakery – Director level
• Job type: Full Time
• Experience level: Lead
• Salary: $140,000 - $150,000 per year
• Degree requirement: Bachelor's Degree
• Location requirements: Hybrid, Frisco, United States

About the role

• Director-level sales leader for GEA Group's Bakery Sub-Division, focusing on customer satisfaction and business growth. Requires extensive sales experience and expertise in the Bakery industry with significant travel.

Responsibilities

• Seeks to understand each customer’s needs, challenges, and goals, identifying their alternatives to get these addressed and ensuring that every proposed solution addresses their pain points and creates clear value.
• Act as the primary steward of the customer experience within the assigned geography.
• Coordinate equipment sales and service teams to consistently deliver on commitments.
• Strengthen long‑term customer relationships while achieving GEA’s short‑term objectives.
• Engage directly with customers through hands‑on selling and frequent in‑person meetings.
• Dedicate significant focus (60% of time) to strategic customers and Key Accounts to ensure they receive tailored support and proactive partnership.
• Nurture and grow customer relationships, ensuring existing customers feel supported and valued.
• Expand the customer base through regular visits, lead follow‑up, campaigns, and promotions.
• Map the market with a customer‑first lens.
• Guide and coordinate day‑to‑day sales activities across all Bakery & EFT applications.
• Champion customer satisfaction and service excellence, addressing and resolving major issues with urgency and care.
• Develop customer‑aligned sales plans, budgets, and forecasts.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Bakery Science, Engineering, or related field preferred
• 7-10+ years' experience in Sales, Business Development or Project Management lead customer facing roles with direct target achievement responsibility and commercial strategy definition
• Experience working in the Bakery industry is HIGHLY preferred
• Experienced in international Sales required
• Strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills
• Strong understanding of legal and commercial contracting
• Strong understanding of North America market dynamics
• Fluent in English, preferably with a second language (French or Italian)
• Ability to handle complex commercial and technical challenges
• Ability to manage in difficult situations, and to execute under time pressure
• Capability to design, implement and execute a holistic commercial strategy and be the lead for short cycle achievements
• Ability to travel 50-75%

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage begins on your first day
• 12 paid holidays , including a flexible floating holiday
• 136 hours of PTO to relax or explore
• A 7% 401(k) employer match helps grow your retirement savings faster
• Tuition reimbursement to further your education or skillset
• A wellness incentive program rewards healthy habits
• Access to a confidential Employee Assistance Program for personal or professional guidance
• Flexible Health Savings and Spending Accounts to manage out-of-pocket expenses