Sales Representative – Food Importer and Distributor Development

About the role:

RKFL is seeking commercially driven representatives to develop importer, distributor and channel partnerships for its packaged-food business. Canada and the United Kingdom are the immediate hiring priorities, followed by Australia and New Zealand. Candidates may apply for one market or a defined market cluster based on their proven network and execution capability; coverage of all four countries is not required. You will own commercial development from market mapping and prospect qualification through sampling, quotations, negotiation and order conversion, working closely with the RKFL India team.

Key responsibilities:

 Map the assigned market, priority customer segments and routes to market. Identify suitable importers,

distributors, wholesalers and grocery channel partners, including mainstream and ethnic food channels

where relevant.

 Qualify partners against product fit, distribution reach, buyer access, commercial capability and willingness

to develop the business. Prioritize credible opportunities and remove weak prospects early.

 Initiate targeted outreach, secure buyer meetings and present relevant products and commercial

propositions suited to the partner’s channel and customer base.

 Progress each opportunity through outreach, sampling, product evaluation, quotation, negotiation and

initial orders. Capture buyer feedback and follow through on agreed actions.

 Coordinate with the India team on product information, samples, pricing, minimum order quantities,

packaging needs and lead times. Escalate barriers and keep customer commitments within agreed authority.

 Develop visibility on existing distributors, portfolio opportunities and repeat-business potential, while

supporting the progression of trial orders into ongoing business.

 Maintain an accurate CRM or pipeline tracker with qualification evidence, stage, opportunity value, next

action, owner and target date. Report progress, risks and support required.

 Provide market feedback on competitor offerings, channel margins, pricing expectations and product gaps,

and participate in structured commercial reviews with the India team.

Experience and candidate profile:

 Preferably 5–15 years of relevant experience in packaged food, FMCG, grocery, food distribution, export

sales or route-to-market development.

 Demonstrated experience developing importer or distributor business in the assigned geography. Strong

Canada / UK market experience is the immediate priority; Australia and New Zealand expertise is also

welcome.

 Established access to relevant commercial decision-makers, supported by examples of partnerships or

orders personally developed and converted.

 Sound understanding of distributor economics, channel margins, product positioning and the practical steps required to bring a new supplier into a market.

 Strong prospect qualification, negotiation, follow-up and pipeline management skills, with clear, evidence-based communication.

 Ability to work independently within an agreed fractional commitment and coordinate effectively across

time zones with an India-based team.

Relevant backgrounds include commercial roles with food importers or distributors, packaged-food export sales,diaspora grocery distribution development, and independent sales agents with a proven conversion record.

Expected outcomes in the first 90 days:

 A clear market and channel map identifying priority segments, potential partners and the recommended

route to market.

 A qualified importer and distributor pipeline with decision-makers, commercial fit and documented next

steps.

 Active outreach and substantive buyer conversations showing measurable progression.

 Relevant samples under evaluation and quotations progressing with buyer feedback and follow-up dates.

 Early commercial conversion indicators, such as agreed trial requirements, active negotiations or initial

orders where the sales cycle permits.

 A practical account development plan covering conversion barriers, repeat-business opportunities and

support required from RKFL.

Market-specific activity and conversion targets will be agreed at the start of the engagement. Reviews will

consider the quality of opportunities and commercial movement alongside activity levels.

Engagement and compensation:

Compensation comprises a modest fixed retainer plus output-linked variable remuneration, with a strong

emphasis on verified commercial progression and conversion. Retainer, variable structure, time commitment, territory and payment milestones will be agreed before engagement.

Progress will be reviewed monthly, with a formal review at 90 days and a continuation or scale-up decision at180 days based on results. Any territory exclusivity requires a separate, expressly agreed arrangement.

Application details:

Please share your CV or professional profile, preferred market or cluster, current location, relevant importer or distributor development experience, two or three examples of business converted, availability and expected retainer or commercial arrangement.