Sales Development Representative - Food & Beverage

About Avam Avam Sciences develops modern testing technologies across molecular biology, microbiology, and applied life sciences. We help laboratories and manufacturers improve testing reliability, throughput, and operational efficiency, turning complex science into practical solutions that work at scale. We are expanding our Food & Beverage team and seeking a Sales Development Representative to identify new customers, initiate meaningful conversations, and build qualified sales opportunities. The Role As the Sales Development Representative for Food & Beverage, you will introduce Avam’s testing portfolio to food and beverage manufacturers, co-packers, contract manufacturers, and third-party food testing laboratories. Your focus will include three primary application areas: - Pathogen detection: Molecular and microbiological testing products for organisms such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria. - Spoilage-organism monitoring: Products supporting the detection of yeasts, molds, and other microorganisms that affect product quality and shelf life. - Quality-control testing: Products supporting routine microbiological testing across raw materials, production environments, and finished products. These customers run ongoing testing programs that support food safety, product quality, and manufacturing operations. Reliable testing, dependable product supply, efficient laboratory workflows, and responsive technical support are central to their purchasing decisions. Your job is to identify the right organizations and decision-makers, understand their needs, and connect qualified prospects with Avam’s Account Executive and technical team. This is a sales development role focused on scientific and laboratory products. You will own prospecting and early qualification, while partnering with the Account Executive responsible for customer evaluations, proposals, negotiations, and closing. The Opportunity You will help build Avam’s Food & Beverage vertical while working with the company’s sales technology, marketing resources, and scientific expertise. Working closely with the vertical’s Account Executive, you will help shape target-account strategy, test outreach messaging, identify promising customer segments, and establish a repeatable approach to generating opportunities. For someone interested in building a career in scientific sales, this role offers hands-on commercial experience and opportunities to progress into Account Executive, account management, or sales development leadership roles as the business grows and performance supports advancement. What You’ll Own - Research and prioritize target accounts across food and beverage manufacturing, co-packing, contract manufacturing, and third-party food testing. - Identify relevant decision-makers, including food safety leaders, QA/QC managers, laboratory directors, microbiologists, plant leadership, and procurement stakeholders. - Execute consistent, personalized outreach through phone calls, email, LinkedIn, and other appropriate channels. - Start conversations around customers’ testing programs, current suppliers, purchasing needs, and operational challenges. - Communicate the value of Avam’s culture media, molecular assays, reagents, and related testing products in clear, customer-relevant terms. - Qualify prospects based on application fit, testing needs, purchasing processes, timing, and willingness to evaluate alternative products or suppliers. - Identify whether prospects perform testing internally, outsource it, or use a combination of both, and tailor conversations accordingly. - Schedule qualified discovery meetings and coordinate clear handoffs to the Account Executive, including relevant account research and conversation notes. - Follow up promptly on inbound inquiries, marketing responses, event contacts, and prospects who are not yet ready to purchase. - Partner with the Account Executive to refine account priorities, outreach sequences, and messaging based on prospect feedback. - Maintain accurate contact records, activities, qualification notes, and next steps in the CRM. - Involve scientific specialists when conversations require detailed technical guidance or application-specific evaluation. Requirements What We’re Looking For - Experience in sales development, inside sales, business development, or customer-facing work, preferably involving laboratory products, food and beverage manufacturing, food safety, or related technical markets. - Candidates with food science, microbiology, laboratory, or quality-control experience who demonstrate strong communication skills and a clear interest in commercial work are also encouraged to apply. - Confidence initiating conversations with new people, including through outbound phone calls. - The ability to research an organization, identify relevant contacts, and tailor outreach to its operations. - Curiosity about food safety, microbiology, and the role testing plays in manufacturing and product quality. - Clear written and verbal communication, strong listening skills, and professional follow-through. - Organization and discipline in managing multiple accounts, outreach activities, and follow-up commitments. - Resilience, receptiveness to coaching, and the ability to learn from rejection and improve. - A collaborative approach to working with Account Executives, marketing, product specialists, and scientific teams. Nice to Have Experience with food microbiology, pathogen testing, spoilage monitoring, environmental monitoring within food production facilities, culture media, or laboratory consumables is valuable. Familiarity with CRM systems, sales engagement tools, and structured outbound prospecting is also beneficial. A degree in food science, microbiology, biology, chemistry, business, or a related field is helpful but not required. How Success Will Be Measured Success means generating meaningful commercial opportunities, not simply booking meetings. You will be evaluated on: - Qualified discovery meetings that take place with relevant prospects. - Opportunities accepted by the Account Executive and their progression into the sales pipeline. - Consistent, thoughtful prospecting and timely follow-up. - Accurate CRM records and well-prepared account handoffs. - Growing knowledge of Avam’s products, customer applications, and purchasing drivers. - Contributions to improving the vertical’s targeting and outreach approach. Benefits Benefits & Career Growth At Avam, we invest in your well-being, financial future, and professional growth. Benefits for eligible employees include: - Health coverage: Medical, dental, and vision plans, targeting 100% company paid employee only premiums and a company contribution toward family premiums. - Retirement savings: A 401(k) with a dollar-for-dollar company match on employee contributions up to 5% of eligible compensation. - Time to recharge: Unlimited paid time off, subject to manager approval, plus company holidays and all federal holidays. - Career development: Training, mentorship, and opportunities to expand your responsibilities and pursue leadership or other career paths as Avam grows. Benefits are subject to eligibility, applicable plan terms, and company policies.