Application Guide

How to Apply for Account Executive, Ingredients

at Permanent

🏢 About Permanent

Permanent is building a transparent, regenerative food marketplace focused on sustainable agriculture, distinguishing itself from traditional commodity brokers through its mission-driven approach. Working here means contributing directly to transforming the food system while operating in an early-stage, tight-knit team environment that values entrepreneurial thinking.

About This Role

This Account Executive role involves end-to-end responsibility for ingredient sales and supply chain management, from identifying enterprise accounts to negotiating contracts and coordinating global logistics. The position is impactful because it directly drives revenue while ensuring reliable, sustainable ingredient supply for customers, balancing commercial success with the company's regenerative agriculture mission.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve morning outreach to potential enterprise ingredient accounts, midday coordination with global suppliers on logistics and inventory planning, and afternoon work on contract negotiations or pricing strategies. You'd regularly collaborate with Operations on customer fulfillment while contributing to sales forecasting and strategy discussions with the early-stage team.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Permanent Is Looking For

  • Has 5+ years specifically in ingredient sales/sourcing with demonstrated success in categories like IQF, legumes, or specialty grains
  • Possesses an established network in food/agriculture commodities and experience with global supplier development
  • Demonstrates strong commercial judgment in pricing, margins, and deal structuring within ingredient markets
  • Is entrepreneurial and self-directed, comfortable operating in a lean early-stage environment without extensive support structures

📝 Tips for Applying to Permanent

1

Quantify your ingredient sales achievements with specific metrics (e.g., 'grew legume sales by 30% across 15 CPG accounts') rather than generic sales accomplishments

2

Highlight any experience with sustainable/regenerative agriculture suppliers or customers to align with Permanent's mission

3

Mention specific ingredient categories from the job description where you have expertise (IQF, legumes, grains, juices, purées)

4

Demonstrate your global sourcing capabilities with examples of supplier relationships you've developed internationally

5

Show how you've contributed to sales strategy in previous roles, not just execution, to match the 'shape the future of sales' expectation

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your specific experience in ingredient sales/sourcing and measurable results in relevant categories', 'How your approach aligns with sustainable agriculture and transparent supply chains', 'Examples of developing supplier relationships globally and managing complex logistics', 'Your ability to operate entrepreneurially in a lean, early-stage environment']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Permanent's specific approach to regenerative agriculture and how it differs from conventional sustainability
  • → Current trends in the ingredient categories mentioned (IQF, legumes, specialty grains)
  • → The competitive landscape for transparent food marketplaces
  • → Challenges in global agricultural supply chains that Permanent might be addressing

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk through a complex ingredient deal you structured from identification to contract negotiation
2 How would you balance margin optimization with Permanent's mission of sustainable agriculture?
3 Describe your experience coordinating logistics for frozen or dry agricultural ingredients
4 How have you contributed to sales strategy development in previous roles?
5 What's your approach to building relationships with both enterprise customers and global suppliers simultaneously?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Generic sales experience without specific ingredient/commodities background
  • Focusing only on sales without demonstrating supply chain/sourcing capabilities
  • Not showing understanding of or alignment with sustainable/regenerative agriculture principles

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

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Good luck with your application to Permanent!

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