Sales Development Representative
Puris
At PURIS, we're dedicated to cultivating a better food system and making a positive impact. How do we do it? By transforming high-quality, USA-made ingredients into essential components for a wide range of everyday products. From cereals and snacks to protein beverages and beyond, our ingredients are powering a healthier future. This is more than just a job; it's an opportunity to be part of a growing food industry. You'll work with state-of-the-art engineering and work together with your peers to build a better food future.
Job Purpose
The PURIS Sales Development Representative (SDR) is the frontline engine of our commercial pipeline, serving as a critical nexus for growth and radical hospitality. Their purpose is to proactively generate and qualify opportunities across inbound (email, call, SMS, etc), outbound, and event-driven channels to keep the top of funnel humming.
The SDR combines prospecting discipline, resourcefulness, and customer empathy to engage potential partners early in their journey, educating them about PURIS’ capabilities, surfacing qualified needs, and handing off warm, high-potential opportunities to Sales Executives. This role also acts as "air traffic controller" by efficiently managing all incoming enterprise traffic, including customer inquiries and farmer/supplier communications, and maintaining strict CRM integrity to ensure data quality.
This role is accountable for pipeline growth, lead quality, conversion speed, and customer experience at the very first interaction.
Pay Rate/Range: $57,000 - $65,000 Annual
Pay Frequency: Biweekly
Bonus Eligible: Yes
Work Location: Minneapolis HQ & Innovation Lab
Travel: Minimal (<10%)
The compensation for this role will be based on qualifications, experience, market data, and internal equity. Actual pay may vary due to factors such as location, skills, education, and performance. Pay is determined transparently, using market benchmarks and ensuring internal equity.
Accountabilities
1. Market Segment Focus
- Nutrition – Target supplement brands, contract manufacturers, and sports nutrition companies; focus on ClearP, Performance Peptides, Blends, Services, and pea-based functional ingredients.
- Food & Beverage – Engage emerging and established CPG brands; promote proteins, pre-gel starch, and pea syrup solids for fortification, texture, and sugar replacement.
- Pet Food – Build leads with pet food brands, distributors, and co-mans; position PURIS proteins, starches, and fibers as sustainable, allergen-friendly alternatives.
- Industrial – Generate opportunities with paper, packaging, adhesives, and fermentation companies; emphasize starches, fibers, and upcycled by-products.
Act as the frontline scout surfacing prospects in each segment, ensuring balanced and strategic pipeline coverage across all four PURIS market domains.
2. Channel Execution
Inbound
- Rapid Response: Respond to all MQLs (from phone, email, tradeshows, SMS, etc.) within 24 hours.
- Deep Qualification: Qualify leads by rigorously determining Need, Timeline, Volume, and Strategic Fit.
- CRM Integrity: Ensure 100% complete and accurate CRM capture for every lead.
- Strategic Hand-Off: Schedule and secure meetings with the appropriate PURIS Sales Representatives and internal stakeholders (e.g., Seed, Ingredient, Blending Services, Corp Development, Supply Chain, and Administrative Services).
- Lead Management: Accurately Recycle or Nurture leads that do not meet the qualification criteria for immediate hand-off.
Outbound
- Strategic Lead Sourcing: Proactively identify and secure new leads using a diverse toolkit:
- Digital Platforms: Leverage LinkedIn Sales Navigator and senior leader networks for executive engagement.
- Data Intelligence: Utilize Rocket Reach and other AI-enabled data enrichment tools for accurate contact information.
- Market Research: Analyze SPINS and category databases to pinpoint relevant brand and product launch opportunities.
- Network Expansion: Generate referrals by actively soliciting introductions from customers, suppliers, and co-manufacturers.
- Run structured and automated outreach cadences (email, LinkedIn, call, content drops).
Events & Tradeshows
- Pre-show: Research all registered attendees, build prioritized target lists, and secure pre-booked meetings for Sales Executives prior to the event start.
- During show: Ensure all meeting outcomes and booth interactions are immediately captured and logged into the CRM in real-time.
- Post-show: Guarantee 100% of captured leads are dispositioned, qualified, and followed up within the 2-weeks of the show.
Referrals & Partnerships
- Proactively and systematically request high-potential introductions from the entire PURIS network (including suppliers, partners, investors, and co-manufacturers).
- Track and analyze the success rates of all referral sources and share data-driven best practices with the broader sales team.
Content & Campaign Follow-up
- Actively monitor and track prospect engagement across all PURIS marketing campaigns (e.g., content downloads, webinar attendance, LinkedIn interactions).
- Execute targeted follow-up with engaged contacts to rapidly qualify their specific interest and convert them into Sales Qualified Leads (SQLs).
3. Pipeline Handoff & Internal Collaboration
- Deliver sales-ready leads with comprehensive context, including: Target Segment, Sourcing Channel, Specific Need, and Estimated Potential Volume.
- Collaborate closely with Sales Executives to ensure a seamless and high-fidelity transition of all qualified opportunities.
- Prepare and present monthly reports detailing the health and composition of the pipeline, focusing on:
- Segment Mix: (e.g., Nutrition, Food & Beverage, Pet, Industrial).
- Channel Performance: (Inbound, Outbound, Events, Referrals).
- Follow up with engaged contacts to qualify for interest and convert them into SQLs.
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or related field.
- At least 1 year of applicable sales or sales development experience.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
- Familiarity with CRM systems a plus.
- Enthusiastic, self-motivated, and eager to learn.
Benefits:
At PURIS, we’re proud to support our team with a comprehensive benefits package designed to help you thrive both personally and professionally. Starting the first of the month after your hire date, you’ll enjoy access to Medical insurance plans starting as low as $31 per paycheck. We also offer dental and vision coverage, as well as free digital health care for all employees. You will also have access to Life and Short-Term Disability insurance covered for you at 100%, along with flexible health and dependent care spending accounts. Planning for your future? PURIS contributes 50% of every dollar you save, up to 6%, toward your retirement plan. Enjoy a healthy work-life balance with 80 hours of PTO accrued annually, 8 paid holidays, and access to a variety of other free resources at your disposal. Join us, and experience the benefits designed with you in mind!
Why Work with Us?
Career Growth: PURIS offers a dynamic work environment where you can develop your skills and advance your career. We are committed to nurturing talent and providing ample opportunities for professional development and growth within the company.
Innovative Environment: You'll have the opportunity to work with state-of-the-art engineering and cutting-edge technology. Our dedication to innovation means you'll be part of a forward-thinking team constantly pushing the boundaries of the plant-based food industry.
Strong Values: We uphold integrity and a global vision for the future. Our company culture is built on collaboration, excellence, and a shared commitment to our mission of creating a better food system. This commitment extends to fostering a workplace where safety is paramount in every operation.
Commitment to Sustainability: At PURIS, we are deeply dedicated to creating a sustainable future. Our manufacturing processes are designed to minimize environmental impact and promote regenerative agriculture. By joining our team, you'll contribute to a company that values sustainability and is committed to making a positive impact on the planet.
Join Our Team:
To apply for the role, visit www.puris.com/careers. PURIS is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are welcome, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. The hiring process includes successfully completing a background check, and drug screen. We E-verify all new hires.
No unsolicited agency submittals please. Agency partners must be invited to participate in a search by our Talent Acquisition Team and have signed terms in place prior to any submittal. Resumes submitted directly to any PURIS employee or affiliate will not qualify for fee payment and therefore become the property of PURIS.