Open to opportunities

Zoltán Pálfi

@zoltnplfi

I’m a HoReCa-focused B2B sales and account management professional, building long-term partnerships and delivering tailored growth solutions.

Hungary

Message

What I'm looking for

I’m looking for a B2B sales/account role in the HoReCa food sector where I can build long-term partnerships, drive business development through outbound outreach, and deliver tailored solutions that improve category and customer performance.

I’m an experienced B2B sales and client relationship professional with a strong background in the HoReCa and food industry. I bring proven track records in account management, business development, and customer engagement across international and domestic markets.

In recent roles, I’ve supported B2B sales activities within the fruit and vegetable category, assisted procurement and supplier coordination, and helped audit and optimize store operations and layouts. I also train sales staff to improve customer experience and collaborate with internal teams to strengthen category performance.

From 2019 to 2024, I managed HoReCa B2B client relationships and led outbound sales activities, including cold calls and client visits. I built long-term partnerships with key accounts, handled client inquiries and complaints, monitored market trends, and consistently achieved and exceeded sales targets.

Before that, I ran my own consulting business for HoReCa clients, developing products, recipes, and food concepts while delivering trainings and workshops. My earlier experience as a chef and corporate sales leader helped me connect product knowledge with customer needs—supported by CELTA and WSET Intermediate.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Vegetable & Fruit Sales Specialist

Current

Metro Hungary Ltd.

Nov 2024 - Present (1 year 5 months)

Supported B2B sales for the fruit and vegetable category by assisting procurement and supplier coordination, and auditing store operations and layouts. Trained sales staff and collaborated internally to improve category performance.

B2B Sales Category Management Sales Training Procurement Support

Brand Manager / Sales Representative

Bidfood Hungary Ltd.

Oct 2019 - Oct 2024 (5 years)

Managed B2B HoReCa client relationships and conducted outbound cold calls and client visits. Built long-term partnerships, handled client inquiries and support requests, and identified new business opportunities by monitoring market trends.

B2B Sales Cold Calling Customer Support Partnership Building

Gastronomy Consultant

Avocado Food Consulting Ltd.

Mar 2012 - Sep 2019 (7 years 6 months)

Provided consulting services for HoReCa clients, developing products, recipes, and food concepts. Delivered trainings and workshops and managed multiple projects through direct client communication and coordination.

HoReCa Consulting Product Development Recipe Development Client Communication Project Coordination Training Stakeholder Management

Lead Chef

Unilever Hungary Ltd.

Jan 2011 - Mar 2012 (1 year 2 months)

Supported sales teams with product demonstrations and client presentations, and delivered trainings for sales representatives and clients. Collaborated with marketing and sales teams and contributed to client-focused solution development and product work.

Product Demonstrations Sales Presentations Sales Training Cross Functional Collaboration Marketing Support Service Delivery

Freelance Chef & Consultant

Almaty

Sep 2009 - Dec 2010 (1 year 3 months)

Delivered catering services and consulting projects for clients. Trained staff, supported business operations, and managed client relationships and expectations.

Culinary Consulting Staff Training Client Relationship Management Project Delivery Business Operations Expectation Management

Freelance Chef & Consultant

Freelance

Sep 2009 - Dec 2010 (1 year 3 months)

Delivered catering services and consulting projects for clients, handling both service delivery and operational support. Trained staff, supported business operations, and managed client relationships and expectations.

Catering Services Consulting Delivery Staff Training Client Relationship Management Operational Support Project Delivery Client Expectation Management

Account Manager

Mood Media Ltd.

Aug 2007 - Sep 2009 (2 years 1 month)

Managed B2B client accounts and ongoing relationships by identifying client needs and proposing tailored solutions. Conducted prospecting and outbound outreach to acquire new clients and supported business development and revenue growth.

B2B Account Management Customer Relationship Management Prospecting Outbound Outreach Revenue Growth Support Business Development

Corporate Sales Manager

Gerbeaud Gastronomy Ltd.

Jul 2006 - Jul 2007 (1 year)

Managed corporate clients and event sales projects, conducting cold calls and outbound business development. Coordinated client projects from inquiry to delivery and built long-term relationships with corporate partners.

Sales Outbound Corporate Sales Event Sales Cold Calling Project Coordination Partnership Building

Chef (Commis to Sous Chef)

Restaurant & Catering

Jul 1998 - Jun 2006 (7 years 11 months)

Worked in high-volume restaurant environments, managing kitchen teams and daily operations. Planned menus, handled cost control, organized events, and ensured consistent service quality.

High Volume Management Cost Control Event Coordination Operational Management Food Preparation Oversight

Market Research Interviewer

The Wire

Conducted outbound cold calls and structured telephone interviews for market research projects. Engaged Hungarian-speaking participants and developed strong communication and objection-handling skills.

Telephone Interviewing Cold Calling Market Research Objection Handling Structured Interviews Communication Skills Language Based Outreach