Sales Manager

Sales Manager – Technical Sales, Team Development and Commercial Growth

Are you a successful and experienced Sales Manager, organised and process-driven

Are you frustrated because you’re not being rewarded appropriately by your present employer

Do you have experience managing or coaching a small team, are you comfortable challenging underperformance, and have a strong track record of B2B sales

Are you commercially sharp, and thrive in a role that’s hands-on and focused on gross profit rather than just turnover

If this sounds like you, and you’re comfortable in a fast-paced SME environment, where things move quickly, standards are high, and accountability matters, then read on.

Our client is a fast-growing independent pump distributor, supplying customers across the UK. They are now seeking a high-performing, commercially minded Sales Professional to lead, coach and develop their sales function.

Experience in technical, industrial, construction, civils, drainage, utilities, plant hire, engineering, mechanical products, trade supply or similar B2B sectors would be highly relevant, but not essential.

Hours and Salary:

• Full Time, Permanent
• £55 – £65k basic + performance bonus (OTE £75k – £80k)

Benefits On Offer:

• A stable, growing company with clear direction
• Structured processes and leadership
• A supportive but performance-driven culture
• Opportunity to grow as the business expands
• Competitive salary based on experience
• Healthcare insurance after 2 years of continuous work
• Dental Insurance after 2 years of continuous work

About Our Client

They operate in a fast-paced technical sales environment, supplying customers across sectors including construction, civils, drainage, utilities, facilities management, agriculture, wastewater, flood response and general water management.

The Role

You will be responsible for driving sales performance, improving margin, developing existing and new revenue streams, and leading the day-to-day performance of the sales team.  This is not a corporate “sit above the team” role. It requires someone who is commercially sharp, technically curious, process-driven and comfortable working at pace in a growing SME.

Key Responsibilities

Sales Leadership:

• Manage, coach and develop the sales team
• Set clear expectations around response times, quote quality, follow-up and CRM usage
• Hold salespeople accountable to agreed standards
• Review open opportunities, quotations, stalled deals and missed follow-ups
• Improve conversion rates from inbound enquiries
• Help the team prioritise higher-value and higher-potential customers
• Create a stronger sales culture based on pace, accuracy, ownership and commercial awareness

Hands-On Selling:

• Handle inbound technical sales enquiries
• Speak directly with customers
• Produce quotes
• Follow up opportunities
• Close sales
• Support complex or higher-value enquiries
• Develop relationships with key commercial customers
• Step into the day-to-day sales function when the business needs it

Commercial Growth:

• Increasing revenue
• Improving gross margin
• Growing higher-value product ranges
• Increasing accessory and add-on sales
• Developing bundled and engineered pump solutions
• Supporting new product and own-brand opportunities
• Helping maximise strategic supplier relationships
• Identifying new revenue streams across commercial, industrial and technical sectors

Margin and Pricing Discipline:

You will be expected to challenge poor pricing, unnecessary discounting, weak margin, poor product selection and missed upsell opportunities.

CRM, Pipeline and Process Includes:

• Accurate opportunity tracking
• Clear next actions
• Timely follow-ups
• Proper customer classification
• Clean pipeline reporting
• No stale or abandoned enquiries
• Clear visibility of sales activity and performance

Supplier and Product Development Including:

• Supporting strategic supplier partnerships
• Helping launch and grow new product ranges
• Working with the team to improve product knowledge
• Feeding customer demand and market insight back into the business
• Helping turn supplier relationships into revenue and margin growth

The Person They’re Looking For:

• Hands-on
• Commercially sharp
• Technically curious
• Strong with people
• Confident managing and coaching a small sales team
• Comfortable challenging underperformance
• Organised and process driven
• Strong on CRM discipline
• Focused on gross profit, not just turnover
• Able to balance customer service with commercial judgement
• Resilient, proactive and self-motivated

Essential Experience:

• A strong track record in B2B sales
• Experience selling technical, industrial, mechanical or trade-related products or services
• Experience managing, coaching or developing salespeople
• Strong commercial awareness
• Ability to improve sales process and pipeline discipline
• Confidence using CRM systems
• Ability to work at pace without constant supervision
• Evidence of improving sales performance, conversion, margin or account growth

NOT Suitable For Someone Who:

• Only wants a desk-based management position
• Doesn’t want to personally sell or speak to customers
• Needs a large corporate support structure around them
• Is uncomfortable working in a fast-moving SME
• Avoids difficult conversations
• Focuses only on revenue and ignores margin
• Allows poor CRM discipline or weak follow-up
• Prefers theory over execution
• Is not willing to be accountable for measurable sales performance

Why Join The Company

The role offers the chance to have a real impact, shape the sales function, develop people, influence product and range strategy, and be a key role in getting the business to the next level.