Life Sciences Sales Executive in London

Salary: Competitive salary dependent on experience + bonus + company benefits + Car allowance

Location: Field based – London & South East England – Full UK driving licence essential (We are particularly interested in candidates based within London / M25 and surrounding areas)

Hours: Full-time, permanent

About Appleton Woods

Appleton Woods are a well-established supplier to the life science sector, supporting customers across academia, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, healthcare and research organisations throughout the UK. Due to continued growth, we are now looking to recruit an experienced and commercially driven Sales Executive to manage and grow our London & South East territory.

The role

This is a field-based, customer-facing sales role focused on developing existing accounts and winning new business opportunities across the territory. You will build strong customer relationships, generate pipeline opportunities and drive profitable sales growth across academia, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, healthcare, research and wider life science organisations. Working closely with internal teams and product specialists, you will ensure customers receive an excellent level of service and support throughout the sales process. Regular travel across the territory is required, along with periodic attendance at the Birmingham Head Office for meetings. Occasional overnight stays may be required.

Responsibilities include:

• Managing and developing existing customer accounts across the assigned territory
• Creating and executing account plans, contact strategies and customer development plans
• Identifying, prospecting and onboarding new customers across the territory
• Achieving agreed territory sales and profit targets, including targets by product category
• Conducting regular face-to-face customer meetings, site visits, demonstrations and product discussions
• Developing a strong understanding of customer needs, purchasing routes and future requirements
• Managing opportunities and customer activity accurately through the CRM system
• Working closely with internal specialists including equipment, microscopy and reagent teams
• Managing sales leads and progressing opportunities through the sales process
• Supporting supplier relationships, joint customer visits, exhibitions and product initiatives
• Representing Appleton Woods professionally at customer meetings, exhibitions and trade events
• Monitoring market activity, competitor activity and customer developments within the territory
• Reporting market intelligence, customer feedback and commercial opportunities
• Supporting pricing discussions, contract renewals and framework opportunities
• Working collaboratively with Customer Service, Internal Sales, Product Specialists and Marketing teams

Key Performance Indicators (KPI)

The role will be measured against a combination of sales performance, customer engagement and CRM compliance including:

• Sales Performance

• Achievement of territory sales and profit targets
• Achievement of product category sales targets
• Growth of existing customer accounts
• Acquisition and development of new customers

• Customer Engagement

• Achievement of meaningful customer interaction targets
• Completion of regular face-to-face customer meetings
• Development and execution of account plans
• Proactive pipeline generation and opportunity development

• CRM & Process Compliance

• Accurate and timely management of customer activity and opportunities within CRM
• Compliance with reporting requirements and sales processes
• Maintenance of accurate customer records and forecasting information

About you

• Degree in a life sciences discipline is essential
• Previous experience within a field-based sales, territory management, account management or business development role
• Experience selling into laboratories, academia, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, healthcare, research or life science organisations would be advantageous
• Strong commercial awareness and relationship-building skills
• Confident communicator with a professional and credible approach
• Self-motivated and able to manage a geographical territory independently
• Strong organisational and time management skills
• Comfortable working towards sales targets, KPIs and activity expectations
• Strong attention to detail and accurate CRM usage
• Full UK driving licence required

If you are a proactive and customer-focused sales professional looking to join a growing and respected business within the life science sector, we would love to hear from you. Apply now with your updated CV.