Sales Manager / Technical Sales Manager in Northampton

JOB DESCRIPTION Sales Manager / Technical Sales Manager Job Title Sales Manager / Technical Sales Manager Location Corby, with UK and European travel Reports to Managing Director Start Date TBC Business Area Sales / Technical Sales Travel Up to 50%, including customer sites and Europe Employment Type Full time Scope UK focus with European opportunity Position Summary
This is a UK-based manufacturer of mechanised irrigation systems, including boom irrigators, hose reels, pump sets, control systems and associated equipment. With a high proportion of in-house engineering, the business delivers practical, high-performance irrigation and water management solutions across agriculture and specialist applications. We are seeking a commercially driven, technically capable Sales Manager to lead revenue growth, develop market opportunities and take ownership of customer solutions from enquiry through to specification, order, delivery and commissioning. The role combines business development, technical system design, customer relationship management and field-based delivery support. This is a key appointment intended to strengthen sales capacity, reduce reliance on the Managing Director for day-to-day sales and technical decisions, and create a stronger platform for future growth. Role Purpose
To drive sustainable sales and revenue growth by identifying opportunities, specifying technically robust irrigation solutions, managing customer relationships and ensuring successful delivery and commissioning in the field. The role requires an individual who can win the work, design the solution and stand behind it with the customer. Key Responsibilities
Sales & Business Development
• Take ownership of sales performance, revenue growth and agreed sales targets. • Proactively identify, develop and convert new business opportunities, including key accounts, tenders, partnerships and dealer/distributor channels. • Develop and manage a strong pipeline from enquiry through to order, with clear forecasting and follow-up discipline. • Build long-term customer relationships across agriculture, commercial and specialist sectors. • Negotiate and close business with full commercial awareness of price, margin, cost, value and customer need. • Provide regular sales forecasts, performance reports and market insights to senior management. Irrigation System Design & Specification
• Assess customer requirements on site, including water availability, flow, pressure, consistency, field layout, distances, topography, crop requirements and irrigation strategy. • Specify complete irrigation systems, including machine selection, hose reel and boom configuration, pump matching, hose diameters, nozzle selection, spacing and application rates. • Ensure technical integrity, practicality and performance of proposed solutions in real-world agricultural conditions. • Apply strong understanding of flow, pressure, hydraulics, pumps, hose sizing, nozzles and water application rates. • Stay up to date with product capability, industry trends and relevant irrigation technology. Commissioning & Field Delivery
• Attend customer sites to support installation, handover and commissioning of systems. • Ensure machines are correctly set up, calibrated and operating effectively. • Troubleshoot and resolve practical issues in real time, working with internal teams where required. • Provide customer training, operational support and clear handover guidance. • Capture field feedback to support engineering, product improvement and customer service. Aftermarket & Ongoing Revenue
• Develop additional revenue through spare parts, consumables, system upgrades and enhancements. • Maintain long-term customer contact to support repeat business, service opportunities and customer retention. • Identify opportunities to improve customer performance, water efficiency and system reliability. Internal Collaboration
• Work closely with engineering, production, purchasing, marketing, technical support and customer support teams. • Ensure customer requirements are accurately translated into build specifications, quotations and internal handover information. • Support a seamless customer experience from enquiry through to delivery, commissioning and ongoing support. • Provide market and product feedback to support future product development and improvement. Candidate Profile
Experience
• Minimum 5 years in sales, ideally within irrigation, agricultural engineering, water systems, machinery, pumps or related technical sectors. • Proven track record of generating sales, winning business and delivering against revenue targets. • Experience specifying and delivering technical systems in real-world operating environments. • Hands-on experience of installation, commissioning, field support or technical customer support would be a strong advantage. • Experience working with distributors, dealers, key accounts or European markets would be beneficial. Education & Professional Background
• Degree or equivalent experience in Business, Agriculture, Engineering, Water Management or a related field. • Practical industry experience may be considered equally valuable where the candidate can demonstrate strong commercial and technical capability. • English fluent. Another European language would be an advantage. Technical Capability
• Strong practical understanding of irrigation systems for different soils, crops and operating conditions. • Good understanding of flow, pressure, pump selection, hydraulic principles and system matching. • Knowledge of hose sizing, nozzle selection, application rates and irrigation performance in agricultural environments. • Ability to translate customer needs into robust, practical and commercially viable solutions. Commercial Capability
• Commercial and business orientation with clear focus on revenue growth and market development. • Strong negotiation skills in complex market situations. • Ability to manage pricing, margin and customer value. • Strong communication, presentation and relationship-building skills. • Confident preparing forecasts, pipeline updates and market feedback for senior management. Personal Attributes
• Practical, credible and confident with customers. • Results-driven with a strong sense of ownership and accountability. • Comfortable operating independently in both field and factory environments. • Strong problem-solving ability under real-world conditions. • Collaborative, professional and able to work across departments. • Willingness to travel extensively across the UK and Europe. Success Measures
• Delivery of sustained sales and revenue growth. • Strong and visible pipeline of new business opportunities. • Accurate forecasting, reporting and market feedback. • Technically reliable system specifications and successful commissioning outcomes. • High levels of customer satisfaction and repeat business. • Growth in aftermarket, upgrade and ongoing revenue opportunities. • Reduced dependency on the Managing Director for sales, technical specification and customer decisions. Why This Role Matters
The business currently relies heavily on a single individual for sales, technical specification and customer engagement. This role is critical to de-risk the business operationally, increase sales capacity and responsiveness, strengthen customer relationships and create a structured succession pathway for future leadership. Other
• Regular time will be spent both in the field and at the Briggs facility in Corby. • The role will involve UK travel and may include European travel depending on market opportunity. • The statements in this description represent typical elements, criteria and general work performed. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities.
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