Regional Sales Director - North & Central in Ashford

A fantastic opportunity is now available for a Regional Sales Director within the Commercial Independent Sales Team. Reporting directly into the Independent Director, you will offer leadership to a team of Regional Sales Managers who are responsible for developing the Independent Local markets across the North Central region. You will execute the strategic recipe for growth plan as well as deliver additional local growth activity appropriate to each individual RSM team. As part of the Independent Leadership Team, you will also be expected to lead key initiatives that drive overall independent growth and modernisation.

We are looking for someone with strong proven leadership, as this role is currently responsible for 13 RSM Teams and a wider team of approximately 100 that span across Your Way, BDMs & ASMs. It also requires strategic thinking as well as developing and implementing the Brakes approach within the regions, whilst working alongside the other regional heads in both Independent and Operations.

What you’ll be doing:

• Accountable for overall leadership of the North Central Leadership Team ensuring that both company profitability and customer requirements are met.
• Delivery of plan versus target – working closely with Finance to phase target across the year and measure/report performance versus plan across all channels and forecasting for coming months.
• Continuous focus and drive on share of wallet & New Business opportunities. Ensuring that we maximise all revenue opportunities and create ‘stickiness’ with our clients to retain them.
• Ownership of margin (% and cash) across portfolio. Work closely with finance, procurement & commercial directors to ensure that we maximise all revenue opportunities, specifically summer/winter pricing periods.
• Responsible for the annual sales budget development and achievement, ensuring maximum customer retention levels.
• Work in conjunction with HRBP to develop leadership team (specifically direct reports). Ensuring CMPs are in place for each team member with clear objectives and actions to develop Hi-Po talent, regular 121’s with direct reports and field accompaniments where appropriate.

We would expect any candidate to demonstrate all the following attributes & experience within their application as a minimum:

• Proven experience in leading sales teams to over deliver sales results consistently.
• Deep familiarity with sales enablement, the associated commercial drivers and the ability to create clarity, accountability and measurable uplift, whilst striking the balance between operational and financial discipline and sales ambition.
• High level of proven expertise in driving sales growth through Sales Force.
• High level of Sector knowledge and strong understanding of the industry.
• Commercially focussed and solutions driven – can demonstrate ability to drive plans & strategies to improve performance.
• Demonstrates strong financial acumen, can spot trends and proven to deliver results.
• Confident people leader of a large diverse and complex team with strong motivational qualities with the experience of leading leaders.
• First rate communication and presentation skills both verbal and written and able to influence, engage and challenge to Executive level.
• Strong team player who can work well with others and influence key stakeholders.
• Can demonstrate experience of embracing and influencing change.
• Able to work under pressure in a competitive marketplace.
• Have an exceptional knowledge of the Foodservice market.

Additional Information

At Brakes everyone is welcome. We don’t want you to ‘fit our culture’ we want you to help define it and we actively celebrate the unique talents of each and every colleague. We don’t just look at your CV, we’re more focused on who you are and your potential. As part of our values, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture where everyone has a voice, is appreciated and has the same opportunities. We work hard to ensure that everyone feels part of our business, as we care for one another and connect the world through food and trusted partnerships. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that everyone belongs and thrives at Brakes and we recognise that Brakes can only thrive when everyone feels they belong. We'll do everything we can to support you during your application. If you need us to make any adjustments to our recruitment process, speak to our resourcing team who will be happy to support you.

Brakes is built on a passion for food and feeding the nation, we are the UK’s largest foodservice supplier. Every day Brakes deliver the highest quality fresh and frozen food and ingredients from our nationwide network of distribution centres to some of the nation’s most famous pubs and restaurants, as well as schools, caterers, care homes and hospitals. Our customers depend on us, and our 8,000-strong workforce is dedicated and proud to be part of this vital provision. And we’re growing!