At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the sales team to drive growth and enhance sales processes.
- Company: Arthur David Ltd, an award-winning food service business with strong family values.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, hybrid working, 25 days holiday, and health care.
- Other info: Join a supportive environment with clear progression to Sales Director.
- Why this job: Shape the future of a growing company and make a real impact in the food industry.
- Qualifications: Proven sales leadership experience, ideally in FMCG or similar sectors.
The Opportunity: Arthur David Ltd — an award-winning, values-driven and expanding food service business — is seeking an exceptional Head of Sales to shape and deliver the company’s sales strategy at a pivotal time in its growth. Working closely with the Board of Directors and senior leadership team, the Head of Sales will take full ownership of the sales function, leading the sales team and driving sustainable and profitable growth.
The food industry has experienced many challenges over the last few years, but Arthur David has held fast to delivering quality, value and exceptional service, and as their competitors are increasing their prices, they have a great opportunity for further growth. We are looking for a commercially minded and motivational Head of Sales, with a proven track record of success, gained managing a regional or national field sales team. Experience in the food service industry is not essential, but you are likely to have worked within an FMCG environment (or similar), probably for an expanding SME.
The successful Head of Sales will enjoy a highly rewarding career where you are valued and empowered to make a significant impact on a forward-thinking company. This role offers genuine influence and a clear progression path to Sales Director.
Salary and Benefits: £(phone number removed) + bonus + benefits including company vehicle + 25 days’ holiday + 8 days (bank) holiday, company pension, hybrid/flexible working, health care, free parking, discounted produce, Christmas food box etc.
Location: The Head of Sales will be based in Hallatrow (BS39), 12 miles south of Bristol and Bath. While we are happy to facilitate hybrid/flexible working, we would like the successful candidate to live within an easy commuting distance, so that they can be hands-on and responsive to business needs.
The Company: Arthur David Ltd is an award winning and highly successful business with strong family values, that supplies fresh produce and fine foods to the catering industry across the Southwest of England. Adhering to core values of Customer Service, Quality, Teamwork, Excellence and Respect they put customer service excellence at the heart of everything they do and provide a trusting and supportive work environment. Operating over three sites in Bristol and Somerset they employ nearly 500 people and over the last 15 years their turnover has increased from £11 million to nearly £60 million.
Responsibilities:- Lead the sales function to deliver sustainable, profitable growth while protecting margins.
- Work with the Head of Finance to set sales and profit budgets, providing accurate forecasting to support purchasing, operations and financial planning.
- Review and enhance sales processes to maximise opportunities and revenue streams.
- Inspire, develop and performance-manage the sales team, setting clear targets, KPIs and expectations, conducting regular 1-2-1’s, supporting them and holding them accountable for delivery.
- Fully utilise sales, margin, and operational data to support decision-making and drive continuous improvement.
- Set, monitor and ensure the delivery of sales and profit targets by region, route, and salesperson.
- Manage the sales pipeline, reporting regularly on opportunities and conversions, manage key account customer relationships, support profitable account growth and monitor customer concentration risks.
- Oversee pricing and customer spend, monitoring rebates, understanding cost to serve (operational and transport costs/efficiencies) and adjusting pricing accordingly.
- Develop new business that fits operational capability and efficiencies and route density and delivery network efficiency.
- Present sales performance and strategic recommendations to the Board at monthly management meetings.
- Proven success as a Sales Manager / Head of Sales, leading regional or national field sales team.
- FMCG or similar sales experience, ideally gained within a growing SME.
- A collaborative team player and motivational leader.
- Commercially astute, forward-thinking and data driven.
- A confident communicator, influential at all levels.
- A proactive, creative self-starter with a hands-on, solutions-focused approach.
Dawn O’Shea is recruiting the Head of Sales directly on behalf of Arthur David Ltd so NO AGENCIES PLEASE. If you are successful in being short-listed, you will be contacted by telephone in the first instance to discuss the role and your requirements in more detail.
Head Of Sales employer: CV Elite Limited
Arthur David Ltd is an award-winning food service business that prioritises strong family values and exceptional customer service, making it an excellent employer for the Head of Sales role. With a supportive work culture, opportunities for professional growth, and a clear progression path to Sales Director, employees are empowered to make a significant impact while enjoying benefits such as hybrid working, generous holiday allowances, and a company pension. Located in Hallatrow, just a short commute from Bristol and Bath, this expanding SME offers a dynamic environment where your contributions are valued and recognised.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Of Sales
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the food service industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Arthur David Ltd thoroughly. Understand their values, recent achievements, and challenges in the food service sector. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your sales strategy and how you can drive growth for Arthur David Ltd. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate your success in leading sales teams and achieving targets.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Arthur David Ltd. Let’s get you that Head of Sales role!
We think you need these skills to ace Head Of Sales
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Sales role. Highlight your experience in leading sales teams and driving growth, especially if you've worked in FMCG or similar environments. We want to see how your skills align with what Arthur David Ltd is looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Mention specific achievements and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description. We love a good story that showcases your journey!
Showcase Your Leadership Style:As a Head of Sales, your leadership style is crucial. In your application, give us a glimpse of how you inspire and develop your team. Share examples of how you've set clear targets and supported your team in achieving them. We’re all about teamwork here at StudySmarter!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy – just follow the prompts and let us know why you’d be a great addition to the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at CV Elite Limited
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Head of Sales, you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of sales metrics and forecasting. Brush up on key performance indicators (KPIs) relevant to the food service industry and be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive growth in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This role requires a motivational leader who can inspire a sales team. Prepare examples of how you've developed and managed teams in the past. Think about specific instances where you set clear targets and helped your team achieve them.
✨Understand the Company Culture
Arthur David Ltd prides itself on strong family values and customer service excellence. Familiarise yourself with their core values and think about how your personal values align with theirs. Be ready to discuss how you would contribute to maintaining this culture.
✨Prepare for Strategic Discussions
You'll be presenting to the Board, so practice articulating your strategic vision for the sales function. Consider how you would approach setting sales budgets and enhancing processes. Be prepared to answer questions about your strategic recommendations and how they align with the company's growth objectives.