At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive sales by winning new foodservice business and building long-term customer relationships.
- Company: Fast-growing foodservice distribution business with a strong reputation for service.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, uncapped bonus, company car, and flexible working.
- Other info: Autonomy in your territory with genuine progression as the team expands.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic role with leadership opportunities.
- Qualifications: Proven field sales experience in foodservice or FMCG, strong negotiation skills.
Salary: Circa £50,000 base salary + Uncapped bonus
Location: Field-Based – East & West Sussex, M23 Corridor & Kent
Benefits: Company Car + Uncapped Earning Potential
We’ve partnered with a fast-growing foodservice distribution business that is continuing to invest heavily in its people, commercial capability and future growth. Supplying restaurants, pubs, hospitality groups, bakeries and multi-site operators, the business has built a strong reputation around service, relationships and doing what it says it will do.
The Opportunity
This is a senior, field-led commercial role with a major focus on winning new business, developing larger accounts and building long-term customer relationships. You’ll be expected to get out into the market, open doors and target opportunities across pub groups, hospitality groups, multi-site operators and larger independent foodservice customers. This is not a desk-based sales management role. You will personally own a sales target, spend the majority of your time in front of customers and prospects, and play a key role in increasing market share across a strategically important territory. You’ll also have leadership responsibility, initially supporting at least one Area Sales Manager, while continuing to remain highly active commercially yourself, with the motivation to grow and develop a larger, highly successful team.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Identifying and winning new foodservice business across your territory
- Targeting larger independents, pub groups, hospitality groups and multi-site operators
- Building and converting a strong pipeline through prospecting, networking and face-to-face engagement
- Developing long-term relationships with key decision-makers
- Negotiating pricing and commercial agreements while protecting margin
- Growing existing accounts where appropriate
- Increasing revenue, product penetration and gross profit
- Supporting and coaching an Area Sales Manager
- Maintaining accurate CRM activity, forecasts and pipeline visibility
- Working closely with Sales, Telesales, Procurement and Operations to ensure customer expectations are delivered
About You
We’re looking for someone who enjoys being out in the market and creating opportunities. You’ll ideally bring:
- Strong field sales, business development or commercial account management experience
- A proven track record of winning significant new accounts
- Experience within foodservice, food, drink or a closely aligned FMCG environment
- Experience selling into hospitality, pubs, restaurants, leisure or multi-site operators
- Strong commercial understanding around pricing, margin and gross profit
- Excellent negotiation and relationship-building skills
- Experience coaching or supporting other salespeople
- Strong CRM and pipeline management discipline
- A full UK driving licence
Most importantly, you’ll be proactive, resilient, commercially focused and comfortable working autonomously in a genuinely field-led role.
Location & Territory
The initial focus is across East and West Sussex, particularly the corridor between Eastbourne and Worthing and upwards towards the M23 & Kent. Strong locations include: Crawley, Haywards Heath, Burgess Hill, Uckfield, Lewes, Hailsham, Eastbourne, Newhaven, Brighton & Hove, Shoreham-by-Sea, Lancing and Worthing. However, the territory can be adapted around the right individual, so strong candidates based across Kent, including Maidstone and surrounding areas, will also be considered.
What’s On Offer
- Circa £50,000 base salary
- Uncapped bonus / commission
- Company car
- Home and field-based working
- Real autonomy across your territory
- Opportunity to win and develop significant new accounts
- Leadership responsibility with scope to grow
- Genuine progression as the commercial team continues to expand
If you’re an experienced foodservice sales professional who still enjoys getting out into the market, opening doors and winning new business, this could be a brilliant opportunity to make a real impact within a growing organisation.
Senior Sales Manager employer: Found Recruitment Solutions Ltd
Join a dynamic and expanding manufacturer in Rochester, Kent, where you can thrive in a fast-paced production environment while contributing to innovative projects. With a strong focus on employee development, this company offers a supportive work culture, competitive salary, and the chance to grow your skills alongside new automated technologies. Embrace the opportunity for a stable, long-term career in a business that values quality and teamwork.
Contact Details:
Found Recruitment Solutions Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Sales Manager
✨Leverage Local Networking Events
Field sales is all about building relationships, so look out for local networking events or industry meetups. These gatherings are prime spots for making connections with potential clients and employers. Bring your A-game and chat about your experiences—first impressions matter!
✨Showcase Your Sales Success Stories
Prepare a couple of solid success stories from your past experiences in sales to share during interviews. Think about specific targets you hit or ways you went above and beyond for your clients. Don't be shy—these stories help illustrate your value to Found Recruitment Solutions Ltd as a field sales pro!
✨Scout Out the Competition
Research potential competitors for Found Recruitment Solutions Ltd and tailor your approach based on what you find. Understanding their sales strategies will not only help you in interviews, but also give you better talking points when you connect with current employees or industry pros on platforms like LinkedIn.
✨Apply Through Our Website
We know that applying through job boards is tempting, but hitting up Found Recruitment Solutions Ltd’s website directly can show your genuine interest. Plus, you might find some hidden gems or roles that haven't been advertised yet. So, make it a priority to check it out!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Sales Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Sales Savvy:For a field-sales role like this one at Found Recruitment Solutions Ltd, highlight your previous sales experience prominently on your CV. Use specific numbers to showcase your achievements—think along the lines of 'exceeded sales targets by 20%' or 'expanded client base by 50%'. We want to see your skills in action!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should reflect not just your enthusiasm for the role at Found Recruitment Solutions Ltd, but also your understanding of the field sales landscape. Talk about what strategies you've successfully employed in past positions and how they could translate to success in this new role. This is your chance to shine!
Emphasise Interpersonal Skills:Field sales isn't just about the sale—it's about building relationships. Make sure to highlight your communication and negotiation skills in your application materials. We’re all about someone who can connect with clients, so weave those soft skills into your CV and cover letter.
Proof of Performance:If you have any sales certifications or training, definitely include those in your application. They add credibility and show your commitment to growing your sales skills. We believe in the power of ongoing development, so don’t hesitate to include those details to stand out to us at Found Recruitment Solutions Ltd.
How to prepare for a job interview at Found Recruitment Solutions Ltd
✨Show Off Your Sales Savvy
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your knowledge of key sales techniques and terminologies. We can expect to dive into your past sales experiences, so be ready to discuss your approach to prospecting, closing deals, and managing client relationships. A few solid examples of your past successes could really make you stand out!
✨Know Your Product Inside Out
Having a solid understanding of the products or services that Found Recruitment Solutions Ltd offers is essential. We want to hear how you would convey the value of these to potential clients and address any common objections they might have. If you can tie your knowledge back to real-life scenarios, that'll make your answers even more compelling!
✨Flex Your Adaptability Muscles
As a full-time field-sales rep, your day can be unpredictable. Be prepared to share how you've adapted your sales strategies to different situations or client needs. We love to hear stories where you’ve had to think on your feet or adjust your pitch mid-meeting—this shows you’re not just a one-size-fits-all salesperson!
✨Plan Your Questions Wisely
At the end of the interview, we'll likely ask if you have any questions for us. Use this opportunity to ask about the sales team's culture and the tools you'll be using out in the field. This not only shows your genuine interest in Found Recruitment Solutions Ltd but also helps you get a feel for whether you’d thrive in that environment.
