At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive sales and build relationships in the automotive aftermarket across the UK & Ireland.
- Company: Leading global automotive components manufacturer with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus scheme, enhanced pension, and company car.
- Why this job: Shape commercial strategy and make an impact in a growing global company.
- Qualifications: Experience in automotive aftermarket and strong relationship-building skills.
- Other info: Field-based role with genuine long-term career progression opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 70000 ÂŁ per year.
I'm supporting a leading automotive components manufacturer as they continue to strengthen their presence across the UK and Ireland. We’re looking for a National Sales Manager who can nurture and grow relationships with buying groups, national distributors, and motor factors, while driving commercial opportunities across a well‑established product portfolio.
If you’re already embedded in the UK automotive aftermarket and enjoy a blend of account development, strategic growth, and relationship‑building, this is a role with genuine long‑term progression.
What's on offer
- Salary – £60,000-£70,000 basic salary
- Benefits – Bonus scheme, Enhanced pension, Company car
- Genuine development and long‑term career progression within a respected global manufacturer
- Field‑based role covering the UK & Ireland
- Ideal locations: Central England, with the ability to travel to South Yorkshire on a regular basis.
The role
As National Sales Manager, you’ll take ownership of key buying group and national distributor relationships, ensuring strong commercial performance and long‑term partnership. Your responsibilities will include:
- Developing and maintaining strong relationships with buying groups, motor factors, and industry partners across the UK & Ireland.
- Creating account‑specific business plans aligned to wider growth objectives.
- Identifying new sales opportunities through sales‑out data analysis and competitor insight.
- Implementing strategic sales initiatives that build credibility and satisfaction with key accounts.
- Promoting new product groups, programmes, and value‑add initiatives.
- Working closely with supply chain and customers to support forecasting, product availability, and service levels.
This is a role for someone who enjoys being out in front of customers, building trust, and driving commercial outcomes through partnership.
Our ideal candidate
We’re looking for someone who brings:
- A strong background in the UK automotive aftermarket.
- Existing relationships or knowledge of buying groups, national distributors, and motor factors.
- Field sales experience with a blend of account management and new business development.
- A commercial mindset with excellent communication, diplomacy, and customer focus.
- Strong reporting skills and confidence with IT tools.
- Personal traits that include customer‑centric and service‑oriented, collaborative and solutions‑driven, trustworthy, professional, and committed to excellence, creative in approach and confident engaging at all levels.
- Willingness to travel across the UK & Ireland.
If you thrive on building partnerships and enjoy shaping commercial strategy with key national accounts, this role offers the platform to do exactly that.
Our client is a growing global company with a collaborative environment, where empowerment, agility and trust are key words. You will have opportunity to learn and grow, whilst collaborating with colleagues across the world.
Register your interest
To register your interest for this National Sales Manager position, please send your CV to Kayleigh Bradley at Glen Callum Associates Ltd or call Kayleigh for an introductory chat on 07908 893621.
Glen Callum Associates specialises in automotive recruitment, leveraging extensive industry expertise and a global network to connect exceptional talent with leading organisations worldwide. Glen Callum Associates is committed to creating diverse and inclusive workplaces. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, or background. We believe that a variety of perspectives makes a team stronger and a workplace better. If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know - we’re here to support you.
National Sales Manager employer: Glen Callum Associates ltd
Contact Detail:
Glen Callum Associates ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land National Sales Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Get out there and network! Attend industry events, trade shows, or local meet-ups where you can connect with potential employers and other professionals in the automotive aftermarket. Building relationships face-to-face can really set you apart.
✨Tip Number 2
Leverage social media to showcase your expertise. Share insights about the automotive industry, engage with relevant content, and connect with key players in the field. This not only boosts your visibility but also positions you as a knowledgeable candidate.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its competitors. Understand their product portfolio and market position. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate your genuine interest in driving commercial opportunities.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s a great way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always looking for passionate individuals who want to grow with us in the automotive sector.
We think you need these skills to ace National Sales Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of National Sales Manager. Highlight your experience in the UK automotive aftermarket and any existing relationships with buying groups or distributors. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to showcase your passion for building relationships and driving commercial success. Let us know why you're the perfect fit for this role and how you can contribute to our growth.
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your past roles, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to drive sales and develop accounts. Numbers speak volumes, so if you've increased sales or built successful partnerships, make sure we see that!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Glen Callum Associates ltd
✨Know Your Market
Before the interview, dive deep into the UK automotive aftermarket. Familiarise yourself with current trends, key players, and challenges. This knowledge will not only impress but also help you articulate how your experience aligns with the company's goals.
✨Showcase Relationship-Building Skills
Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully nurtured relationships with buying groups or distributors in the past. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, highlighting your ability to build trust and drive commercial outcomes.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
Be ready to discuss how you would create account-specific business plans. Think about how you can align these plans with broader growth objectives. This shows that you’re not just a salesperson but a strategic partner who can contribute to long-term success.
✨Prepare for Questions on IT Tools
Since strong reporting skills and confidence with IT tools are essential, brush up on any relevant software or tools you’ve used. Be prepared to discuss how you leverage data analysis to identify sales opportunities and improve performance.