At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and develop customer accounts while identifying new sales opportunities.
- Company: Join G&H, a leader in optical technology with a commitment to innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, structured training, and long-term career development.
- Other info: Gain hands-on experience with advanced optical technologies and enjoy excellent growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Build a rewarding career in sales within a dynamic technical environment.
- Qualifications: Technical background and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Location: Plymouth, Devon, UK
Business Area: Optical Thin Film Coatings
Customer Markets: Industrial, Aerospace & Defence, Life Sciences
About Us
G&H is a world leader in optical designing, testing and manufacturing. As experts in the technology of light, G&H works with customers to provide optical systems, assemblies, and components for demanding applications. Headquartered in Ilminster Somerset, UK with primary operations in the USA and Europe, G&H is recognised for the breadth of their acousto-optic, electro-optic, crystal-optic, fibre optic, and precision optic products. G&H is recognized as the preferred source for OEMs in the life sciences, industrial, and aerospace and defence industries, with a history of quality and excellence that dates back over seventy-five years. Our success is built on innovation, precision, and the talent of our people. We are committed to developing capability at every stage of a career, from apprenticeships and graduate pathways through to leadership development.
G&H | Artemis, based in Plymouth, UK, is a leading force in optical thin film technology, with our products integrated into everyday items from mobile phones to anti-reflection optical coatings.
Role Overview
We are looking for a motivated and technically capable individual to join our commercial team as a Sales Manager, based in Plymouth. This role is ideal for someone who can demonstrate the ability to work in a technical or engineering-led environment and who is keen to build a long-term career in commercial and sales. With full technical training and support provided, the successful candidate will focus on developing existing customer accounts and supporting the growth of new business within the industrial, aerospace & defence, and life sciences markets. The role has particular responsibility for sales activity linked to the Plymouth site, while working as part of a national sales team.
Key Responsibilities
- Support and develop existing customer accounts, building strong technical and commercial relationships
- Identify and pursue new sales opportunities with guidance from senior sales and technical colleagues
- Learn to sell optical thin film coating solutions, understanding customer applications and performance requirements
- Assist with quotations, proposals, and customer communications
- Act as a key point of contact for customers associated with the Plymouth site
- Participate in customer meetings, site visits, and technical discussions
- Build credibility with engineers, buyers, and project stakeholders
- Maintain accurate records of opportunities, enquiries, and forecasts
- Work closely with engineering, production, quality, and R&D teams to understand products and processes
- Learn how to translate technical capability into commercial value for customers
- Collaborate with the national sales team to support wider business objectives
- Develop an understanding of target markets, competitors, and customer needs
- Attend trade shows, exhibitions, and industry events as part of ongoing development
Required Skills & Experience
- Background in a technical engineering or manufacturing environment
- Ability to understand and communicate technical concepts clearly
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- High level of motivation and desire to build a career in commercial or sales roles
- Organised, proactive, and willing to learn
Desirable
- Exposure to industrial, aerospace & defence, or life sciences sectors
- Some experience working with customers or stakeholders (commercial, technical, or project-based)
Personal Attributes
- Curious, enthusiastic, and commercially minded
- Comfortable engaging with customers and internal teams
- Resilient and driven, with a strong appetite for personal development
- Able to work independently while being well supported by a wider team
What We Offer
- Competitive salary with development-focused incentive structure
- Structured training and long-term career development
- Opportunity to work with advanced optical technologies
- 25 Days annual leave plus UK Bank Holidays, increasing with length of service up to 30 days.
- Cycle to work scheme
- Health & wellbeing cash plan
Training & Development
- Comprehensive technical training on optical thin film coatings and applications
- Mentoring and support from experienced sales and technical professionals
- Clear pathway for progression within the commercial organisation
Notes: This job description is not intended to be exhaustive in every respect, but rather to clearly define the fundamental purpose, responsibilities and dimensions for the role. Therefore, this job description does not describe any individual role holder. In addition to the contents of this job description, employees are expected to undertake all other reasonable and related tasks allocated by their line manager.
The Company is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants for employment. The Company does not discriminate in employment opportunity or practices on the grounds of gender, race, religion or belief, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by national laws under which the Company operates.
Potential candidates should be aware that many of the employment roles at Gooch & Housego are subject to government security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities that you may have previously held and your place of birth, could restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All UK applicants must, as a minimum, be able to successfully complete security vetting to the UK government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard, which includes a criminal record check being performed. Many roles may also require higher levels of security vetting to be completed, where applicants must typically have been continuously resident within the UK for the past five to ten years.
Sales Manager in Plymouth employer: Gooch & Housego Plymouth
G&H is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Plymouth where innovation and technical expertise thrive. With a strong commitment to employee development, the company provides comprehensive training and clear pathways for career progression, alongside competitive benefits such as generous annual leave and a health & wellbeing cash plan. Joining G&H means becoming part of a collaborative team that values curiosity and resilience, making it an ideal place for those looking to build a meaningful career in sales within the cutting-edge optical technology sector.
Contact Details:
Gooch & Housego Plymouth Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sales Manager in Plymouth
✨Get Ready to Network Like a Pro!
Sales is all about connections, so dive into local networking events or sales meetups in your area. These gatherings are goldmines for making contacts and showcasing your enthusiasm. It’s a great chance to meet people from companies like Gooch & Housego Plymouth who could be looking for fresh talent!
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✨Leverage Social Media for Sales Roles
Follow and engage with industry leaders and influencers on LinkedIn or Twitter. Share your insights or interesting articles related to sales to get noticed. When hiring managers at Gooch & Housego Plymouth see you’re active in the sales community, it adds a bonus touch to your application!
✨Show Your Passion in Creative Ways
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We think you need these skills to ace Sales Manager in Plymouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Sales Savvy:When applying for an entry-level role in sales or business development, it’s important to highlight any relevant experience, even if it's from part-time jobs or internships. Showcase your ability to connect with people, understand their needs, and handle objections, as these skills are crucial for success in sales.
Quantify Your Achievements:Even if you don’t have much formal experience yet, try to present your accomplishments in a way that showcases your potential. Use numbers to describe your efforts – maybe you assisted with a campaign that increased social media engagement by a certain percentage? This can help us at Gooch & Housego Plymouth see the impact you could have in our team.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is a great chance to express your enthusiasm for the role at Gooch & Housego Plymouth. Share why you're excited about starting your sales career and what specifically about our company or projects appeals to you. This personal touch can really make you stand out in the applicant pool.
Keep It Professional Yet Approachable:While applying for an entry-level position, maintain a friendly and approachable tone in your application, especially in your CV and cover letter. Remember, we're looking for potential and attitude as much as experience. Show us your personality while being credible!
How to prepare for a job interview at Gooch & Housego Plymouth
✨Know Your Stuff About Sales Techniques
Get familiar with popular sales methodologies, like SPIN selling or the Challenger Sales Model. Having a good grasp of these will not only impress the interviewers at Gooch & Housego Plymouth, but it’ll also show that you’re eager to learn and ready to jump into this entry-level role!
✨Prepare Your Persuasive Pitch
As you're applying for a sales position, be ready to showcase your persuasion skills. Try preparing a brief elevator pitch about yourself that emphasises not just your background, but what you can bring to Gooch & Housego Plymouth. It's all about selling yourself!
✨Showcase Relevant Projects or Experiences
Even if you haven't worked in sales before, think about any relevant school projects, internships, or part-time jobs where you used customer service or negotiation skills. Be ready to discuss these in the interview as practical examples of how you’ve handled situations that are relevant to Sales Manager.
✨Understand the Product and Market
Dive into Gooch & Housego Plymouth's products and the market they operate in. You might face questions about how you'd approach selling a specific product or how you perceive the competition. Show that you've done your homework and you're already thinking like a salesperson!
