At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage customer accounts and develop relationships while learning about manufacturing processes.
- Company: Join Goodfish Group, a growing UK precision plastics manufacturer with a focus on quality.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, access to company vehicles, and direct exposure to leadership.
- Other info: Great long-term career progression in commercial management awaits the right candidate.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a commercial role from day one, not just another graduate scheme.
- Qualifications: Degree in engineering and a knack for spotting opportunities; no prior sales experience needed.
The predicted salary is between 32000 - 34000 € per year.
Location: Cannock (Staffordshire) or Worcester — occasional travel to Group sites required
Salary: £32,000–£34,000 per annum
Contract: Permanent, full-time
About Goodfish Group: Goodfish Group is a UK precision plastics manufacturing group operating across four specialist sites in the Midlands and North Wales. We produce injection moulded and extruded polymer components for customers across medical, industrial, consumer, and infrastructure sectors. Annual Group revenue exceeds £27m and we are growing. We are privately owned, commercially direct, and run by people who take quality seriously.
This is not a graduate scheme with a cohort, a buddy system, and a three-year rotation. It is a real commercial role, in a real business, from day one.
The Role: We are looking for a technically credible, commercially driven graduate to join our sales function in a customer-facing capacity. The initial focus is account management: understanding our existing customer base, learning our manufacturing processes and capabilities, and becoming the first point of commercial contact for a defined set of accounts. Over time and as performance justifies it, the role will develop to include new business development, working to bring new customers and programmes into the Group. You will work closely with the Chief Executive and the wider commercial team. You will be expected to understand what we make, how we make it, and why that matters to customers.
What You Will Do:
- Manage and develop relationships with an assigned portfolio of existing customer accounts
- Understand customer requirements, programmes, and supply chain dynamics
- Work with our operations teams to resolve queries, manage lead times, and ensure commercial terms are met
- Maintain accurate records of account activity, pricing, and forecasts
- Identify opportunities for volume growth or new programmes within existing accounts
- Support the preparation of quotations and pricing submissions
- Develop a working understanding of injection moulding, extrusion, and polymer materials — we will train you, but you need to want to learn
- In time: identify and pursue new customer opportunities within target sectors
What We Are Looking For:
Essential:
- A degree in engineering (any discipline: mechanical, manufacturing, materials, polymer, chemical, or similar)
- Evidence of commercial acumen: we are not looking for a sales track record, and no prior commercial employment is necessary. What we are looking for is instinct: someone who has bought and sold something to make a margin, organised something to turn a profit, spotted an opportunity others missed, or simply demonstrated that they think about value, cost, and return in whatever they do. That can come from sport, a hobby, university life, a side project, or anywhere else, we are interested in the evidence, not the setting
- Strong written and verbal communication, you will be writing to customers and presenting internally from early on
- A full UK driving licence and willingness to travel to customer sites and Group locations
- Organised, self-starting, and comfortable dealing with ambiguity
Desirable:
- An understanding of plastic processing, polymer materials, or manufacturing more broadly
- Any experience in a customer-facing or B2B environment, however junior
- Evidence of having competed academically, professionally, or otherwise
What We Offer:
- A starting salary of £32,000–£34,000.
- Access to Group pool vehicles for customer visits — no need to use your own vehicle
- Direct access to senior leadership and genuine exposure to commercial decision-making from the outset
- A business where your contribution is visible and matters — not a large corporate where you spend two years on a rotation
- Long-term progression in commercial management for the right person, with pay reflecting it
Graduate Sales Trainee employer: Goodfish Group Limited
Goodfish Group is an exceptional employer that offers a unique opportunity for graduates to dive straight into a meaningful commercial role within the precision plastics manufacturing sector. With a competitive salary, direct access to senior leadership, and a commitment to employee growth, you will be empowered to make a tangible impact from day one. Our supportive work culture fosters learning and development, ensuring that your contributions are recognised and valued as we continue to grow in Cannock and Worcester.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Graduate Sales Trainee
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research Goodfish Group's products, values, and recent news. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in what they do.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills! Since you'll be dealing with customers and presenting internally, being clear and confident is key. Try mock interviews or presentations with friends to get comfortable.
✨Tip Number 3
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building relationships can give you insights into the company culture and potentially lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're proactive and serious about joining the team at Goodfish Group.
We think you need these skills to ace Graduate Sales Trainee
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see that you’re genuinely excited about joining our team and contributing to our success.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Graduate Sales Trainee position. Highlight any relevant experiences or skills that align with what we’re looking for, especially your commercial instincts and communication skills.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your written application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of what you want to say. Avoid fluff and focus on what makes you a great fit for us!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures it gets into the right hands quickly. Plus, it shows you’re keen to engage with us directly.
How to prepare for a job interview at Goodfish Group Limited
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand Goodfish Group's products and processes. Familiarise yourself with injection moulding and extrusion techniques, as well as the types of polymer materials they use. This will show your genuine interest and help you engage in meaningful conversations during the interview.
✨Show Your Commercial Acumen
Prepare examples that demonstrate your instinct for commercial thinking. Whether it's from a side project, a hobby, or even sports, think about times you've identified opportunities or made decisions based on value and cost. This will resonate well with the interviewers looking for someone who can think commercially from day one.
✨Practice Your Communication Skills
Since strong written and verbal communication is key for this role, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. You might want to rehearse how you would present information about customer accounts or discuss pricing strategies. Being able to communicate effectively will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Be Ready to Learn
Express your eagerness to learn about the industry and the specific processes at Goodfish Group. They are looking for someone who is organised and self-starting, so be prepared to discuss how you plan to develop your understanding of their operations and how you can contribute to the team right from the start.