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 senior leadership, and opportunities for career progression.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with direct exposure to decision-making and growth potential.
- Why this job: Dive into a real commercial role and make an impact from day one.
- Qualifications: Degree in engineering and a knack for spotting commercial opportunities.
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
How to Apply
Apply with a CV and a covering note of no more than one page explaining why a sales career in precision manufacturing appeals to you, and what in your background — from any part of your life — demonstrates the commercial instinct to succeed in it. Applications without a covering note will not be considered.
Graduate Sales Trainee in Cannock employer: Goodfish Group
Goodfish Group is an exceptional employer that offers a dynamic and hands-on experience for graduates in the precision plastics manufacturing sector. With a starting salary of £32,000–£34,000, employees benefit from direct access to senior leadership, opportunities for long-term progression in commercial management, and a work culture that values individual contributions and fosters personal growth. Located in Cannock or Worcester, this role provides a unique chance to engage with diverse customer accounts while developing technical knowledge in a supportive environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Graduate Sales Trainee in Cannock
✨Get the Inside Scoop
Tap into your uni's career services – they often have connections with local businesses looking for trainees in sales and business development. Attend any relevant workshops or seminars; you might just bump into your future boss from Goodfish Group!
✨Network, Network, Network!
Join sales and business development groups on platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook. Don’t just lurk, engage! Comment on posts, ask questions, and build relationships with others in the industry – it’s a goldmine for opportunities that might not be listed on job boards.
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a personal website or a simple LinkedIn portfolio where you can showcase any sales-related projects or experiences. Include case studies from your coursework, part-time jobs, or even mock sales pitches to make yourself stand out when you apply to Goodfish Group.
✨Attend Industry Events
Keep an eye out for local career fairs or networking events specifically aimed at the sales and business development sector. These are perfect for making direct connections; you can show your enthusiasm face-to-face. Plus, you never know – you might meet someone hiring at Goodfish Group!
We think you need these skills to ace Graduate Sales Trainee in Cannock
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Communication Skills:In sales and business development, communication is key. Make sure your CV or cover letter highlights your ability to engage and persuade—think about experiences where you've successfully connected with others, whether it was in school projects or previous roles. We want to see how you can effectively convey your ideas!
Demonstrate Your Passion for Sales:When applying for a trainee role, it’s important to show your enthusiasm for the field. Share any relevant coursework, workshops, or experiences that sparked your interest in sales. We love to see candidates who are keen to learn and grow, so don’t hold back on expressing your passion for the industry!
Tailor Your Application for Goodfish Group:Each company has its own style and values. Take some time to research Goodfish Group and tweak your CV and cover letter accordingly. Mention aspects of their business that resonate with you, and highlight how your goals align with theirs. It shows you’ve done your homework and genuinely want to be part of their team!
Keep It Concise and Engaging:As a trainee, we know you’re just starting out, so keep your application clear and to the point. Avoid jargon and lengthy paragraphs; instead, opt for bullet points or short sentences that get your message across quickly. A well-structured application helps us capture your potential without getting lost in the details!
How to prepare for a job interview at Goodfish Group
✨Know Your Sales Fundamentals
Brush up on your understanding of basic sales concepts and methodologies. Be ready to discuss how you would approach a sales pitch or identify customer needs. They might ask you to role-play a sales scenario, so practice articulating your thoughts clearly.
✨Show Your Drive with Examples
As a trainee, showcasing your enthusiasm is key! Share examples from your experiences, whether in school projects or part-time jobs, where you've demonstrated initiative, teamwork, or a passion for sales. This will help the interviewer see your motivation beyond just skills.
✨Be Prepared for Behavioural Questions
Expect questions focused on your behaviour in past situations. Prepare stories that highlight your problem-solving abilities or how you dealt with challenges. The STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method can help you structure your answers effectively.
✨Research Current Trends in Sales
Stay updated on the latest trends in sales and digital marketing. Having knowledge about current tools or software used in the industry, like CRM systems or lead generation tactics, might impress the interviewers at Goodfish Group and show your commitment to learning the trade.
