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- Tasks: Lead a dynamic sales team and drive exceptional customer experiences in a zero-pressure environment.
- Company: Join Gravel Hill Car Sales, a family-oriented dealership with a stellar reputation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, uncapped commission, staff discounts, and career development.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and a supportive team environment await you.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the automotive industry while fostering a positive customer-first culture.
- Qualifications: Proven sales experience in automotive retail and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 65000 £ per year.
Location: Havant - Portsmouth
Reporting To: Sales Director
Salary: £65k OTE (£35,000 basic + OTE £27,000 Uncapped)
About Gravel Hill Car Sales
Gravel Hill Car Sales are a well-established used car dealership specialising in high-quality, competitively priced vehicles. We pride ourselves on having a unique family feel to our operation. With an extremely strong reputation for customer service and repeat business, we focus on delivering a transparent, relaxed and professional car-buying experience. Complete with an integrated service workshop, Gravel Hill Service Centre, we provide a fully packaged product to our customers, paired with an unrivalled customer service experience and no-pressure environment.
Role Overview
The Sales Manager is responsible for driving sales performance, supporting and developing a team of Sales Executives, and ensuring an outstanding customer experience. This is a hands-on role requiring both leadership and personal sales contribution. Our USP is a zero-pressure sales environment focused on retaining an exceptional customer review base - candidates must be able to adhere to the above non-negotiables. Help us strengthen our position in the race to become the UK’s most positively reviewed independent dealership.
Key Responsibilities
- Team Leadership
- Lead, motivate, and manage a team of Sales Executives to achieve and exceed sales targets.
- Support the team in structuring deals and handling complex customer enquiries.
- Monitor daily, weekly and monthly key performance indicators (KPIs), taking proactive action to address shortfalls in sales volume, margin, or F&I performance.
- Conduct regular 1:1s, coaching sessions, and performance reviews.
- Sales / Revenue Management
- Manage the sales process from enquiry through to vehicle handover & follow-ups.
- Achieve and exceed agreed monthly and quarterly vehicle sales targets through effective leadership, performance management, and structured sales processes.
- Maximise revenue opportunities through the sale of additional products.
- Lead and coach the sales team to consistently promote and sell F&I products, ensuring high finance, warranty and service plan penetration, embedding as part of the sales process.
- Drive dealership profitability by limiting discounts, maximising gross profit per unit, and maintaining strong stock turn.
- Ensure compliance with FCA regulations and dealership policies.
- Customer Experience
- Maintain high standards and ensure a customer-focused sales environment that supports repeat business, strong CSI/Review scores, and long-term retention.
- Handle escalated customer issues professionally and efficiently.
- Vehicle Preparation & Merchandising
- Work together with the preparation team & service centre to deliver fast turnaround & maximise vehicle profitability.
- Ensure all vehicles are presented and merchandised to the highest standards, both on the forecourt and online, with accurate descriptions, high-quality imagery, videos and aligned to our dynamic pricing strategies to attract and convert customers.
Key Requirements
- Beliefs
- Believes the automotive retail landscape is fundamentally changing, driven by evolving consumer expectations, digital disruption, and increased demand for transparency and convenience.
- Recognises that the traditional, negotiation-heavy sales model is often seen as stressful, time-consuming, and frictional for customers—and is committed to moving away from this approach.
- Values a customer-first mindset, hospitality-led customer experience where delivering a modern, enjoyable experience is just as important as achieving commercial outcomes.
- Experience
- Proven experience in a used car or automotive retail environment, with a strong track record of delivering against sales and profitability targets within a low-pressure sales, customer experience driven environment.
- Demonstrable experience leading, coaching, and developing high-performing sales teams; including setting clear objectives, driving accountability against KPIs, conducting regular 1:1s and performance reviews, and providing hands-on support with deal structuring, objection handling, and margin protection techniques to consistently improve individual and team performance.
- Proven experience driving the sale of value-added products, with a strong track record of improving penetration across finance, warranty, and service plans; including embedding F&I seamlessly into the sales journey, coaching teams to present products confidently and compliantly, and using data and KPI tracking to consistently increase conversion rates while maintaining a customer-first approach.
- Skills
- Excellent commercial and analytical skills, with the ability to interpret KPIs and drive performance across sales volume, margin, and F&I.
- Customer experience focus, with the ability to create a seamless, low-friction buying journey both in-store and digitally.
- Strong organisational, problem-solving and process management skills, ensuring consistent execution of the sales journey from enquiry to handover.
- Digital literacy, including experience with CRM systems, online merchandising platforms, and performance tracking tools.
- High attention to detail, particularly around compliance (FCA), vehicle presentation, and accuracy of online listings.
- Traits
- Proactive and driven, with a strong sense of ownership over customer enquiries, ensuring no opportunity is missed and every lead is followed through to conclusion.
- Highly responsive, with a natural urgency around customer follow-up, maintaining consistent communication to build trust and keep momentum in the sales journey.
- Customer-centric, with a genuine desire to create a positive, low-pressure experience that prioritises the customer’s needs over a hard sell.
- Results-oriented, with a strong focus on achieving targets while maintaining quality and compliance.
- Hands-on and supportive, willing to lead from the front and assist the team in closing deals and overcoming challenges.
- Adaptable and forward-thinking, open to new ways of working and embracing change in a fast-evolving retail environment.
- Detail-oriented and organised, ensuring nothing is missed across customer communication, deal progression, or vehicle presentation.
Working Hours
5 days per week, including Saturday 8:30am – 6:00pm (weekdays) 8:30am - 5:00pm (Saturdays) Day off during the week
Benefits
- Competitive basic salary with uncapped commission
- Pension scheme
- 23 days + bank holidays
- Staff discounts on vehicles and servicing
- Ongoing training and career development opportunities
Locations
Sales Manager in Hampshire, Portsmouth employer: Gravel Hill Motor Group
Contact Detail:
Gravel Hill Motor Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Sales Manager in Hampshire, Portsmouth
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research Gravel Hill Car Sales, their values, and what makes them tick. This way, when you chat with them, you can show off your knowledge and passion for their unique, customer-first approach.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in the company culture.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common sales scenarios. Think about how you'd handle customer objections or lead your team to success. Being ready to share real-life examples will make you stand out as a hands-on leader.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining the Gravel Hill family and ready to contribute to their stellar reputation.
We think you need these skills to ace Sales Manager in Hampshire, Portsmouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience that match the Sales Manager role. Highlight your leadership experience and any achievements in driving sales performance, as this is what we’re really looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about creating a customer-first experience and how your values align with our zero-pressure sales environment. Let us see your personality!
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your past roles, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to lead teams and exceed sales targets. Numbers speak volumes, so don’t shy away from sharing your successes!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our family at Gravel Hill Car Sales!
How to prepare for a job interview at Gravel Hill Motor Group
✨Know Your Numbers
Before the interview, brush up on your sales metrics and KPIs. Be ready to discuss how you've driven sales performance in previous roles, especially in a low-pressure environment. This shows you understand the importance of data in achieving targets.
✨Emphasise Customer Experience
Since Gravel Hill Car Sales prides itself on a customer-first approach, prepare examples that highlight your commitment to exceptional customer service. Share stories where you turned a challenging situation into a positive experience for the customer.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
As a Sales Manager, you'll need to lead a team effectively. Think of specific instances where you've motivated or developed your team. Discuss your coaching style and how you handle performance reviews to ensure everyone is hitting their targets.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions about how you'd handle specific sales scenarios, such as dealing with an escalated customer issue or structuring a complex deal. Prepare by thinking through your approach to these situations, focusing on maintaining a no-pressure environment.