At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive sales growth and build relationships in the outdoor living and landscaping market.
- Company: Join a dynamic and ambitious company focused on innovative outdoor products.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, company vehicle, and career progression opportunities.
- Other info: Full training provided; we value energy and attitude over industry experience.
- Why this job: Be a key player in a fast-paced role with real impact on customer relationships.
- Qualifications: Sales experience and a passion for building relationships are essential.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
We are looking for a highly driven, energetic and commercially focused Area Sales Manager to grow our Outdoor Living and Landscaping product categories across the UK market. This is a field-based role focused on winning new business, developing customer relationships and driving sales growth across multiple product categories.
The successful candidate will be responsible for calling to:
- Garden Centres
- Independent Hardware Stores
- Builders Merchants
- Agri Merchants
- Landscaping Contractors
- Outdoor Living Retailers
- Trade & Construction Customers
This is a fast-paced sales role suited to someone who thrives on being on the road, opening new accounts and building long-term customer relationships. Industry experience is not essential. We are looking for a strong sales hunter with excellent energy, commercial awareness and experience selling multiple product categories.
Our growing UK product portfolio includes categories such as composite decking, fencing, balustrades, cladding, artificial grass, landscaping products, rubber matting, sustainable heating fuels and outdoor building products from Guardian Distribution and Guardian Building Products UK.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and grow sales across the UK territory
- Identify and open new customer accounts
- Manage and grow existing customer relationships
- Present and sell multiple product categories across the outdoor and landscaping range
- Build strong relationships with independent merchants and retailers
- Deliver product demonstrations and sales presentations
- Achieve monthly and annual sales targets
- Maintain strong call coverage across the territory
- Identify market trends, competitor activity and new opportunities
- Work closely with internal teams including purchasing, marketing and customer service
- Attend trade shows, customer events and industry exhibitions
- Ensure strong execution of displays, merchandising and promotional activity in-store
- Provide regular sales forecasts and pipeline updates
Product Categories
The successful candidate will be selling across a growing portfolio including:
- Composite Decking
- Composite Fencing
- Composite Balustrade Systems
- Outdoor Cladding
- Artificial Grass
- Rubber Matting & Safety Tiles
- Landscaping Products
- Sustainable Heating & Fuel Products
- Roofing & Outdoor Building Products
- Garden & Outdoor Accessories
Candidate Profile
We are looking for someone who is:
- Highly motivated and target driven
- A strong new business hunter
- Energetic, positive and self-driven
- Comfortable working independently in a field-based role
- Experienced in selling multiple product categories
- Strong at building relationships with customers
- Commercially aware with strong negotiation skills
- Organised with excellent territory planning skills
- Confident presenting products and promotions to customers
- Willing to travel extensively across the UK
Experience Required
- Proven field sales experience
- Experience selling into retail, merchant or trade channels preferred
- Multi-category sales experience highly desirable
- Experience managing a sales territory
- Strong track record of achieving sales targets
- Full UK driving licence
- Industry knowledge is not essential as full product training will be provided.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary
- Performance bonus structure
- Company vehicle / car allowance
- Mobile phone & laptop
- Opportunity to join a growing and ambitious business
- Career progression opportunities
- Dynamic and entrepreneurial working environment
Ideal Backgrounds
Candidates may currently be working in:
- Merchant sales
- Garden centre sales
- DIY retail sales
- Landscaping product sales
- Multi-category distribution sales
- Territory sales management
- Outdoor living or construction product sales
We are more interested in attitude, energy and sales ability than direct industry experience.
Area Sales Manager – Outdoor Living & Landscaping Products (UK) in Chesterfield employer: Guardian Distribution
As an Area Sales Manager with us, you'll thrive in a dynamic and entrepreneurial environment that champions growth and innovation. We offer competitive salaries, performance bonuses, and a company vehicle, alongside ample opportunities for career progression within our expanding UK market. Join a team that values energy, motivation, and relationship-building, ensuring you have the support and resources to succeed in your sales journey.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Area Sales Manager – Outdoor Living & Landscaping Products (UK) in Chesterfield
✨Leverage Local Networking Events
Field sales is all about building relationships, so look out for local networking events or industry meetups. These gatherings are prime spots for making connections with potential clients and employers. Bring your A-game and chat about your experiences—first impressions matter!
✨Showcase Your Sales Success Stories
Prepare a couple of solid success stories from your past experiences in sales to share during interviews. Think about specific targets you hit or ways you went above and beyond for your clients. Don't be shy—these stories help illustrate your value to Guardian Distribution as a field sales pro!
✨Scout Out the Competition
Research potential competitors for Guardian Distribution and tailor your approach based on what you find. Understanding their sales strategies will not only help you in interviews, but also give you better talking points when you connect with current employees or industry pros on platforms like LinkedIn.
✨Apply Through Our Website
We know that applying through job boards is tempting, but hitting up Guardian Distribution’s website directly can show your genuine interest. Plus, you might find some hidden gems or roles that haven't been advertised yet. So, make it a priority to check it out!
We think you need these skills to ace Area Sales Manager – Outdoor Living & Landscaping Products (UK) in Chesterfield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Sales Savvy:For a field-sales role like this one at Guardian Distribution, highlight your previous sales experience prominently on your CV. Use specific numbers to showcase your achievements—think along the lines of 'exceeded sales targets by 20%' or 'expanded client base by 50%'. We want to see your skills in action!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should reflect not just your enthusiasm for the role at Guardian Distribution, but also your understanding of the field sales landscape. Talk about what strategies you've successfully employed in past positions and how they could translate to success in this new role. This is your chance to shine!
Emphasise Interpersonal Skills:Field sales isn't just about the sale—it's about building relationships. Make sure to highlight your communication and negotiation skills in your application materials. We’re all about someone who can connect with clients, so weave those soft skills into your CV and cover letter.
Proof of Performance:If you have any sales certifications or training, definitely include those in your application. They add credibility and show your commitment to growing your sales skills. We believe in the power of ongoing development, so don’t hesitate to include those details to stand out to us at Guardian Distribution.
How to prepare for a job interview at Guardian Distribution
✨Show Off Your Sales Savvy
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your knowledge of key sales techniques and terminologies. We can expect to dive into your past sales experiences, so be ready to discuss your approach to prospecting, closing deals, and managing client relationships. A few solid examples of your past successes could really make you stand out!
✨Know Your Product Inside Out
Having a solid understanding of the products or services that Guardian Distribution offers is essential. We want to hear how you would convey the value of these to potential clients and address any common objections they might have. If you can tie your knowledge back to real-life scenarios, that'll make your answers even more compelling!
✨Flex Your Adaptability Muscles
As a full-time field-sales rep, your day can be unpredictable. Be prepared to share how you've adapted your sales strategies to different situations or client needs. We love to hear stories where you’ve had to think on your feet or adjust your pitch mid-meeting—this shows you’re not just a one-size-fits-all salesperson!
✨Plan Your Questions Wisely
At the end of the interview, we'll likely ask if you have any questions for us. Use this opportunity to ask about the sales team's culture and the tools you'll be using out in the field. This not only shows your genuine interest in Guardian Distribution but also helps you get a feel for whether you’d thrive in that environment.
