Business Quality Manager

The Business Quality Manager is responsible for the consumer’s first experience and interaction with our brand in the independent free trade. As such, they need to be professional, personable, and considerate at all times when dealing with clients. The BQM formulates and implements sales plans for the independent on-trade in key territories assigned. This position develops the company’s independent on-trade accounts on the south coast, to maximise sales revenue and profitability, based on pre-agreed targets. The position seeks new business opportunities within new account listings within the independent on-trade and works closely with the Marketing department to ensure sales are implemented in accordance with agreed brand plans. This role requires an enthusiastic person, passionate about coffee, with an interest in engineering/technical. The ideal candidate will preferably have experience servicing Coffee Machines, Vending Machines or similar, with a good understanding of electrical/electronics, basic DIY plumbing skills, and have a stable work history.

Key Responsibilities and Activities:

• Develops Account Sales Plans, based on brand plans, to target independent on-trade accounts that fit our brand’s profile.
• Maintains and manages portfolio of independent on-trade accounts with regular sales call cycle.
• Implements promotional activities and incentives to deliver results agreed.
• Maintains updated database of information on portfolio of independent on-trade accounts.
• Provides feedback on competitor activities and market trends in the independent sector and in target on-trade accounts.
• Conducts training sessions in on-trade accounts for the company’s focus brands.
• Completes all necessary administrative requirements, including weekly journey plans, monthly reports, customer contact reports and other reports requested by the Field Sales Manager.
• Passionate about growing your territory and becoming a strong networker across industry events.
• Building genuine productive relationships with customers and service partners.
• To carry out repairs, maintenance and refurbishment to all equipment (training will be given).
• Preventive maintenance of machines.
• Installing coffee equipment as per manufacture instructions.
• Calibrating machines when installed to ensure they operate at optimum levels.
• Providing effective telephone technical support when required.
• Attend reactive break down and repair call outs.
• Operator training (e.g. operation and cleaning of coffee equipment).
• To support colleagues and engage pro-actively with all areas of the business.
• Respond in a timely manner to reactive service, planned maintenance and installation calls in local area.
• Provide a professional courteous service whilst on customer's premises.
• Provide engineering excellence to all customers.

Education & Skillset:

• Solid working knowledge of MS Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate, verbally and written with people at different levels of the business.
• Clean driving licence.
• Fluent in English.
• Right to work in the UK.
• Knowledge and understanding/experience of repair of electrical or mechanical equipment.
• Background in electrical and/or engineering would be an advantage.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in the coffee industry.

Experience:

• Excellent interpersonal skills, including proven experience of influencing decision makers at all levels.
• Outstanding organisational and time management skills with the know-how to sell a solution to customers.
• Experience selling into the hotel, coffee shop and restaurant industry an advantage (HoReCa).
• Coffee/tea knowledge & passion.
• Team player but also with the ability to work autonomously.
• Prepared to travel to find new business opportunities within designated UK area.
• Sales/commercial experience, which could come from account management, new business, brand, ambassadorial or activation.
• They will have a high level of understanding of the on-trade as a whole, an established network within the on-trade, as well as the ability to drive a premium portfolio.
• The ability to establish and maintain an effective network within the sector at a local level and the tenacity to identify and seize genuine opportunity.
• Experience of electro-mechanical equipment.
• Some basic plumbing knowledge.
• Be able to work in a demanding environment - meeting deadlines while remaining calm and maintaining a professional approach.

Required Essential Competencies:

• Pragmatic and problem-solving approach.
• Can work independently.
• ‘Can do attitude’ and ability to work proactively.
• Excellent communication skills both oral and written.
• Team player with entrepreneurial business judgement.
• A proven working experience in sales consistently meeting or exceeding targets.
• Proven sales track record in hospitality, on-trade.
• Able to flex communication styles to meet customer needs.
• Flexible approach to working – able to accommodate early morning/late nights or weekends as required.
• Calm and personable approach with customers.
• Ability to lift and move machines and equipment (physically fit and able).