Area Sales Manager (UK South)

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Area Sales Manager (UK South) to join our Sales Team at one of the world’s leading specialist audio brands, KEF. You will be accountable to manage key accounts and retail operations within your region, proactive management and development of the multi-channel business, as well as the development of new target trading partners. This role is home based with frequent travel across the South of England; to the key account clients, to our Maidstone office, the home of KEF, and our London office will also be required on occasion.

If you’re a self-motivated sales professional who thrives on performance, loves to go beyond expectations, and wants to represent a market-leading British loudspeaker brand in its home market, this is the role for you.

KEF is a 60-year-old UK-based company that has earned a reputation as the premier manufacturer of stunning, audiophile-quality audio solutions for modern home theatre, hi-fi, custom installation & personal use applications. KEF products are distributed around the world and have won numerous awards and received many accolades around the globe. KEF’s strategy is to expand its product portfolio with premium wireless speaker products to capture a new consumer audience, beyond the traditional Hi-Fi consumer. This requires the establishment of new, high-quality offline and online distribution channels and requires a new approach to the market (incl. a strong focus on Ecommerce and Digital Marketing).

This new strategy is part of an exciting journey for a well-established and profitable company with further opportunities for growth in the coming years.

Role Summary

As the Area Sales Manager (UK South) your responsibilities will include:

• Building robust partnerships with retail and distribution partners;
• Ensuring the effective demonstration of KEF products in-store;
• Creating unforgettable brand experiences for consumers;
• Focus on a proactive management and development of current strategic national key accounts and the multi-channel business in your region;
• Manage, develop and grow the current strategic business partners and KEF’s trade sales channels in the region;
• Acquisition and development of new target trading partners;
• Maintaining and growing market share and business results;
• Achieving revenue and GM targets;
• Effective distribution of all product lines;
• The deployment of key regional channel and (digital) marketing activities;
• Ensuring that the KEF brand is represented properly at suitable and professional authorised retailers.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as an ambassador of the brand and its values;
• Strategic management of key retail and retail partners;
• Serve as the primary point of contact for strategic accounts, ensuring high levels of engagement and satisfaction;
• Negotiate contracts and agreements to maximise mutual business value;
• Collaborate closely with accounts to develop joint business plans and achieve mutual growth objectives;
• Monitor account performance and provide insights and recommendations to drive success;
• Multi-channel sales and operations management, including direct to consumer D2C business through the London KEF Music Gallery (KMG);
• Utilise and develop KMG for commercial optimisation with consumers and business partners;
• Expand and develop the distribution network, ensuring consumers experience best-in-class “listen and believe” moments;
• Drive sales performance across the independent retail and custom installer network to achieve revenue and GM targets;
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key accounts through regular in-person and remote communication;
• Maximise representation and exposure of KEF products by ensuring KEF product is on demonstration and accessible in all relevant stores;
• KEF POS utilised and on displayed in all relevant outlets;
• KEF product ranging reflects the store demographics and online;
• KEF product listed utilises the correct brand assets and copy;
• Collaborate with the UK Marketing Department to plan, manage, and execute impactful channel marketing initiatives, including cooperative campaigns;
• Deliver regular in-store and online/distance sales training to retail staff on a regular basis, to ensure consistent communication / message in line with KEF brand guidelines;
• Identify and develop new business opportunities aligned with KEF’s commercial strategy;
• Organise and conduct product demonstrations at trade shows and consumer events as required.

General Duties

• Regular internal reporting and customer facing business reviews;
• Plan, manage and maximise sales and marketing opportunities for your whole region;
• Execute KEF’s “Win-Win-Win” and “listen and deliver” strategy with business partners, ensuring mutual growth and success;
• Represent KEF at internal and external events to enhance brand presence;
• Act as the “eyes and ears” of the market, providing actionable feedback and insights to internal teams;
• Participate in quarterly sales meetings and business performance reviews;
• Work collaboratively across internal departments, including Marketing, Sales Operations, Finance, and Technical Sales.

Personal Skills and Qualifications

• Passion for audio and enthusiasm for KEF’s brand values;
• Strong sales experience in the audio/hi-fi/consumer electronics/custom installation industries, with a proven record of success;
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and organisational skills;
• Self-motivated, performance-driven individual who thrives on exceeding expectations;
• Relevant qualifications in Sales, Marketing, or Business, or equivalent professional experience;
• Commercial acumen and strong analytical skills;
• Proficiency in creating cooperative marketing campaigns and leveraging marketing resources;
• Effective time management and ability to work autonomously;
• Confident presenter with strong written and oral communication skills;
• High proficiency in Excel and other MS Office tools;
• Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders;
• Regular UK travel and occasional European travel (up to 80%);
• Flexibility and adaptability to a dynamic work environment.

We offer a competitive salary, bonus, company pension scheme, fully electric company car, career development opportunities, Employee Assistance Programme.

Please send your full CV with current and expected salary by clicking "Apply".

KEF is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, age, colour, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or on the basis of disability.

Personal data collected will be treated as strictly confidential and used for recruitment purposes only. All personal data collected during the application process will be kept for 12 months after its completion, and will be destroyed thereafter.