At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial strategy and drive growth in bespoke packaging solutions.
- Company: Join Macfarlane Packaging, a leader in innovative packaging design.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonus, company car, and flexible benefits.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth towards General Manager role.
- Why this job: Shape the future of a specialist business in exciting industries.
- Qualifications: Proven success in technical sales and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Location: UK (National role with regular travel)
Package: Competitive Executive Salary + Performance Bonus + Company Car/Allowance + Excellent PLC Benefits
Sector: Bespoke Packaging Design & Manufacturing solutions
We're dedicated to protecting what matters most - our people, our customers, our communities and the environment. At Macfarlane Packaging, our commitment to customer satisfaction, sustainability and continual improvement creates a highly collaborative, supportive and friendly workplace where you can unpack a career that grows.
With over 75 years of heritage, Macfarlane Group is the UK's leading packaging specialist. As part of the Group, Barum & Dewar occupies a unique position, designing and manufacturing highly engineered protective packaging solutions for some of the world's most technically demanding industries. Working with organisations including aerospace, defence, space technology and precision engineering, Barum & Dewar has built an outstanding reputation for solving complex packaging challenges where product protection simply cannot be compromised.
This is a rare opportunity to join the senior leadership team of a specialist business with ambitious growth plans and a clearly defined pathway towards broader business leadership.
The Sales Director Role
Reporting directly to the Managing Director, this is one of the most influential appointments within Barum & Dewar. You'll lead the commercial strategy for the business, taking ownership of business development, major customer relationships, sales performance and commercial growth across both UK and international markets. Whilst you'll inherit an established portfolio of prestigious customers, this is far from an account management role alone. You'll relish identifying new opportunities, winning complex technical projects and helping shape the future direction of the business.
Working collaboratively with Design, Production and the wider Macfarlane Group, you'll ensure customers continue to receive innovative, technically led protective packaging solutions whilst maintaining a relentless focus on profitable growth. Alongside your own commercial responsibilities, you'll contribute to strategic planning and play an integral role within the senior leadership team. For the right individual, this role offers a genuine opportunity to develop towards a future General Manager position within the business.
What you'll be doing
- Develop and deliver the commercial strategy to achieve sustainable sales and profit growth.
- Identify, secure and convert new business opportunities across aerospace, defence, space technology, precision engineering and other technically demanding sectors.
- Lead complex solution-based sales projects from initial engagement through to commercial negotiation and contract award.
- Build long-term strategic relationships with major customers, ensuring exceptional levels of service and continued account growth.
- Provide commercial leadership across pricing, margin management, forecasting and business planning.
- Develop robust sales pipelines, monitor performance and report against agreed commercial objectives.
- Work closely with internal Design, Manufacturing and Operations teams to deliver outstanding customer solutions.
- Represent Barum & Dewar at customer meetings, exhibitions, industry events and sector forums.
- Support wider strategic initiatives, marketing activity and market positioning across key industry sectors.
What you will bring
We're looking for an accomplished commercial leader who combines technical sales expertise with genuine strategic capability. You'll be equally comfortable engaging with senior decision makers, negotiating complex commercial agreements and inspiring those around you to deliver exceptional results.
Ideally, you'll bring:
- A proven track record of success in senior technical sales or commercial leadership roles.
- Experience selling complex engineered solutions into sectors such as aerospace, defence, space technology, precision engineering or similarly demanding industries.
- Demonstrable success in winning major new business and developing long-term strategic customer relationships.
- Strong commercial acumen with experience managing pricing, profitability and commercial negotiations.
- The ability to understand complex technical requirements and translate them into practical customer solutions.
- Excellent presentation, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
- Strong CRM discipline and pipeline management experience.
- A self-motivated, resilient and entrepreneurial approach with the ability to operate autonomously.
- Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel nationally and internationally where required.
Previous experience within specialist protective packaging, transit cases, engineered products or technical manufacturing environments would be most advantageous.
What you will get
We offer a competitive executive remuneration package together with the opportunity to influence the future direction of a specialist business operating within some of the world's most exciting and technically advanced industries. Our flexible benefits package can include:
- Competitive executive salary
- Performance-related bonus
- Company car or cash allowance
- 25 days annual leave (rising with service) plus bank holidays
- Additional holiday purchasing scheme
- Contributory pension scheme
- Employee assistance programme
- Annual paid volunteering day
- Employee discount scheme
- Simplyhealth/Dental Cover or BUPA (role dependent)
- Enhanced family-friendly policies
- Long service awards
- Financial support with eye tests and DSE glasses
- EE Mobile discount scheme
- Candidate referral scheme
Your future with us
This role represents considerably more than a traditional Sales Director opportunity. Working closely alongside the Managing Director, you'll play a key role in shaping the continued growth of Barum & Dewar whilst benefiting from the strength, investment and stability of Macfarlane Group PLC. For an ambitious commercial leader with the capability to broaden their leadership responsibilities, this role offers a genuine pathway towards General Manager level, supported by ongoing leadership development, executive mentoring and the opportunity to influence the strategic direction of a growing specialist business.
How to apply
We are working swiftly to identify the very best candidates for this important appointment and expect to begin interviews shortly. Please click 'Apply' to submit your up-to-date CV. All applications will be acknowledged. If you haven't heard from us within three weeks, please assume your application has been unsuccessful.
We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds irrespective of your age, gender, disability, race, nationality, ethnicity, gender expression, religion or sexual orientation. Should you require any specific support or adjustments during the recruitment process, please email our recruitment team directly.
No recruitment agencies please.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sales Director
✨Leverage Your Network
In sales and business development, who you know can often be as important as what you know. Get involved with local networking events or industry meetups to connect with key players. Don't be shy—share your passion for the field and let folks know you're on the lookout for opportunities!
✨Show Your Skills Through Real-World Results
When targeting a full-time role like Sales Director at Macfarlane Packaging, presenting tangible results from your previous sales experience can set you apart. Bring along case studies or examples of how you've closed deals or expanded accounts, and don't forget to showcase your problem-solving prowess. It’s all about quantifying your success!
✨Engage with Sales Communities
Dive deep into online sales communities, like Sales Hacker or LinkedIn groups dedicated to sales professionals. Engaging in discussions and sharing insights can boost your visibility and might just put you on the radar of hiring managers looking for fresh talent in business development.
✨Direct Applications Matter
While we all know the online application route, consider sending direct applications to companies you admire, including Macfarlane Packaging. Tailor your message to explain why you’re drawn to them and how you can contribute as a Sales Director. Sometimes, a personal touch can grab attention faster than a generic application!
We think you need these skills to ace Sales Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Those Sales Skills:In your CV and cover letter, highlight any previous sales or business development experience you have. Use numbers and examples to showcase your achievements – did you exceed sales targets or bring in new clients? Make those accomplishments shine!
Tailor Your Message for Macfarlane Packaging:When writing your cover letter, make sure to tailor your message specifically for Macfarlane Packaging. Show that you know the company’s mission and how your skills align with their goals in the sales landscape. This personalised touch will grab their attention!
Keep It Professional Yet Engaging:Sales is all about relationships, so while you want to maintain professionalism in your application, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. Engage the reader and demonstrate your enthusiastic approach to sales and business development!
Proof of Performance:Include any relevant certifications or training you’ve undertaken in sales or negotiation tactics. If you’ve attended workshops or courses, list these to showcase your commitment to professional development. This extra touch can set you apart from the competition!
How to prepare for a job interview at Macfarlane Packaging
✨Know Your Sales Methodologies
Brush up on popular sales methodologies like SPIN Selling or Challenger Sales. Being able to discuss these techniques and how you've applied them will show Macfarlane Packaging that you understand the role and can hit the ground running in the sales game.
✨Demonstrate Your Deal-Making Skills
Prepare to share stories from your past experiences where you closed deals, overcame objections, or started new client relationships. We want to show Macfarlane Packaging that you’re not just about numbers but also about building lasting connections in business development.
✨Prepare for Role-Play Scenarios
In a full-time sales interview, don’t be surprised if they throw in a role-play exercise to test your pitching skills. Practising how you would pitch a product or handle an objection will help us shine in this simulation—think of it like a dress rehearsal for your future sales calls!
✨Align Your Goals with the Company’s Vision
Take a moment to reflect on how your career ambitions align with Macfarlane Packaging’s objectives. When we articulate how our personal growth ties in with the company’s goals, it shows commitment and a genuine interest in contributing to their success.
