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- Tasks: Lead sales for General Merchandise to UK retail groups and department stores.
- Company: Join a rapidly growing organization with a 37% growth over three years.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, bonuses, car allowance, and healthcare.
- Why this job: This role offers autonomy and the chance to shape company direction in a dynamic market.
- Qualifications: Must have proven expertise in UK general merchandise sales and strong retail connections.
- Other info: Remote work with travel across the UK to meet clients and strengthen partnerships.
The predicted salary is between 120000 - 180000 £ per year.
Title: UK Sales Director
Products: General Merchandise (Food Prep Items, Storage & Organisation, Homewares, etc.)
Sales Focus: UK Retail Groups (Supermarkets) & Department Stores
Location: Remote based in the United Kingdom (with travel)
Salary: £150,000 – £180,000 plus bonus, plus car allowance, healthcare etc.
**MUST have expertise in General Merchandise sales to UK supermarkets**
Do you want to work for an organisation that has grown 37% over the past three years? Are you a seasoned sales leader with a deep understanding of the UK retail sector? Do you thrive on building relationships, expanding product categories, and driving sales growth? If so, we want to hear from you!
We’re seeking a Sales Director – General Merchandise to take charge of selling our clients extensive product range to UK retail groups and department stores. This is a high-impact role, perfect for a driven self-starter who can work independently, think strategically, and execute flawlessly.
This position holds a lot of autonomy which means that you’ll have the freedom to follow your instincts and make your own decisions. You’ll be trusted to know what’s best, guiding your internationally based colleagues on UK sales needs and trends.
You will also be playing a significant role in the general impact of the company. As Sales Director you will be crucial in steering where the company is heading and making sure they stand out and keep growing through retail analysis, customer trends and sales strategies.
Current customers include: Tesco, ALDI, Lidl, ASDA, Morrisons, The Range, Waitrose, TKX, John Lewis, Lakeland, and more. You will need to be confident handling a range of customer accounts.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and grow existing retail accounts while identifying new opportunities in emerging product sectors
- Manage and optimise a diverse portfolio of several hundred SKUs
- Build and maintain strong relationships with buyers, ensuring alignment with retail calendars and pricing strategies
- Travel across the UK to meet clients, strengthen partnerships, and drive sales performance
- Utilise internal tech platforms (MS Teams, Slack, CRM tools) to streamline communication and reporting
What We’re Looking For:
- Proven expertise in general merchandise sales within the UK retail market
- Strong network of retail buyers and key decision-makers in department stores and retail groups
- Highly organised with a structured, strategic approach to account and product management
- Tech-savvy, and comfortable with digital collaboration tools and internal reporting systems
- Self-motivated & independent, able to drive results without constant oversight
If you have expert experience in delivering sales results with General Merchandise products in the UK retail eco-system, I want to speak to you about this exciting remote-based Sales Director opportunity!
Sales Director employer: Oliver Carol Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Oliver Carol Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Sales Director
✨Tip Number 1
Make sure to leverage your existing network of retail buyers and decision-makers. Reach out to former colleagues or industry contacts who may have insights into the companies you're targeting, like Tesco or ALDI.
✨Tip Number 2
Stay updated on the latest trends in general merchandise and the UK retail market. This knowledge will not only help you in conversations but also demonstrate your expertise during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific strategies you've used in the past to grow sales and manage accounts. Be ready to share examples that highlight your ability to drive results independently.
✨Tip Number 4
Familiarize yourself with the internal tech platforms mentioned in the job description, such as MS Teams and CRM tools. Being tech-savvy will show that you can adapt quickly to their systems and processes.
We think you need these skills to ace Sales Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your expertise in general merchandise sales, particularly within the UK retail market. Include specific achievements and metrics that demonstrate your success in driving sales growth.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, emphasize your experience with UK supermarkets and department stores. Discuss how your strategic approach and relationship-building skills can contribute to the company's growth.
Showcase Your Network: Mention your connections with retail buyers and decision-makers in your application. This will demonstrate your ability to leverage relationships for business development and sales performance.
Highlight Tech Proficiency: Since the role requires using internal tech platforms, mention your familiarity with tools like MS Teams, Slack, and CRM systems. This shows you are tech-savvy and ready to streamline communication and reporting.
How to prepare for a job interview at Oliver Carol Recruitment
✨Showcase Your Expertise
Make sure to highlight your proven expertise in general merchandise sales within the UK retail market. Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully driven sales growth and built relationships with key retail buyers.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
Be ready to discuss your structured, strategic approach to account and product management. Share insights on how you identify new opportunities and optimize existing accounts, especially in relation to the diverse portfolio of products.
✨Familiarize Yourself with the Company
Research the company’s current customers and their product range. Understanding their position in the market and recent growth can help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their success.
✨Prepare for Relationship Building
Since building and maintaining strong relationships with buyers is crucial, think of ways to demonstrate your interpersonal skills. Be prepared to discuss how you've successfully aligned with retail calendars and pricing strategies in past roles.
