At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead sales for general merchandise in UK supermarkets and build strong client relationships.
- Company: Join a rapidly growing organisation with a 37% growth over the last three years.
- Benefits: Enjoy remote work flexibility, autonomy, and the chance to influence company direction.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team driving sales growth and making a significant impact in retail.
- Qualifications: Must have proven expertise in general merchandise sales and a strong network in the UK retail market.
- Other info: This role offers independence and the opportunity to work with major retailers like Tesco and ALDI.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Location: Remote based in the United Kingdom (with travel)
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 sell our clients' extensive product range to UK retail groups and department stores. This high-impact role is perfect for a driven self-starter who can work independently, think strategically, and execute flawlessly. This position holds a lot of autonomy, meaning 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 play a significant role in the company's general impact.
As Sales Director, you will be crucial in steering the company’s direction and making sure it stands out and keeps 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 in 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 - General Merchandise employer: Olivercarol
Contact Detail:
Olivercarol Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Sales Director - General Merchandise
✨Tip Number 1
Leverage your existing network in the UK retail sector. Reach out to former colleagues or industry contacts who may have insights into the company or the role. Personal connections can often provide valuable information and even referrals.
✨Tip Number 2
Stay updated on current trends in general merchandise sales, especially within UK supermarkets. Familiarise yourself with recent developments, consumer behaviour changes, and emerging product categories that could be relevant to the role.
✨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 of how you've successfully built relationships with key decision-makers in the retail sector.
✨Tip Number 4
Demonstrate your tech-savviness by familiarising yourself with the digital collaboration tools mentioned in the job description. Being comfortable with platforms like MS Teams and CRM tools will show that you can hit the ground running.
We think you need these skills to ace Sales Director - General Merchandise
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your expertise in general merchandise sales, particularly within the UK retail sector. Include specific achievements and metrics that demonstrate your success in driving sales growth.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your understanding of the UK retail market and your ability to build relationships with key decision-makers. Mention your experience with major retailers like Tesco and ALDI to make a strong impression.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Emphasise your organisational skills and strategic approach to account management. Mention your proficiency with digital collaboration tools like MS Teams and CRM systems, as these are crucial for the role.
Showcase Your Independence: In your application, convey your self-motivation and ability to work independently. Provide examples of how you've successfully driven results without constant oversight, as this is a key requirement for the position.
How to prepare for a job interview at Olivercarol
✨Showcase Your Expertise
Make sure to highlight your extensive experience in general merchandise sales, particularly within the UK retail sector. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully driven sales growth and built relationships with key retail buyers.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
Since this role requires a strategic approach, come ready to discuss your methods for analysing market trends and customer behaviour. Share how you’ve previously identified new opportunities and optimised product portfolios to meet changing demands.
✨Emphasise Relationship Building
Building strong relationships is crucial for this position. Prepare to talk about your network of retail buyers and decision-makers, and provide examples of how you've maintained these relationships to align with retail calendars and pricing strategies.
✨Be Tech-Savvy
As the role involves using various digital collaboration tools, be ready to discuss your proficiency with platforms like MS Teams, Slack, and CRM tools. Highlight any experiences where technology has helped you streamline communication and improve reporting.