Sales Director, Retail Planning

Sales Director, Retail Planning

Full-Time 41850 - 51150 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Drive sales and build relationships in the vibrant craft beer scene.
  • Company: Join Orbit Beers, an award-winning independent brewery with a passion for music and quality.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonus scheme, free beers, and a cycle to work scheme.
  • Other info: Flexible working from home, taproom, and trade events across London and the South East.
  • Why this job: Be part of a close-knit team and make a real impact in the craft beer industry.
  • Qualifications: 1-2 years FMCG sales experience, excellent communication, and a love for beer and music.

The predicted salary is between 41850 - 51150 £ per year.

Location: London

Contract: Full-time (Field Sales, Remote Working, and Office-Based).

Salary: Competitive, and experience dependent, plus company pension, targeted bonus scheme, and 21 days holiday + bank holidays.

ASAP

Orbit Beers is an award-winning independent brewery producing a consistent, high-quality range of core beers and monthly specials. Our beers are inspired by European brewing heritage, with a passion for music and vinyl at the heart of everything we do.

Orbit Beers is looking for an experienced and driven Sales Manager with 1–2 years’ FMCG sales experience, ideally within the drinks or craft beer industry. This is a hands-on role within a small, independent brewery, suited to someone who thrives on building relationships, winning great accounts, and shaping sales strategy in a fast-moving environment.

You will take ownership of our sales performance, manage key accounts, and work closely with marketing, production, and operations to ensure sustainable, profitable growth — while staying true to Orbit’s values and quality-driven approach.

This is a field-based sales role, focused on building strong relationships, managing key on and off-trade accounts, and identifying new business opportunities across London and the South East. You’ll work from home, from our brewery taproom, and out in trade, so excellent time management, organisation, and communication skills are essential.

  • Manage and grow sales across London & the South East in a target-driven environment.
  • Identify and convert new business opportunities into long-term customers.
  • Build, maintain, and develop strong relationships with on- and off-trade accounts to secure listings, drive visibility, and optimise rate of sale.
  • Plan and structure your week to maximise time in trade and account coverage, from pubs, restaurants, and hospitality groups to high-end bars and 5* Hotels.
  • Ensure orders are recorded accurately, so that beer and POS are delivered on time.
  • Deliver engaging brand training sessions and tastings within customer accounts.
  • Accurately record activity and opportunities in Breww CRM, ensuring data is kept up to date, and contributing to weekly sales and marketing meetings.
  • Deliver excellent levels of customer service across your account portfolio.
  • Act as a brand ambassador at trade shows, festivals, and events (including evenings/weekends), and manage on-trade activations alongside the Marketing team.
  • Develop expert knowledge of our beer range and the wider competitive industry landscape.

Requirements:

  • 1–2 years’ field sales experience within FMCG (drinks industry preferred) and building new business in the on-trade.
  • Proven ability to work towards targets and generate sales.
  • Customer-centric, results-driven, and creative.
  • Excellent communication and relationship-building skills (face-to-face, phone, and email).
  • Strong time management and organisational skills.
  • Experience or strong knowledge of the craft beer industry.
  • Existing on-trade network.
  • A genuine interest in beer, music, and independent culture.

Benefits:

  • Annual Bonus Scheme.
  • Be a valued member of a collaborative, close-knit team of music and beer lovers.
  • Free weekly beers in the taproom.
  • Competitive salary and bonus scheme.
  • Cycle to work scheme.
  • Fresh coffee at the brewery from our friends at Old Spike Roastery.

Sales Director, Retail Planning employer: Orbit Beers

Orbit Beers is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and collaborative work culture in the heart of South London. With a commitment to quality and innovation, we offer our team members not only competitive benefits like a pension plan and regular hours but also the unique advantage of enjoying free weekly beers, making every day at work a celebration of craft brewing. Join us to grow your skills in a supportive environment where your passion for brewing can truly shine.

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Contact Details:

Orbit Beers Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Sales Director, Retail Planning

Leverage Local Networking Events

Field sales is all about building relationships, so look out for local networking events or industry meetups. These gatherings are prime spots for making connections with potential clients and employers. Bring your A-game and chat about your experiences—first impressions matter!

Showcase Your Sales Success Stories

Prepare a couple of solid success stories from your past experiences in sales to share during interviews. Think about specific targets you hit or ways you went above and beyond for your clients. Don't be shy—these stories help illustrate your value to Orbit Beers as a field sales pro!

Scout Out the Competition

Research potential competitors for Orbit Beers and tailor your approach based on what you find. Understanding their sales strategies will not only help you in interviews, but also give you better talking points when you connect with current employees or industry pros on platforms like LinkedIn.

Apply Through Our Website

We know that applying through job boards is tempting, but hitting up Orbit Beers’s website directly can show your genuine interest. Plus, you might find some hidden gems or roles that haven't been advertised yet. So, make it a priority to check it out!

We think you need these skills to ace Sales Director, Retail Planning

FMCG Sales Experience
Field Sales Experience
Relationship Building
Sales Strategy Development
Time Management
Organisational Skills
Communication Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Sales Savvy:For a field-sales role like this one at Orbit Beers, highlight your previous sales experience prominently on your CV. Use specific numbers to showcase your achievements—think along the lines of 'exceeded sales targets by 20%' or 'expanded client base by 50%'. We want to see your skills in action!

Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should reflect not just your enthusiasm for the role at Orbit Beers, but also your understanding of the field sales landscape. Talk about what strategies you've successfully employed in past positions and how they could translate to success in this new role. This is your chance to shine!

Emphasise Interpersonal Skills:Field sales isn't just about the sale—it's about building relationships. Make sure to highlight your communication and negotiation skills in your application materials. We’re all about someone who can connect with clients, so weave those soft skills into your CV and cover letter.

Proof of Performance:If you have any sales certifications or training, definitely include those in your application. They add credibility and show your commitment to growing your sales skills. We believe in the power of ongoing development, so don’t hesitate to include those details to stand out to us at Orbit Beers.

How to prepare for a job interview at Orbit Beers

Show Off Your Sales Savvy

Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your knowledge of key sales techniques and terminologies. We can expect to dive into your past sales experiences, so be ready to discuss your approach to prospecting, closing deals, and managing client relationships. A few solid examples of your past successes could really make you stand out!

Know Your Product Inside Out

Having a solid understanding of the products or services that Orbit Beers offers is essential. We want to hear how you would convey the value of these to potential clients and address any common objections they might have. If you can tie your knowledge back to real-life scenarios, that'll make your answers even more compelling!

Flex Your Adaptability Muscles

As a full-time field-sales rep, your day can be unpredictable. Be prepared to share how you've adapted your sales strategies to different situations or client needs. We love to hear stories where you’ve had to think on your feet or adjust your pitch mid-meeting—this shows you’re not just a one-size-fits-all salesperson!

Plan Your Questions Wisely

At the end of the interview, we'll likely ask if you have any questions for us. Use this opportunity to ask about the sales team's culture and the tools you'll be using out in the field. This not only shows your genuine interest in Orbit Beers but also helps you get a feel for whether you’d thrive in that environment.