Technical Sales Manager in Exeter

Technical Sales Manager in Exeter

Exeter Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) Home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Drive sales and build relationships in the food processing machinery sector.
  • Company: Join a respected UK engineering business with a collaborative culture.
  • Benefits: Attractive salary, commission scheme, car allowance, and home-based flexibility.
  • Why this job: Make an impact by turning complex challenges into tailored solutions for clients.
  • Qualifications: Experience in technical sales or account management within engineering or automation.
  • Other info: Enjoy autonomy and long-term career growth in a stable environment.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

Are you a commercially astute Technical Sales Manager who excels at turning complex production challenges into high-value engineered realities? Do you enjoy working autonomously, managing key accounts, and developing long-term customer relationships within machinery-led manufacturing environments?

SimWest is partnering with a UK engineering business specialising in the design and delivery of bespoke food processing machinery and automation systems. Due to continued growth, the business is now looking to appoint an experienced Technical Sales Manager to cover the UK & Ireland.

This is a home-based role, offering a high level of autonomy and ownership. Reporting into the UK Director, you will manage your own territory, diary, and sales strategy while working closely with internal engineering and project teams. The Technical Sales Manager will drive growth through a strategic mix of account management and new business development. Serving as the face of the company across the UK and Ireland, you will cultivate long-term partnerships while identifying and capturing new market opportunities.

Role Split

  • 70% Account Management - Develop and grow long-standing customer relationships, positioning yourself as a trusted technical partner rather than a transactional supplier
  • 30% New Business Development - Identify and convert new opportunities within food and FMCG manufacturing environments

Key Responsibilities:

  • Build strong, trust-based relationships with food manufacturing customers
  • Communicate confidently at a technical level with Engineering Managers, Factory Managers, and senior stakeholders
  • Act as an effective “middle-man”, translating customer aspirations and operational pain points into actionable briefs for internal engineering teams.
  • Identify customer pain points and propose value-added, bespoke technical solutions
  • Manage the full sales lifecycle from enquiry through to order
  • Travel regularly across the UK & Ireland, with occasional visits to head office

About You:

You are a commercially driven Technical Sales Manager with a strong technical aptitude. You do not need to be an engineer, but you must be comfortable discussing mechanical systems, automation workflows, and ROI with technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Key Requirements:

  • Proven experience in technical sales, account management, or business development within engineering, machinery, or automation
  • Experience selling bespoke or engineered solutions, not off-the-shelf products
  • Strong commercial awareness, ideally with capital equipment projects £100k+
  • Ability to simplify complex technical concepts into clear, value-led proposals
  • Experience within the food industry is a significant advantage, though we welcome candidates from other high-spec machinery backgrounds.
  • A natural ability to lead a sales process from initial "pain" identification to final commissioning.
  • A proven track record of building deep, long-lasting relationships based on integrity and expertise.

Package & Benefits:

  • Attractive base salary (salary level dependent on experience)
  • Commission scheme linked to equipment value
  • Car allowance
  • Established customer base with strong repeat business, complemented by new project opportunities
  • Home-based role with high autonomy and ownership
  • Long-term opportunity within a stable, respected engineering business
  • Supportive, collaborative culture working closely with engineering and operations

Apply Today. SimWest Engineering Recruitment is managing this opportunity exclusively. If you are a Technical Sales Manager with the commercial drive and technical curiosity to represent a market-leading automation business, we’d like to hear from you.

Technical Sales Manager in Exeter employer: SimWest Engineering Recruitment

SimWest offers an exceptional work environment for Technical Sales Managers, providing a home-based role that promotes autonomy and ownership while managing key accounts across the UK and Ireland. With a supportive and collaborative culture, employees benefit from strong repeat business, a competitive commission scheme, and opportunities for long-term growth within a respected engineering firm focused on bespoke automation solutions. This is an ideal opportunity for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the machinery-led manufacturing sector.
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Contact Detail:

SimWest Engineering Recruitment Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Technical Sales Manager in Exeter

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals on LinkedIn or at local events. Building relationships can lead to job opportunities that aren't even advertised.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products. Understand their challenges and think about how you can provide bespoke solutions. This will show you're not just another candidate, but someone who truly gets their business.

Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the role of Technical Sales Manager. Highlight your ability to manage accounts and develop long-term relationships, as that's what they'll be looking for.

Tip Number 4

Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.

We think you need these skills to ace Technical Sales Manager in Exeter

Technical Sales
Account Management
New Business Development
Customer Relationship Management
Communication Skills
Technical Aptitude
Mechanical Systems Knowledge
Automation Workflows
Sales Lifecycle Management
Problem Identification
Value Proposition Development
Commercial Awareness
Bespoke Solutions Selling
Stakeholder Engagement
Industry Knowledge in Food Processing

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Technical Sales Manager. Highlight your experience in technical sales and account management, especially within engineering or machinery. We want to see how you've turned complex challenges into solutions!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us about your passion for building long-term customer relationships and how you can bring value to our team. Be sure to mention any relevant experience in the food industry or bespoke solutions.

Showcase Your Technical Aptitude: We’re looking for someone who can communicate confidently with both technical and non-technical stakeholders. In your application, give examples of how you've simplified complex concepts in the past. This will show us you're the right fit for the role!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, we love seeing applications come directly from our site!

How to prepare for a job interview at SimWest Engineering Recruitment

Know Your Product Inside Out

Before the interview, make sure you understand the bespoke food processing machinery and automation systems that the company offers. Familiarise yourself with their features, benefits, and how they solve customer pain points. This will help you communicate confidently and position yourself as a knowledgeable partner.

Prepare for Technical Conversations

Since you'll be discussing complex technical concepts, practice explaining these in simple terms. Think about how you would translate customer needs into actionable briefs for engineering teams. Being able to simplify technical jargon will impress your interviewers and show your ability to connect with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Showcase Your Relationship-Building Skills

Be ready to share examples of how you've developed long-term customer relationships in the past. Highlight specific instances where you've acted as a trusted partner rather than just a supplier. This will demonstrate your ability to manage key accounts effectively and align with the company's focus on trust-based relationships.

Demonstrate Your Commercial Acumen

Prepare to discuss your experience with capital equipment projects and how you've driven growth through strategic account management and new business development. Be specific about your achievements and how they relate to the role. This will show that you have the commercial awareness needed to succeed in this position.

Technical Sales Manager in Exeter
SimWest Engineering Recruitment
Location: Exeter

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