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 career growth in a stable, innovative 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 Ipswich employer: SimWest Engineering Recruitment
Contact Detail:
SimWest Engineering Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Technical Sales Manager in Ipswich
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals on LinkedIn or at local events. Building relationships can open doors to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those 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’s genuinely interested in helping them succeed.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You need to be able to communicate your value clearly and confidently. Role-play with a friend or in front of a mirror to nail down your delivery and make sure you can simplify complex concepts.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love hearing from candidates who are proactive and eager to join our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Technical Sales Manager in Ipswich
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 showcase your commercial awareness and ability to build long-term relationships. Tell us why you're passionate about the food processing industry and how you can add value to our team.
Showcase Your Technical Aptitude: Even if you're not an engineer, we need to see that you're comfortable discussing technical concepts. Include examples of how you've simplified complex ideas for clients or stakeholders in the past. This will help us understand your communication skills!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you're keen to join our team!
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 during discussions.
✨Prepare for Technical Conversations
Since you'll be interacting with Engineering Managers and Factory Managers, brush up on your technical vocabulary related to mechanical systems and automation workflows. Practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms, so you can effectively translate customer needs into actionable solutions.
✨Showcase Your Relationship-Building Skills
Be ready to discuss your experience in developing long-term customer relationships. Prepare examples of how you've built trust and rapport with clients in the past, especially in machinery-led environments. Highlight your ability to act as a 'middle-man' between customers and engineering teams.
✨Demonstrate Your Commercial Acumen
Since this role requires a strong commercial awareness, come prepared with examples of how you've successfully identified and converted new business opportunities. Discuss any experience you have with capital equipment projects and how you’ve managed the sales lifecycle from enquiry to order.