Area Sales Manager in London

The Fine Food Co is a leading distributor of dairy, butchery, dry goods, frozen, and fresh fruit and vegetable products to the catering and retail sectors across the South of England. Following the successful merger of Longman’s and The Fine Food Co, we are entering an exciting new phase of growth. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a forward-thinking organisation with ambitious plans for the future.

We are now seeking a London-based Area Sales Manager to join our sales team, reporting directly to one of the Directors. This is a key role focused on driving sales growth across the London region, developing opportunities within both the food service and retail sectors, and strengthening relationships with existing and prospective customers.

THE ROLE

We are looking for a proactive, organised, and commercially minded individual with experience in a field sales role within the fresh produce industry. The successful candidate will work closely with chefs and buyers across London, so a strong understanding of these sectors is essential. The role involves managing and developing an existing customer portfolio, supporting growth within current accounts while also identifying and securing new business opportunities. The Area Sales Manager will be supported by an office-based Account Manager, enabling a strong focus on customer engagement, business development, and sales growth. This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious sales professional to join a growing and evolving business with significant expansion plans and the opportunity to develop their career as the company continues to grow.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Grow and maintain sales with The Fine Food Co customers across the territory
• Visit and engage with a diverse customer base of retail and catering clients, selling products and offering menu and range advice
• Secure new business opportunities to an agreed target value
• Maintain and actively increase area margin to ensure profitability
• Work with transport and operations teams to ensure smooth deliveries and resolve any service issues

PERSONAL QUALITIES FOR SUCCESS:

• A proactive learner who takes initiative, asks questions, seeks continuous improvement, and takes ownership of outcomes
• A collaborative team player who can think beyond personal targets and contribute to the wider success of the business
• Strong organisational, time-management and prioritisation skills, combined with an approachable and enthusiastic manner

This is a fast-paced role that will suit someone who thrives in such an environment.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES:

• Proven history in a food or drink sales environment
• Solid knowledge of food brands, trends and categories
• Positive attitude and determination to achieve quarterly sales targets
• IT literate, with competency in Word, Excel and Teams
• Ability to work effectively as part of a larger team

DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE:

• Previous experience in wholesale or the food industry
• Good geographical knowledge of the supply area

HOURS & LOCATION:

Field-based role. 40 hours per week. Area – London Area. Occasional visits to our Head Office in Somerset.

BENEFITS:

At The Fine Food Co, our people and most importantly our family is at the heart of what we do. We offer our team many benefits above the standard remuneration packages:

• Fair rates of pay with a Living Wage Accredited Employer
• Saving Schemes
• 25% team discount on our retail outlets and café
• Discounted MOTs @HFG Commercials
• Discounted purchases from the wholesale warehouse
• Cycle to work scheme
• Relaxed and approachable working environments
• Company Pension Scheme
• Employee driven monthly newsletter with a relaxed approach to internal communication
• Training and Development Opportunities
• Team Lottery
• Free Parking
• Company Advisory Group providing an open platform to share ideas and suggest changes
• Accessible Mental Health First Aiders with a 24/7 line
• Team Surveys
• Company Clothing