Life Sciences Sales Executive

Salary: Competitive salary depend on experience + bonus + company benefits + car allowance.

Location: Field based in Midlands and North England. Full UK driving licence essential. We are particularly interested in candidates based around Birmingham and the M62 corridor including Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds. Full-time, permanent.

About Appleton Woods

Appleton Woods is a well-established and highly respected supplier to the life science sector, supporting customers across academia, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, healthcare, research and commercial laboratories throughout the UK. We pride ourselves on delivering exceptional customer service, technical expertise and long-term customer partnerships across our extensive portfolio of consumables, laboratory equipment, reagents, microscopy and associated laboratory products.

The Role

This is a field-based, customer-facing sales role focused on developing existing accounts and winning new business across the territory. You will build strong customer relationships, generate sales opportunities and drive growth across academia, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, healthcare, research and wider life science organisations. Working closely with internal teams and product specialists, you will ensure customers receive excellent service and support throughout the sales process. Regular travel across the territory is required, along with periodic attendance at the Birmingham Head Office. Occasional overnight stays may be required.

Key Responsibilities

• Managing and developing existing customer accounts across the assigned territory
• Creating and executing account plans, contact strategies and customer development plans
• Identifying, prospecting and onboarding new customers across the territory
• Achieving agreed territory sales and profit targets, including targets by product category
• Conducting regular face-to-face customer meetings, site visits, demonstrations and product discussions
• Developing a strong understanding of customer needs, purchasing routes and future requirements
• Managing opportunities and customer activity accurately through the CRM system
• Working closely with internal specialists including equipment, microscopy and reagent teams
• Managing sales leads and progressing opportunities through the sales process
• Supporting supplier relationships, joint customer visits, exhibitions and product initiatives
• Representing Appleton Woods professionally at customer meetings, exhibitions and trade events
• Monitoring market activity, competitor activity and customer developments within the territory
• Reporting market intelligence, customer feedback and commercial opportunities
• Supporting pricing discussions, contract renewals and framework opportunities
• Working collaboratively with Customer Service, Internal Sales, Product Specialists and Marketing teams

Key Performance Indicators (KPI)

The role will be measured against a combination of sales performance, customer engagement and CRM compliance.

Sales Performance

• Achievement of territory sales and profit targets
• Achievement of product category sales targets
• Growth of existing customer accounts
• Acquisition and development of new customers

Customer Engagement

• Achievement of meaningful customer interaction targets
• Completion of regular face-to-face customer meetings
• Development and execution of account plans
• Proactive pipeline generation and opportunity development

CRM and Process Compliance

• Accurate and timely management of customer activity and opportunities within CRM
• Compliance with reporting requirements and sales processes
• Maintenance of accurate customer records and forecasting information

About You

We are looking for candidates with a degree-level education, strong commercial focus, excellent communication skills, and proven experience in sales within the life sciences field. Experience with CRM systems and a track record of meeting sales targets are essential.