At a Glance
- Tasks: Build strong customer relationships and drive new business opportunities in the south west.
- Company: A family-owned leader in the UK food-service distribution sector for 50 years.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, commission potential, company car, and generous holiday allowance.
- Other info: Enjoy learning opportunities and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a real impact in a flexible, field-based role.
- Qualifications: 2+ years of field sales experience and strong relationship-building skills.
The predicted salary is between 31000 - 39000 £ per year.
We are the internal recruitment partner for our client, a well-established, independent, family-owned enterprise that has been a cornerstone of the UK food-service distribution sector for five decades. They are seeking an Area Sales Manager to develop and grow customer relationships while identifying new business opportunities across the south west. This is a field-based role, working closely with the Telesales team to focus on face-to-face account development, category growth, and new business acquisition. The role is contracted at 45 hours per week, offers flexibility to meet customer needs, and requires effective diary management rather than a traditional 9-5 approach.
Responsibilities
- Represent the company professionally and deliver a high level of service to all customers
- Develop existing customer relationships, identifying opportunities to introduce new products and categories
- Proactively identify, target, and open new business accounts
- Respond to incoming sales leads and work closely with the telesales team
- Plan and manage a structured customer visit schedule across your territory
- Drive category growth across ambient, frozen, fish, fats, and oils
- Support the Accounts team in maintaining agreed credit terms
- Maintain accurate daily call reports and CRM records
- Monitor and report on competitor activity within your territory
- Produce regular sales activity and performance reports
- Support company-wide sales campaigns and attend weekend exhibitions when required
Qualifications
- Proven field sales experience (minimum 2 years)
- Strong relationship-building skills with owner-managed and independent businesses
- Excellent organisation and time-management skills to manage a flexible, field-based working pattern
- A clean UK driving licence
- Foodservice or food industry experience is advantageous but not essential
Benefits
- Salary 37,000 - 39,000 per annum
- Quarterly commission, with earning potential of up to 2,500 per quarter (up to 10,000 per year), with realistic earnings around 500-1,000 per quarter
- Additional new business incentives
- Company car
- Mobile phone & laptop
- Monday to Friday working
- 28 days holiday including Bank Holidays
- Pension scheme
- Life Assurance
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Staff discounts
- Learning and development opportunities
Interested? Then APPLY now for immediate consideration.
Area Sales Manager in England employer: Vero HR
Join a well-established, independent, family-owned enterprise that has been a key player in the UK food-service distribution sector for over fifty years. As an Area Sales Manager, you will benefit from a flexible working environment that prioritises work-life balance, alongside competitive salary packages and generous commission opportunities. The company fosters a supportive culture with a strong emphasis on employee development, ensuring you have the tools and resources to thrive in your role while building meaningful relationships with customers across the south west.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Area Sales Manager in England
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research their values, products, and recent news. This will help us tailor our conversations and show genuine interest during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building relationships can give us insider info and even referrals that might just land us that interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Prepare for common interview questions and role-specific scenarios. We can even do mock interviews with friends to boost our confidence and refine our pitch.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After an interview, send a thank-you email expressing our appreciation. It’s a great way to stand out and keep us fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Area Sales Manager in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Area Sales Manager role. Highlight your field sales experience and relationship-building skills, as these are key for us. Use specific examples that showcase how you've developed customer relationships or opened new business accounts.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Mention your understanding of the food-service distribution sector and how you can contribute to category growth and new business acquisition.
Showcase Your Organisation Skills:Since this role requires effective diary management, make sure to highlight your organisational skills in your application. Share examples of how you've successfully managed a flexible working pattern or structured customer visit schedules in the past.
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, it shows you're keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Vero HR
✨Know Your Territory
Before the interview, research the south west area you'll be covering. Familiarise yourself with key businesses, competitors, and market trends. This will show your potential employer that you're proactive and understand the landscape you'll be working in.
✨Showcase Your Relationship-Building Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully built and maintained customer relationships in previous roles. Highlight specific instances where you identified new opportunities or resolved issues, as this aligns perfectly with the responsibilities of an Area Sales Manager.
✨Demonstrate Your Organisational Skills
Since this role requires effective diary management, come prepared to discuss how you plan and manage your time. Share strategies you've used to balance multiple client visits and ensure you meet targets without compromising service quality.
✨Be Ready for Role-Play Scenarios
Expect to engage in role-play during the interview, simulating a sales call or customer meeting. Practice your pitch and be ready to demonstrate how you would approach a new business account or handle objections, showcasing your sales acumen.