At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead sales strategy and drive growth in health-conscious FMCG brands.
- Company: Dynamic SME in the health and wellness sector with a strong growth trajectory.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, hybrid working, and the chance to shape a growing brand.
- Other info: Ideal for entrepreneurial spirits ready to thrive in a transformative phase.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment and accelerate commercial success.
- Qualifications: Proven FMCG sales experience and strong leadership skills.
Location - London Hybrid
Are you an experienced commercial sales leader with a passion for scaling purpose-led, health-conscious brands? We are partnering with an ambitious, high-growth SME FMCG business operating within the health and wellness space. With strong momentum, an expanding customer base, and increasing consumer demand for better-for-you products, the business is entering a pivotal growth phase and is seeking an Interim Head of Sales to help shape and accelerate the next stage of its commercial journey.
Working closely with the leadership team, you will lead the sales agenda across grocery, high street, specialist retail, and selected distributor partnerships, while developing a scalable route-to-market strategy aligned with ambitious commercial goals.
Leading a small but capable commercial team, you will bring pace, clarity, and commercial rigour to the organisation — balancing strategic thinking with day-to-day execution in a fast-moving SME environment.
- Develop and execute a clear sales strategy to accelerate growth across grocery, retail, and wholesale channels.
- Identify and unlock new commercial opportunities, partnerships, and routes to market for a growing health-conscious FMCG portfolio.
- Lead key customer relationships and commercial negotiations, including JBPs, pricing strategy, promotional planning, and margin optimisation.
- Manage and mentor a lean sales team, creating clear accountability, capability development, and high performance.
- Strengthen forecasting, pipeline management, and sales processes to support scalable growth.
- Partner closely with founders and senior leadership to shape commercial priorities and support wider business objectives.
- Bring an agile, hands-on approach to solving challenges in a growing SME environment.
We’re looking for a commercially astute and entrepreneurial sales leader with strong FMCG experience, ideally within health, wellness, food, drink, natural products, or better-for-you consumer brands.
- Experience operating at Head of Sales, Commercial Lead, Controller level, or as a senior National Account Manager/SNAM ready to step into broader commercial leadership.
- A proven track record of driving growth within SME, scale-up, or challenger FMCG brands.
- Strong experience managing key retail relationships, commercial negotiations, and multi-million-pound P&Ls.
- A category-led selling mindset and strong understanding of FMCG routes to market.
- High emotional intelligence, resilience, and a collaborative leadership style.
This interim opportunity offers the chance to make a significant impact within a fast-growing business at a transformational stage of its journey — ideal for someone who thrives in entrepreneurial environments and enjoys building momentum quickly.
Director of Sales- Hybrid Working in London employer: Vertical Advantage
Join a dynamic and purpose-driven SME in the health and wellness sector, where your expertise as a Director of Sales will be pivotal in shaping the future of better-for-you products. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, a collaborative work culture, and the flexibility of hybrid working, this role offers you the chance to lead a capable team while making a meaningful impact in a fast-paced environment. Embrace the opportunity to drive commercial success and innovation in a company that values your contributions and fosters a supportive atmosphere for professional development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Sales- Hybrid Working in London
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Showcase Your Expertise
When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers or during interviews, make sure to highlight your experience in scaling health-conscious brands. Share specific examples of how you've driven growth and managed key relationships in the FMCG space. This will help you stand out as the ideal candidate!
✨Be Ready to Adapt
In a fast-moving SME environment, flexibility is key. Be prepared to discuss how you've tackled challenges in previous roles and how you can bring that agile mindset to the new position. Show them you're not just a leader but a problem-solver too!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team and contributing to our exciting journey in the health and wellness space.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Sales- Hybrid Working in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Director of Sales. Highlight your experience in FMCG, especially in health and wellness, and showcase any achievements that align with the job description.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about scaling purpose-led brands and how your leadership style can drive growth in our fast-paced environment.
Showcase Your Achievements:Quantify your successes! Whether it's driving sales growth or managing key retail relationships, use numbers to demonstrate your impact. We love seeing how you've made a difference in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Vertical Advantage
✨Know Your FMCG Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of the FMCG sector, especially within health and wellness. Be ready to discuss trends, key players, and how you can leverage your experience to drive growth in this space.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership style and how you've successfully managed teams in fast-paced environments. Discuss how you’ve developed accountability and high performance in your previous roles.
✨Be Ready for Commercial Conversations
Expect to dive deep into commercial negotiations and strategies. Have specific examples ready where you've successfully managed key customer relationships or optimised pricing strategies to boost margins.
✨Demonstrate Agility and Problem-Solving
This role requires a hands-on approach, so be prepared to discuss how you've tackled challenges in previous positions. Share stories that illustrate your agility and ability to adapt quickly in a growing SME environment.
