Area Sales Manager – Food Service

Ashton Recruitment; Northern Ireland; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency is seeking an Area Sales Manager for the food service market in Northern Ireland. Responsibilities include managing a sales team, achieving sales targets, and fostering customer relationships. The ideal candidate will have experience in foodservice or FMCG sales, excellent communication skills, and a proven track record in managing sales teams. Competitive salary and benefits offered.

Benefits

Competitive base salary

Performance-based bonus

Company vehicle

Pension contribution

Qualifications

• Successful track record in foodservice or FMCG sales, ideally in a field-based role.
• Experience managing a sales team, with proven ability to motivate and lead.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; comfortable working with data and KPIs.

Responsibilities

• Deliver regional sales targets by actively managing team performance.
• Identify, target, and win new food service customers.
• Lead, coach, and support a team of Food Service Sales Representatives.

Skills

Sales Team Management

Communication Skills

Negotiation Skills

Analytical Skills

Education

Third-level qualification in Business, Marketing, or related field

Tools

CRM systems

Excel-based reporting tools

Job description

Overview

Ashton Recruitment require an Area Sales Manager – Food Service for our Irish based client based throughout Northern Ireland.

Position: Area Sales Manager – Food Service

Location: Northern Ireland

Duration: Permanent

Pay Rate: Depending on Experience

Market-leading Irish manufacturer operating in both the grocery and food service markets is seeking a manager for the Northern Ireland food service market to help develop its business. The role involves taking on a current customer base and sales force with an aim to significantly expand over the next three to four years, in line with the company’s general growth aspirations in all markets. The position will be based in Northern Ireland, with some liaison and travel to the South expected.

Responsibilities

1. Deliver regional sales targets by actively managing team performance and driving new business acquisition.
2. Identify, target, and win new food service customers.
3. Help nurture and grow key customer accounts through strategic planning and hands-on support.
4. Monitor market trends and competitor activity to identify sales opportunities and risks.
5. Lead, coach, and support a team of Food Service Sales Representatives.
6. Conduct regular field visits, performance reviews, and sales training.
7. Set clear objectives, KPIs, and action plans for individual and team success.
8. Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
9. Build strong working relationships with national and regional foodservice distributors.
10. Collaborate with distributor sales teams to support shared customers and execute joint sales strategies.
11. Support the activation of promotions, new product launches, and category initiatives through the distributor network.
12. Analyse sales data to track team performance and identify areas for improvement.
13. Report regularly on performance, progress against targets, and market developments.
14. Support forecasting and planning processes with accurate and timely input.

Essential Criteria

• Successful track record in foodservice or FMCG sales, ideally in a field-based role.
• Experience managing a sales team, with proven ability to motivate and lead.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience working with distributor networks and understanding their commercial drivers.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; comfortable working with data and KPIs.
• Full, clean driving licence.

Desirable

• Third-level qualification in Business, Marketing, or a related field.
• Understanding of the Irish foodservice landscape and customer base.
• Proficiency in CRM systems and Excel-based reporting tools.

What they Offer

• Competitive base salary with performance-based bonus and Pension contribution.
• Company vehicle, phone, laptop, and expense package.
• The opportunity to lead a key region within a high-performing sales organisation.
• Career progression and development within a dynamic and growing company.

Ashton Recruitment is acting as an Employment Agency.