Area Sales Manager - NN

Crown; Northampton; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading materials handling company in Northampton is looking for a Sales Executive focused on growing a specific region. You will need a background in Materials Handling, ideally the Fork Lift Industry, with proven skills in new business development and account management. Competitive salary with commissions and benefits including a company vehicle and pension plan.

Benefits

Company car with fuel card

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Company pension plan

Access to discounts from major UK brands

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years' experience in Materials Handling.
• Sales experience within the Fork Lift Industry is ideal.
• Strong skills in new business development.
• Excellent presentation and customer-facing skills.
• Commercial awareness and solution sales capability.

Responsibilities

• Grow a specific sales region through new business development.
• Manage an existing client portfolio.
• Conduct prospecting, appointment setting, and customer presentations.
• Close deals and ensure efficient territory management.

Skills

New business development

Account management

Presentation skills

Customer-facing skills

Negotiation skills

Organizational skills

Job description

Reporting to the Regional Sales Manager, your key responsibility is the growth of a specific sales region.

The area already hosts an existing client portfolio, but the role's success hinges on 80% New Business Development and 20% Account Management of our existing customer base.

We are seeking candidates with a Materials Handling background, ideally within the Fork Lift Industry.

You will play a key role in all stages of the sales process, including prospecting, appointment setting, customer presentations, demonstrations, and closing deals.

Efficient planning and territory management are as crucial as your work ethic, drive, and enthusiasm.

Using a consultative approach across all levels—from shop floor to board level—you will understand each prospect or customer's operations, seeking opportunities to secure new business, expand existing accounts, or add value.

We prefer candidates with a successful sales track record in the electric warehousing equipment sector or similar industries such as pallet racking systems.

We value career stability and seek candidates with a consistent employment history. You should be a self-starter with a strong work ethic, high energy, drive, and determination.

Person Specification

• Minimum 5 years' experience in Materials Handling, preferably.
• Sales experience within the Fork Lift Industry is ideal.
• Strong skills in new business development.
• Personable with the ability to build strong relationships.
• Excellent presentation and customer-facing skills, including verbal and written communication, equipment demonstrations, price negotiations, and objection handling.
• Commercial awareness, including need identification, market, and competitor analysis.
• Solution sales capability.
• Numerical competence.
• Excellent organizational skills, especially territory planning, time management, and meeting deadlines.
• Ability to absorb client information and communicate features and benefits effectively.

Hours of Work:

Monday to Friday – 37 hours per week, with potential for additional hours based on job requirements.

Highly competitive salary plus excellent commission and quarterly bonus.

Company Vehicle:

Company car and fuel card; private mileage benefit subject to tax regulations.

Holidays:

25 days holiday.

Pension:

Company pension plan.

Additional social benefits include:

• Company car with fuel card, for private use (subject to tax regulations).
• Company pension plan.
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Access to discounts from major UK brands.