Area Sales Manager - Northern England

Scandinavian Tobacco Group Tobacco Service B.V.; North Hertfordshire; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading tobacco company in the UK seeks an Area Sales Manager to lead a high-performing team across Northern England. The ideal candidate will drive commercial success through strong leadership, data-informed strategies, and relationship building with retail and wholesale partners. Key responsibilities include managing sales targets, developing regional strategies, and ensuring compliance with regulations. This role offers a competitive compensation package, including benefits like a company car and healthcare.

Benefits

Company car

Private healthcare and dental

Generous pension scheme

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven experience in sales leadership, ideally within FMCG, tobacco, or NGP sectors.
• Strong commercial acumen with a data-driven mindset.
• Excellent leadership, coaching, and interpersonal skills.
• Deep understanding of UK retail and wholesale channels.
• Full UK Driving Licence.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of Sales Representatives across Northern England.
• Drive commercial success and foster customer relationships.
• Develop data-informed strategies for sales targets.
• Ensure brand visibility and optimising distribution.
• Deliver ongoing training and coaching for the team.

Skills

Sales leadership

Commercial acumen

Interpersonal skills

Understanding of UK retail channels

Data analysis

Job description

As an Area Sales Manager at Scandinavian Tobacco Group, you will lead a high-performing team of Sales Representatives across the Northern England Region. Your mission is to drive commercial success across our full portfolio—including traditional tobacco products and Next Generation Products (NGPs) such as Nicotine Pouches—by developing data-informed strategies, fostering customer relationships, and delivering against ambitious sales targets.

You will take an omni-channel approach, managing and growing relationships across independent retailers, wholesale partners, and key accounts. This includes ensuring brand visibility, optimising distribution, and tailoring strategies to meet the unique needs of each channel.

You will play a key role in shaping regional performance by applying analytical thinking and leveraging market insights to make informed, strategic decisions that support sustainable growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Inspire, coach, and develop a team of Sales Representatives to exceed sales targets across all product categories, including NGPs.
• Foster a high-performance culture focused on accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Territory & Customer Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key retail and wholesale partners.
• Identify and convert new business opportunities, ensuring optimal distribution and visibility of our brands.

Strategic Sales Planning

• Develop and execute regional sales strategies aligned with national objectives, using data and insights to prioritise activities and allocate resources effectively.
• Integrate NGPs into the commercial strategy, ensuring alignment with evolving consumer trends and regulatory frameworks.

Market & Performance Analysis

• Monitor market trends, competitor activity, and category performance to identify risks and opportunities.
• Use analytical tools and sales data to evaluate team performance, optimise route-to-market, and inform decision‑making.

Training & Capability Building

• Deliver ongoing training and coaching to ensure the team is equipped with the knowledge and skills to succeed, particularly in the growing NGP category.
• Promote a culture of learning and adaptability in a fast‑evolving market.

Compliance Management

• Ensure full compliance with all legal and industry regulations, including age‑restriction laws and marketing standards for tobacco and NGPs.

Reporting & Communication

• Provide regular performance updates and actionable insights to senior leadership.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with Marketing, Trade Activation, and Category teams to align on execution plans.

Required Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in sales leadership, ideally within FMCG, tobacco, or NGP sectors.
• Strong commercial acumen with a data‑driven mindset and the ability to translate insights into action.
• Excellent leadership, coaching, and interpersonal skills.
• Deep understanding of UK retail and wholesale channels, including regulatory considerations for tobacco and NGPs.
• Full UK Driving Licence.

What's on Offer

At Scandinavian Tobacco Group, we offer a competitive compensation package including:

• Company car
• Private healthcare and dental
• Generous pension scheme
• Opportunities for career development in a global, forward‑thinking organisation

Our benefits vary by region—our recruitment team will provide full details during the process.

Our Hiring Process

• Behavioral Assessment
• Leadership Interview

About Scandinavian Tobacco Group

Scandinavian Tobacco Group is a global leader in cigars, tobacco, and Next Generation Products, with a legacy spanning over 250 years. We operate in over 100 countries with a diverse team of more than 10,000 employees. Our portfolio includes iconic brands like Signature, Cohiba, Macanudo, CAO, Partagas, and a growing range of Nicotine Pouches and other NGPs.

We are committed to sustainability, innovation, and inclusion, and we empower our people to shape the future of our industry. Join us and craft a career that makes you more.