Area Sales Manager UK - Midlands and Southern England Region

Scandinavian Tobacco Group; Luton; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global tobacco company is seeking an Area Sales Manager to drive commercial success across the Midlands and Southern England. You will lead a high-performing sales team, develop data-informed strategies, and ensure compliance with regulations. The ideal candidate has proven sales leadership experience, strong commercial acumen, and excellent interpersonal skills. This role offers excellent benefits including a company car and private healthcare.

Benefits

Company car

Private healthcare and dental

Generous pension scheme

Opportunities for career development

Qualifications

• Experience in FMCG, tobacco, or NGP sectors.
• Ability to translate data insights into action.
• Deep understanding of UK retail and wholesale channels.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of Sales Representatives to meet sales targets.
• Develop regional sales strategies and execute them.
• Monitor market trends and competitor activities.
• Ensure compliance with legal and industry regulations.

Skills

Sales leadership

Commercial acumen

Data-driven mindset

Interpersonal skills

Education

Proven experience in sales leadership

Full UK Driving License

Job description

As an Area Sales Manager at Scandinavian Tobacco Group, you will lead a high-performing team of Sales Representatives across the Midlands and Southern 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.

Sales Leadership

• 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.

Qualifications

• 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 License.

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.

Benefits

• 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.