Field Sales Specialist

VanRath; Belfast; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency is seeking a Sales Specialist to join a vibrant drinks division. This role involves managing retail and wholesale accounts in Northern Ireland, driving sales performance, and building long-lasting customer relationships. Applicants should have proven experience in FMCG sales and a strong commercial acumen, along with excellent communication skills. The position offers a competitive salary, bonus potential, and a company car.

Benefits

10% Bonus

Company Car (Fuel Covered)

Laptop & Phone

Industry-Leading Training

Clear Career Progression

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a sales role, ideally within FMCG or beverage distribution.
• Ability to manage targets, budgets, and customer relationships.
• Holds a full UK driving licence and comfortable with regular travel.

Responsibilities

• Drive sales performance across customer base, achieving commercial targets.
• Build and nurture customer partnerships within wholesale and retail accounts.
• Roll out national promotional plans ensuring compliance.
• Collaborate with internal teams to align on strategy.
• Use data to identify growth opportunities and close distribution gaps.
• Maintain financial oversight of accounts and submit key updates.

Skills

Sales experience in FMCG

Commercial acumen

Excellent communication skills

Organised and self-motivated

Job description

VANRATH is thrilled to be working once again with a major name in the FMCG distribution space, supporting the recruitment of a Sales Specialist within their expanding drinks division. This is a business that puts people first - offering 5-star training, clear development pathways, and a culture built on collaboration and commercial excellence.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced sales professional to join a vibrant team and make a real impact across Northern Ireland's retail and wholesale drinks market.

Location: Belfast (Field-Based Role - 3 Days on the Road / 2 Days Home-Based)
Schedule: Monday to Friday | Permanent
Salary: £28,000 + 10% Bonus + Company Car (Fuel Covered) + Laptop & Phone + Industry-Leading Training & Clear Career Progression

The Opportunity

As a Territory Account Executive, you'll manage a portfolio of wholesale and retail customers, building strong commercial relationships and driving soft drinks sales across your territory. Working in both new business and account management, you'll focus on increasing product distribution, delivering compelling brand activation, and supporting promotional strategies aligned with national campaigns.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive sales performance across your customer base, achieving commercial targets and delivering brand-led growth.

• Build and nurture customer partnerships within wholesale and retail accounts, aligning activity with brand and shopper marketing goals.

• Roll out national promotional plans locally, ensuring availability, visibility, and compliance with merchandising standards.

• Translate brand and sales objectives into customer-specific business plans that support menu cycles, launches, and NPD initiatives.

• Collaborate with internal teams (Brand, Commercial Planning, Activation, NPD) to align on strategy and ensure execution meets expectations.

• Use data and insights to identify growth opportunities, close distribution gaps, and increase brand presence in-store.

• Feed back market intelligence, competitor activity, and customer insight to support broader business and brand strategy.

• Maintain financial oversight of your accounts, including debt management, credit issue resolution, and spend tracking within agreed terms.

• Accurately complete reporting and submit key updates to stakeholders across the commercial, brand, finance, and operations functions.

About You

• Proven experience in a sales role, ideally within FMCG, field sales, or beverage distribution.

• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to manage targets, budgets, and customer relationships.

• Excellent communication skills - confident in pitching, negotiating, and relationship building.

• Organised and self-motivated, with strong planning and prioritisation abilities.

• Able to adapt to customer needs and business changes quickly and effectively.

• Holds a full UK driving licence and comfortable with regular travel across Northern Ireland.

For more information on this role, please reach out to Jack Groves @ VANRATH for a confidential chat.