Head of Sales

UBT; Bognor Regis; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

24 days holiday

Hybrid work

Job summary

UBT is seeking an experienced Interim Head of Sales to lead the commercial function during a pivotal growth period. You will own strategy, inspire a four-strong sales team, and drive revenue across existing accounts while building new opportunities.

The role blends client visits, office collaboration, and hybrid working, reporting to the Managing Director. You will shape the commercial direction, engage senior stakeholders, and accelerate growth in the retail sector with a credible, hands-on

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading high-performing sales teams.
• Previous experience managing and developing senior-level direct reports.
• Proven track record of growing existing accounts while securing new business.
• Essential retail sector experience with understanding of retail customers and cycles.
• Established network within the retail sector to generate opportunities.
• Strong commercial acumen with forecasting, pipeline management and sales performance.
• Experience contributing at Executive or Leadership Team level.
• Excellent communication, coaching and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the existing sales strategy and refine it to achieve ambitious objectives.
• Drive growth across the client portfolio through relationship development and strategic account expansion.
• Lead new business acquisition and build a robust sales pipeline.
• Develop and strengthen relationships with key retail customers and expand through your network.
• Represent the business in high-level pitches, negotiations and commercial discussions.
• Lead, coach and develop a team of direct reports with a culture of accountability and improvement.
• Deliver accurate forecasting, pipeline reporting and commercial insight to the MD and Leadership Team.
• Collaborate across the business to ensure promises align with delivery.
• Maintain a visible presence with clients and in the office, with hybrid working.

Skills

Sales leadership

Forecasting

Pipeline management

Stakeholder management

Retail experience

Executive presence

Job description

Lead. Influence. Deliver Growth.

An established and ambitious business operating within the retail sector is seeking an experienced Interim Head of Sales to take ownership of its commercial function during a pivotal period of growth and transformation.

This is more than a leadership role. It's an opportunity to shape commercial direction, inspire a high-performing sales team, and make an immediate impact across both existing customer relationships and new business acquisition.

We're looking for someone who thrives in fast-paced environments, can quickly establish credibility, and is equally comfortable developing strategy as they are rolling up their sleeves to win business.

The role offers flexibility, with a blend of client visits, office-based collaboration and the option to work from home one or two days per week.

The Opportunity

As Interim Head of Sales, you'll lead the sales function with full responsibility for commercial performance, driving revenue growth across existing accounts while building a strong pipeline of new opportunities.

Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you'll play a key role within the Leadership Team, influencing business strategy and working closely with Operations, Marketing and Supply Chain to deliver ambitious commercial objectives.

You'll also lead and develop a team of four direct reports, empowering them to achieve their potential while building a high-performance culture focused on collaboration, accountability and results.

Retail experience is essential. Whether you've worked within a retailer or have successfully sold products or services into the retail sector, you'll understand the commercial realities, buying cycles and expectations of retail customers and be confident engaging with senior stakeholders. Existing relationships and an established network within the retail sector would be highly advantageous and will enable you to make an immediate impact.

What You'll Be Doing

• Taking ownership of the existing sales strategy, refining and delivering it to achieve ambitious commercial objectives.
• Driving growth across an established client portfolio through relationship development, retention and strategic account expansion.
• Leading new business acquisition, building a robust sales pipeline and converting opportunities into long-term partnerships.
• Developing and strengthening relationships with key retail customers and identifying opportunities to expand the business through your existing network.
• Representing the business in high-level pitches, negotiations and commercial discussions.
• Leading, coaching and developing a team of four direct reports, creating a culture of accountability, performance and continuous improvement.
• Delivering accurate forecasting, pipeline reporting and commercial insight to the Managing Director and Leadership Team.
• Working collaboratively across the business to ensure customer promises align with operational delivery.
• Maintaining a visible presence with clients and within the office, building strong internal and external relationships while benefiting from flexible hybrid working.

Requirements

You'll be an accomplished sales leader who has operated at Head of Sales level, ideally within an interim or transformation environment. You're commercially astute, highly credible with senior decision-makers and have a proven ability to deliver results through both strategic leadership and hands-on execution.

You'll bring:

• Significant experience leading high-performing sales teams.
• Previous experience managing and developing senior-level direct reports.
• A proven track record of growing existing accounts while securing new business.
• Essential retail sector experience, either working within retail or selling into retail organisations.
• An established network of contacts within the retail sector and the ability to leverage existing relationships to generate commercial opportunities.
• Strong commercial acumen with expertise in forecasting, pipeline management and sales performance.
• Experience contributing at Executive or Leadership Team level.
• Excellent communication, coaching and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience within logistics, fulfilment, supply chain or wider B2B services would be advantageous but is not essential.

This is an outstanding opportunity to join a well-established business at a pivotal stage of its journey, where your expertise will directly influence commercial success and future growth.

You'll report directly to the Managing Director, lead an experienced team, and enjoy genuine autonomy to shape the commercial direction of the business. Alongside a competitive salary of £80,000 - £90,000, the package includes a car allowance, 24 days' holiday, and flexible hybrid working with a mix of office presence, client visits and the opportunity to work from home sometimes.

If you're a commercially driven sales leader with strong retail expertise, an established industry network and a passion for making an immediate impact, we'd love to hear from you.