Head Of Sales

The Collective Network; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job description

Head of Sales
Location: Hertfordshire
A well-established and growing food and beverage manufacturer is seeking an experienced Head of Sales to lead and drive the company's commercial strategy. This is a fantastic opportunity for a results-driven sales leader to develop and execute a robust sales plan, manage key national accounts, and lead a high-performing team to support the company's ambitious growth plans.

Key Responsibilities

Sales Strategy & Growth

• Develop and implement a sales strategy aligned with company-wide growth objectives both in the UK and internationally.
• Identify new business opportunities and drive lead generation to expand market share.
• Work closely with the Marketing Director to align sales strategies with brand positioning, product innovation, and market trends.
• Ensure pricing strategies, contract negotiations, and commercial terms are structured to maximise profitability.
• Develop and maintain multi-level customer relationships with key stakeholders in retail, food service, and contract manufacturing.

Team Leadership & Performance

• Provide sales leadership across the business, ensuring the sales team is structured, aligned, and motivated to achieve strategic growth objectives.
• Strengthen the new business development function while ensuring existing accounts remain well-managed.
• Implement sales KPIs and performance metrics to track success and identify areas for improvement.

Commercial & Operational Collaboration

• Work closely with NPD, technical, and operations teams to ensure product and service offerings align with customer needs.
• Collaborate with supply chain and finance teams to ensure customer demands are met efficiently and profitably.
• Support the business in identifying opportunities for automation, efficiency improvements, and strategic partnerships to enhance sales.
• Ensure a data-driven approach to sales forecasting, budgeting, and financial planning.

Customer & Market Development

• Lead the customer relationship with a selection of key national accounts.
• Develop and execute customer engagement plans to strengthen key account relationships and attract new clients.
• Keep abreast of market trends, competitor activity, and industry innovations, using insights to inform sales strategies.
• Represent the company at industry events, trade shows, and networking opportunities to enhance business reputation and visibility.

Key Skills & Experience Required

• Proven track record in a senior sales leadership role within food or beverage manufacturing, FMCG, or food service.
• Strong experience in developing and executing sales strategies, driving revenue growth, and winning new business.
• Expertise in key account management, commercial negotiations, and pricing strategy.
• Experience managing a diverse sales team, ensuring high performance and development.
• Strong understanding of P&L management, forecasting, and data-driven decision-making.
• Ability to influence at board level and collaborate cross-functionally with marketing, operations, and finance teams.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and project management skills.

What's in it for you?

• Opportunity to shape the commercial strategy of a growing and ambitious business.
• Leadership role with autonomy and line management of three direct reports, including a Sales Manager.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Career development opportunities within a fast-growing organisation.

Benefits include:

• 23 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays - increasing to 25 days (3 years' service), 28 days (5 years' service), and 30 days (10 years' service).
• Free parking.
• Government pension scheme.
• Death in Service, including access to GP24.
• Enhanced Maternity/Paternity/Adoption leave.
• PerkBox, a discount scheme with hundreds of high street brands.

If you are a strategic sales leader looking for an exciting opportunity to make an impact in a growing business, we'd love to hear from you!