Sales Manager

Fred. Olsen Travel; Mid Suffolk; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A well-established travel company in Ipswich is seeking a Sales Manager to lead their Reservations Sales Department. The ideal candidate will ensure exceptional service, meet sales targets, and drive team development. Experience in the travel industry is desirable, but a strong ability to enhance sales performance is essential. Join a team that values customer satisfaction and professional growth.

Benefits

Bupa Private Medical

Life Assurance

Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Pay

Discounted Travel

Cruise Concessions

Retail discounts

Cash back incentives

Qualifications

• Previous experience within the travel industry would be desirable but not essential.
• Ability to drive continuous improvement and manage projects.
• Experience in leading and developing sales teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Reservations Sales Department to deliver exceptional service.
• Ensure the department meets and exceeds budgeted sales targets.
• Drive strategy and implement best practices.

Skills

Sales performance

Customer satisfaction

Project management

Team leadership

Job description

Overview

Sales Manager

CAPTION: Job details

Posting date: 26 September 2025
Hours: Full time
Closing date: 13 October 2025
Location: Ipswich, IP1 5LL
Company: Vacancy Filler
Job type: Permanent
Job reference: SEP20252429

Summary

Fred. Olsen Travel was established in 1988 with family values at its heart with a passion to create unforgettable holiday experiences. As one of the UK's most established travel companies, we continue to provide an environment where our people can thrive, and where growth and great culture go hand-in-hand. We are proud to provide an outstanding customer service, choice and value for money through our distinct specialist areas. With 28 retail travel branches distributed across East Anglia and the South Coast, our retail team are on hand to offer holiday advice whenever needed. We are also the UK General Sales Agents for Star Clippers, Amadeus River Cruises, Pandaw River Cruises and American Cruise Lines. Additionally, from our Head Office in Ipswich we operate Fred. Olsen Business Travel providing a full corporate travel service and Fred. Holidays specialising in tailormade holidays in Rail and cruises, as well as Go Cruise and Travel Franchises.

Our mission is to be a world class provider of travel products and services with a reputation for outstanding customer service, unrivalled choice, exceptional quality and value for money. As the Sales Manager you will be responsible for leading the Reservations Sales Department to deliver exceptional service, strong sales performance, and operational efficiency. This role ensures the department meets and exceeds budgeted sales, conversion, and income targets while maintaining outstanding customer satisfaction. This is a pivotal role which will drive strategy, implement best practice processes, and provide coaching and development to build a highly motivated, skilled, and results-driven team.

Working closely with senior leadership and other business areas, you will play a key role in delivering growth and supporting the long-term success of Fred. Tour Operations. Previous experience within the travel industry would be desirable however not essential, we are keen to hear from candidates who have the ability to drive continuous improvement and manage projects whilst creating and managing a highly successful sales teams.

This is a permanent Full-Time position based at our Head Office (Fred Olsen House, White House Road, Ipswich, IP1 5LL) Working 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday, with Saturdays as required according to business needs. Fred. Olsen Travel offers a wide range of exciting employee benefits including but not limited to Bupa Private Medical, Life Assurance, Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Pay, Discounted Travel, Cruise Concessions plus retail discounts and cash back incentives through our MyBenefits scheme. Attached to this advert you will find a full overview of the fantastic benefits we offer, along with a detailed Job Profile for this position.

We know our people are our biggest strength, and we\'re determined to continuously enhance the way we manage, develop, and lead. Here at Fred. Olsen Travel we are proud to be accredited by Investors in People, and we take pride in putting our employees first.

Values

• Customer Driven: We strive to look through the lens of each customer to ensure we continuously put their needs and expectations at the heart of everything we do.
• Valuing Diversity: We believe differing views and experiences make us stronger. By working to create a representative and inclusive business, we can deliver the right solution to our customers in the right way.
• Investing in people: We believe that by continuously seeking to grow personally and professionally develop our people, we can improve our future today.
• Winning Together: We deliver our best outcomes and results when we all pull in the same direction, creating a positive team spirit where people feel valued, support each other and share in success together.
• Doing the right thing: We pride ourselves on doing what is right and building trust in every situation with our people, customers and community.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Reservations Sales Department to deliver exceptional service, strong sales performance, and operational efficiency.
• Ensure the department meets and exceeds budgeted sales, conversion, and income targets while maintaining outstanding customer satisfaction.
• Drive strategy, implement best practice processes, and provide coaching and development to build a highly motivated, skilled, and results-driven team.
• Collaborate with senior leadership and other business areas to support growth and long-term success.
• Manage projects and drive continuous improvement while building and leading a successful sales team.

Requirements / Qualifications

• Previous experience within the travel industry would be desirable but not essential.
• Ability to drive continuous improvement and manage projects while creating and managing a highly successful sales team.
• Experience in leading and developing sales teams.
• Permanent full-time availability, 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday, with Saturdays as required.

Details

• Location: Ipswich, IP1 5LL
• Company: Vacancy Filler
• Job type: Permanent
• Posting date: 26 September 2025
• Closing date: 13 October 2025
• Job reference: SEP20252429

Benefits

Fred. Olsen Travel offers a wide range of employee benefits including but not limited to Bupa Private Medical, Life Assurance, Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Pay, Discounted Travel, Cruise Concessions plus retail discounts and cash back incentives through our MyBenefits scheme. Attached to this advert you will find a full overview of the benefits we offer, along with a detailed Job Profile for this position.

Equal Opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We want to ensure that you feel supported throughout the application process and provide reasonable adjustments where necessary and requested. If you require any reasonable adjustments as part of your application and interview process, please do not hesitate to let us know.