Sales Manager UK & Ireland

Hitachi Vantara Corporation; Sunderland; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a motivated Area/Territory Sales Manager to drive sales growth and develop new markets. This role involves managing daily sales activities, collaborating with distributor partners, and providing exceptional customer service. The ideal candidate will possess an engineering degree and 3-5 years of B2B sales experience in the industrial machinery sector. Join a forward-thinking company committed to sustainability and innovation, where your contributions will help shape a zero-carbon future. If you are results-oriented and a team player, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Benefits

Generous holiday entitlement

Flexible working options

Group Personal Pension

Private Medical Insurance

Employee Assistance Programme

Personal Accident Insurance

Voluntary cycling schemes

Gym memberships

Dental insurance

Health screening

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of B2B sales experience with a proven record.
• Background in industrial machinery or compressor industry.
• Willingness to travel approximately 50%.

Responsibilities

• Oversee sales growth strategy and manage customer relationships.
• Expand relationships with distributors and develop new channel partners.
• Train distributor sales teams and support sales efforts.

Skills

B2B Sales Experience

Communication Skills

Negotiation Skills

Presentation Skills

Channel Management

Proficiency in MS Office

Fluency in English

Bilingual Skills (Spanish, French, German)

Education

Engineering Degree

Tools

SAP

Job description

Description

Our Company

Hitachi drives Social Innovation Business, creating a sustainable society through the use of data and technology. We are a climate change innovator, partnering with cities, governments, and companies to cut carbon. We connect solutions through Hitachi’s Green Energy and Mobility initiatives, both physically and digitally, to deliver net-zero. For more information, visit our website at https://www.hitachi.com.

About Sullair - Hitachi Global Air Power (HGAP)

Sullair pioneered rotary screw technology in air compressors, renowned worldwide for durability. Founded in Michigan City, Indiana, in 1965, we serve global customers with offices in Chicago and manufacturing facilities in the US and China, all ISO 9001 certified. Our Sullair Suzhou facility holds ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and OHSAS 18001 certifications.

In July 2017, Sullair became part of the Hitachi Group and is now under Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems Co., Ltd. (HIES). In April 2023, HIES established Hitachi Global Air Power (HGAP) to unify its global compressed air business, with Sullair operating under this new entity. We remain the same organization with a new name reflecting our broader solutions and innovations.

What you’ll be doing

The Area/Territory Sales Manager will oversee the company's sales growth strategy, aiming for double-digit annual growth, developing new markets and distributor networks, and managing customer relationships within the territory.

• Manage daily sales activities, pipelines, distributor/channel partners, and customer concerns. Collaborate with RSM to negotiate sales agreements, ensure profitability, and address complaints.
• Expand relationships with current and new distributors, actively growing sales volume.
• Identify and develop new channel partners, including rental companies, while phasing out underperforming distributors.
• Enhance 'After Sales' activities, revenue, and presence.
• Provide excellent customer service, building strong relationships and responding promptly.
• Develop the stationary compressor business.
• Train distributor sales teams and support sales efforts.
• Drive distributor performance to meet or exceed goals.
• Assist in marketing campaign development and execution.
• Communicate marketing programs and product updates effectively.
• Become a trusted product and business consultant for distributors and sales teams.
• Create and implement a business/sales plan to surpass sales targets.
• Maintain communication with Sales and Product Management.
• Ensure compliance with environmental, ethical, and company policies.
• Meet or exceed client and distributor expectations.
• Share market insights, product ideas, and competitive intelligence.

What you bring to the team

We seek a motivated team player aligned with Hitachi’s vision. The role involves hybrid work with occasional office visits in Newcastle, UK.

The ideal candidate will have:

• An engineering degree or equivalent.
• 3-5 years of B2B sales experience with a proven record of achieving objectives through distributor and sales team leadership.
• Experience in industrial machinery/equipment, large construction machinery, or compressor industry.
• Background in channel/distributor account management.
• Willingness to travel approximately 50%, including overnight stays.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Professional demeanor, proactive attitude, and ability to communicate across all organizational levels.
• Fluent in English; bilingual skills in Spanish, French, or German are a plus.
• Proficiency in MS Office, sales applications, and SAP (advantage).

Key behaviors:

• Self-starter
• Results-oriented
• High ethical standards
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Team player with a positive attitude
• Effective communicator and collaborator

The role requires adherence to Sullair’s Code of Ethics and safety policies, supporting a safe and compliant workplace. This job description is flexible and may evolve with business needs.

Benefits Package

Includes a competitive salary, discretionary bonus, flexible working options, and a comprehensive benefits package:

• Generous holiday entitlement with buy-up options
• Holiday Banking scheme
• Group Personal Pension
• Private Medical Insurance (self-funded for family)
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Personal Accident Insurance

Voluntary benefits funded by employees include cycling schemes, gym memberships, dental insurance, health screening, and dining cards.

Our Values

We are committed to diversity and inclusion, guided by the Hitachi Spirit:

Wa – Harmony, Trust, Respect

Makoto – Sincerity, Fairness, Honesty, Integrity

Kaitakusha-Seishin – Pioneering Spirit, Challenge

If you are innovative, motivated, and eager to contribute to a zero-carbon future, we encourage you to apply!