Senior Manager, Direct Sales

Valvoline Global; Brackley; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading automotive service provider in Brackley is seeking a Senior Manager for Direct Sales to shape growth strategy in the Automotive Service Center. The position involves leading a Business Development Team to prospect and retain high-value customers, enhancing profitability and brand loyalty. Candidates should possess over 10 years of business development experience and expertise in strategic account acquisition. Join this dynamic team and drive Valvoline's continued success in the market.

Benefits

Health Savings Account

Competitive 401(k)

Short- and long-term disability insurance

Paid vacation and holidays

Employee discounts

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive business development experience, with minimum of 4–6 years in sales leadership.
• Proven success in strategic account development and customer acquisition.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic plans to engage 'Top 100' prospective customers.
• Drive growth by expanding Valvoline's market presence.
• Lead a high-performing business development team.

Skills

Strategic account development

Sales leadership

Commercial acumen

Business analysis

CRM proficiency

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Salesforce.com

SAP

BI tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

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Why Valvoline Global Operations?

At Valvoline Global Operations, we’re proud to be The Original Motor Oil, but we’ve never rested on being first. Founded in 1866, we introduced the world’s first branded motor oil, staking our claim as a pioneer in the automotive and industrial solutions industry. Today, as an affiliate of Aramco, one of the world’s largest integrated energy and chemicals companies, we are driven by innovation and committed to creating sustainable solutions for a better future.

With a global presence, we develop future-ready products and provide best-in-class services for our partners around the world. For us, originality isn’t just about where we began; it’s about where we’re headed and how we’ll lead the way. We are originality in motion.

Our Corporate Values

Our corporate values—Care, Integrity, Passion, Unity, and Excellence—are at the heart of everything we do. These values define how we operate, how we treat one another, and how we engage with our partners, customers, and the communities we serve. At Valvoline Global, we are united in our commitment to:

• • Treating everyone with care.
• • Acting with unwavering integrity.
• • Striving for excellence in all endeavors.
• • Delivering on our commitments with passion.
• • Collaborating as one unified team.

When you join Valvoline Global, you’ll become part of a culture that celebrates creativity, innovation, and excellence. Together, we’re shaping the future of automotive and industrial solutions.

The Senior Manager, Direct Sales plays a critical role in shaping Valvoline’s growth trajectory within the Automotive Service Center and Quick Lube channels. This position leads a dynamic Business Development Team responsible for accelerating new rooftop growth, maximizing profitability, and advancing Valvoline’s market leadership.

A key focus for this role is strategically prospecting, acquiring, and retaining “Top 100” high-value customers—building transformational partnerships that deliver measurable business results and long‑term brand loyalty.

This leader will elevate performance through visionary leadership, advanced business acumen, and disciplined financial insight, driving excellence in execution and developing future sales leaders capable of sustaining Valvoline’s growth momentum.

How You Make an Impact (Job Accountabilities)

Strategic Growth and Market Leadership

• Develop and execute strategic plans to identify, engage, and win “Top 100” prospective customers within target markets.
• Drive new rooftop and gross profit growth by expanding Valvoline’s footprint across key customer segments and channels.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally to align sales execution with enterprise strategy, pricing models, and financial performance targets.
• Champion Valvoline’s family of brands—including lubricants, antifreeze, filters, chemicals, and wiper blades—to deliver complete, value‑driven solutions.

Leadership and Team Development

• Lead, coach, and inspire a high‑performing Business Development Team to achieve stretch goals and deliver exceptional results.
• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement grounded in Valvoline’s core values.
• Provide strategic coaching and professional development to build future‑ready sales leaders capable of executing at the next level.
• Model decisive, values‑driven leadership that drives engagement, confidence, and collaboration across all levels of the organization.

Business and Financial Acumen

• Apply deep commercial insight and financial discipline to optimize deal structures, pricing, and profitability across new business accounts.
• Analyze performance metrics, market data, and customer trends to inform strategy and forecast results with precision.
• Partner closely with Sales Operations and Account Management to ensure sustainable growth, customer value creation, and win‑win outcomes.
• Leverage tools such as Salesforce, SAP, and BI analytics to track, evaluate, and enhance sales productivity and pipeline performance.

Operational Excellence

• Ensure consistent and effective execution of Valvoline’s value proposition across all sales activities.
• Lead the team in developing tailored contracts, proposals, and quotes that reinforce Valvoline’s competitive advantage.
• Coach the team on CRM utilization, pipeline management, and time optimization to drive efficiency and conversion rates.

What You Bring to the Role (Job Qualifications / Education / Skills / Requirements / Capabilities)

• Bachelor’s degree preferred, or equivalent professional experience.
• 10+ years of progressive business development experience, with a minimum of 4–6 years in sales leadership or management.
• Proven success in strategic account development and Top 100 customer acquisition within a B2B environment.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen with demonstrated ability to manage profitability, forecasting, and value‑based selling.
• Experience in the "Do-It-For-Me" (DIFM) automotive or heavy‑duty markets preferred.
• Proficiency with Salesforce.com, SAP, BI tools, and Microsoft Office Suite.

Strategic Prospecting & Account Development

Demonstrated ability to identify, qualify, and secure “Top 100” high‑value customers through disciplined research, engagement strategy, and long‑term relationship building.

Financial Acumen & Commercial Insight

Deep understanding of P&L management, margin optimization, and data‑driven decision‑making to ensure profitable, sustainable growth.

Leadership & Talent Development

Proven record of inspiring teams, elevating performance, and fostering a culture of ownership, accountability, and continuous learning.

Executive Communication & Influence

Skilled at articulating complex strategies, influencing senior stakeholders, and building alignment across functions and customer organizations.

Business Analytics & CRM Mastery

Expertise in Salesforce, SAP, and BI tools to translate data into insights that drive strategic action and performance visibility.

Resilience & Change Leadership

Ability to lead through change, balance competing priorities, and maintain composure while driving transformation in a fast‑paced environment.

Working Conditions / Physical Requirements / Travel Requirements

Working Conditions / Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift equipment and/or machinery up to 50 lbs
• Able to work in the elements of an automotive shop (ie heat, cold, noise, etc)

Travel Requirements:

• Up to 50%, overnight travel required

Benefits That Drive Themselves

• Health Savings Account (with employer base deposit and match)
• Competitive 401(k) with generous employer base deposit and match
• Short- and long‑term disability insurance
• Paid vacation and holidays*
• Employee discounts
• *Terms and conditions apply, and benefits may differ depending on position or tenure.

Valvoline Global is an equal opportunity employer. We are dedicated to fostering an environment where every individual feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives and skills. We strictly prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind, regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, genetics, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other legally protected characteristic.

We are committed to ensuring accessibility throughout our recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any stage of the recruitment or selection process, please contact us at:.

This contact information is solely for accommodation requests. For inquiries about application status, please use the appropriate channels listed in your application materials.

Are You Ready to Make an Impact?

At Valvoline Global, we’re looking for passionate and talented individuals to join our journey of innovation and excellence. Are you ready to shape the future with us? Apply today.