Jobs in Middlesbrough, United States

Sales Director - Laundry, Cleaning & Home Products

Lead the UK growth of a premium, market-leading global brand into the Grocery Retail sector UK & Ireland

Base Salary: c 95,000 + 25% Bonus + Company Car + Benefits

Location: Remote - Monthly HQ Meetings (North West)

Our client is a top-tier, branded manufacturer whose household laundry, cleaning and household products are recognised and trusted by millions of consumers worldwide. With a strong UK footprint and European market leadership, their brands occupy top 1-3 positions in their categories across grocery, e-commerce, DIY, discounter channels. Known for quality, innovation, and brand heritage, they continue to compete successfully against private label by delivering compelling consumer value, innovation and product design.

This succession-critical appointment offers the opportunity to join the UK & Ireland leadership team and shape future growth for two iconic brands.

The Role

Reporting to the General Manager UK & Ireland, you will:

• Lead, coach, and inspire a team of high-performing Key Account Managers, ensuring clear objectives, professional development, and commercial success.
• Operate as a hands-on 'player-coach', personally managing key national grocery accounts at senior buyer and category director level.
• Drive P&L performance for a multi million retail business, delivering channel growth strategies across grocery, discounters, DIY, and online (including Amazon).
• Win new listings, expand distribution, close range gaps, and strengthen brand presence in-store.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with category, marketing, and supply chain teams to launch innovative NPD and deliver impactful category plans.
• Represent the UK business within a pan-European, matrix environment, influencing group strategy while tailoring plans to the UK market.

About You

We are seeking a graduate calibre, strategic sales leader with:

• A proven background in non-food general household or general merchandise branded goods - ideally from a market leader or top 5 category brand.
• Experience selling branded household goods, health and beauty, laundry, cleaning, baby care, or other branded general merchandise.
• Experience selling into UK grocery and multi-channel retail, including discounters, DIY, and e-commerce. Grocery sector experience is a prerequisite.
• Strong P&L management skills and a track record of sustained revenue and margin growth.
• Leadership credentials in developing, coaching, and inspiring high-performance sales teams.
• A balance of hunter and farmer skills - protecting and growing existing business while opening new accounts and channels.
• Pan-European or multinational matrix experience, with the ability to influence and collaborate across functions and geographies.
• Exceptional negotiation, relationship-building, and influencing skills at senior retail level.

The Offer

Base Salary: c 95000

Bonus: Up to 25% (based on personal, UK, and European performance)

Company Car: Premium brand or allowance ( 6-8k)

Benefits: Private healthcare, pension (8-10% ER), life assurance, income protection, well-being programme, 32 days holiday, EV charging, and more

Location: Remote with monthly HQ visits and regular customer travel

Why Join?

This is a high-profile opportunity to take ownership of the UK retail sales agenda for two well-loved brands with a premium market position and ambitious growth plans. You will have the autonomy to shape strategy, the support of a collaborative leadership team, and the resources of a major global group.

If you are a commercially sharp, innovative sales leader from a market-leading non-food household brand, ready to step into a role that blends strategic leadership with hands-on commercial delivery, we would like to hear from you.