Group Sales Director

Listgrove; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job description

INTERNATIONAL RECRUITMENT & HR EXPERTS ACROSS THE PLASTICS, PACKAGING, SPECIALITY CHEMICALS, LIFE SCIENCES, BIOPOLYMER, FOOD ADDITIVES & INGREDIENTS, ENERGY AND RECYCLING SECTORS SINCE 1975.

UK Based – preferably commutable to Staffordshire with frequent travel to sites and customers

Job ref: JE /64022

The Client:

Avon Group is a leading manufacturing organisation operating across multiple business units within the UK and internationally. The company specialises in high–performance engineered components, servicing the automotive, industrial, and packaging sectors. With a strong history of growth through acquisition and organic expansion, the Group operates across 10 businesses in the UK and US, supplying over 3,000 customers in 26 countries.

Primary Role:

The Group Sales Director will be responsible for leading, aligning, and optimising the sales function across the Group, with an initial focus on the automotive sector. The role involves developing and executing a cohesive sales strategy to drive growth and cross–selling opportunities across the business units. This is a hands–on leadership role, requiring direct engagement with customers and sales teams on–site.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Develop and implement a cohesive Group–wide sales strategy, ensuring alignment across all business units.
2. Provide direct leadership to the sales teams.
3. Drive sales growth by maximising cross–selling opportunities across the Group's portfolio.
4. Establish a strong market presence, actively engaging with key customers to strengthen relationships and identify new business opportunities.
5. Monitor and improve underperforming sales functions, ensuring clear accountability and targeted action plans.
6. Support and guide the Industrial Sales Manager to align the sales efforts across both automotive and industrial sectors.
7. Ensure sales operations are conducted in alignment with business objectives, driving increased profitability.
8. Develop key account management strategies to maximise value per customer, particularly within the UK automotive market.
9. Develop a high–performing sales team, fostering a proactive and results–driven culture.
10. Implement robust sales performance metrics and reporting structures to track and enhance commercial success.
11. Maintain a deep understanding of market trends and competitive positioning to inform strategic decision–making.
12. Represent the company at industry events, exhibitions, and trade shows to enhance brand visibility and business development efforts.

Experience & Qualifications:

1. Proven experience in a senior sales leadership role within the automotive manufacturing sector.
2. A track record of driving sales growth and improving underperforming sales functions.
3. Strong technical understanding of manufacturing processes, particularly in engineered components.
4. Ability to develop and execute sales strategies that drive revenue and profitability.
5. Hands–on leadership style with a preference for in–person engagement rather than remote management.
6. Experience managing cross–functional teams across multiple business units.
7. Strong negotiation, communication, and relationship–building skills.
8. Commercial acumen with experience in pricing strategies, budgeting, and sales forecasting.
9. Willingness to travel extensively across sites and customer locations.

Personal Attributes:

1. Highly motivated, with a strong sense of accountability and ownership.
2. Hands–on approach, leading from the front and working alongside the team.
3. Strong leadership skills, capable of inspiring and driving a sales team to success.
4. Resilient and adaptable, with the ability to navigate complex sales environments.
5. Excellent problem–solving skills and the ability to make data–driven decisions.
6. Commercially astute, with a strategic mindset and attention to detail.

For UK–based roles, candidates must be eligible to work and live in the United Kingdom. Proof of eligibility will be required during the application process.