Director of Sales

Director of Sales

Location: UK

Salary: Competitive + Benefits

Our client is a well-established engineering and manufacturing business seeking an experienced Director of Sales to lead its commercial function and drive the next phase of growth.

This is a senior leadership position for a commercially astute individual who can combine strategic thinking with a hands-on approach. Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you will play a key role in shaping business strategy, developing customer relationships, identifying new market opportunities, and delivering sustainable revenue growth.

The Role

As Director of Sales, you will take ownership of the company's commercial performance, leading sales, business development, and customer engagement activities. Working closely with colleagues across the business, you will ensure commercial objectives are aligned with operational capability and long-term strategic goals.

You will be responsible for developing and executing growth strategies, strengthening relationships with key customers and industry partners, and ensuring the business achieves its revenue and profitability objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Commercial Leadership

Develop and implement the commercial strategy to support business growth and profitability

Deliver revenue, order intake, and margin target.

Identify and secure new business opportunities, customers, and markets.

Develop strategic partnerships that support long-term growth.

Provide commercial insight to support business planning and future investment decisions

Customer & Business Development

Build and maintain senior-level relationships with key customers and stakeholders.

Grow existing accounts while identifying opportunities for expansion.

Lead major commercial negotiations and customer engagements.

Act as the senior point of contact for significant commercial and contractual matters.

Monitor market trends and competitor activity to identify opportunities and risks.

Sales Leadership

Lead, coach, and develop the sales team, creating a high-performance culture.

Establish clear objectives, KPIs, and development plans.

Ensure accurate sales forecasting and pipeline management.

Drive collaboration across departments to ensure customer commitments are delivered effectively.

Support future recruitment and development of the commercial function.

Commercial Performance

Oversee CRM management, forecasting, and reporting processes.

Develop pricing strategies that balance competitiveness and profitability.

Manage commercial risk and ensure robust governance processes are in place.

Ensure all commercial activities are conducted in line with contractual, legal, and ethical standards.

Marketing & Market Presence

Support marketing and business development initiatives that drive lead generation and brand awareness.

Ensure alignment between sales and marketing activities.

Represent the business at exhibitions, industry events, and customer meetings.

Strengthen market presence and enhance the company's reputation within its sector.

About You

We are looking for a proven commercial leader who can demonstrate success in growing revenue, developing customer relationships, and leading sales teams within a technical environment.

Essential Experience

Significant experience in a senior sales or commercial leadership role.

Strong track record of delivering revenue growth and winning new business.

Experience leading and developing sales teams.

Excellent commercial, negotiation, and relationship management skills.

Strong forecasting, planning, and reporting capability.

Ability to operate strategically while remaining close to customers and opportunities

Experience within engineering, manufacturing, technical, or industrial sectors.

Comfortable working within an SME environment.

Desirable

Experience using CRM and sales reporting systems.

Exposure to marketing strategy and business development activities.

The Opportunity

This is an excellent opportunity to join a successful business with ambitious growth plans. You will have a genuine influence on commercial strategy, work closely with the senior leadership team, and play a pivotal role in shaping the future direction of the organisation. If you are a commercially driven leader looking for a role where you can make a tangible impact, we'd be delighted to hear from you