Sales Account Manager (Garden Centres, Pet Centres, Independents)

Do you have experience of selling premium products into the Garden Centre arena? Do you have or have you recently had experience of building strong and successful relationships with specific Wildlife/Pet related Buyers within this channel? (Independent Pet Stores would be an added bonus!!)

We are working exclusively with a market - leading international wildlife related products brand, who manufacture and distribute specialist wildlife products designed to support wildlife conservation and encourage biodiversity.

Their products are designed to help people create wildlife-friendly environments in gardens or outdoor space and support a range of species including birds, bee, insects, and mammals.

The role:

Working as a Sales Account Manager and focussing on customer accounts in the south of the UK, you will be responsible for managing the B2B trade sales with independent retailers, garden centres and pet centres, leading to profitable sales growth within a defined geographical area (The South). The key operational responsibilities of the Sales Account Manager include (but are not limited to):

• Growing turnover in both new and existing retail accounts for the company by identifying opportunities and winning new listings and shelf space in store.

• Focussing on maximising customer acquisition and retention within the territory on a regular call cycle.
• Maintaining and optimising contacts with existing relationships to increase profitability.
• Issuing and discussing quotations and ensuring adequate follow-up.
• Provide training to in-store staff to ensure consumers receive best advice and messaging.
• The prompt and accurate resolution of customer queries.
• Report back to Line Manager on sales activities, setting and tracking accounts and listing targets.
• Managing own diary, planning routes and resources to maximise overall productivity.
• Conduct sales presentations, business proposals and product demonstrations.
• Attending trade exhibitions to meet with new and existing accounts.
• To provide the weekly and/or monthly commercial results and reports to the UK B2B Sales Manager.

The person:

To be considered for the role of Sales Account Manager, you must possess the following.

• Extensive B2B sales experience gained from the garden, pet or homewares industries selling a premium level product.
• Experience of selling into Garden Centres, Pet Stores, Independent retailers, Gift Shops etc.
• Experience managing accounts and building relationships.
• Enjoy presenting products and new concepts to retail buyers.
• Have a sales driven mindset with the ability to expand business, identify and develop new opportunities.
• Strong negotiation and influencing skills.
• The ability to work effectively under pressure to seasonal and customer deadlines.
• Strong commercial awareness and integrity.
• A clear communicator with intuitive relationship management skills.
• Happy to be predominantly field based covering South of UK.
• Based in the Southern half of the UK (Bristol, Swindon, Reading).
• A full UK Driving license.

The benefits:

• The job holder will enjoy a basic salary of up to £40,000 p.a + company car, laptop, mobile phone.
• An annual discretional gross bonus of maximum 2 monthly gross salaries, based on agreed target.
• Circa 5 weeks holiday (219 hours) + bank holidays

Contact: Sophie Simmonds

Reference: SS/91487

Candidate care:

By responding to this advert you consent to Cavendish Maine processing the personal data included within this application.

If your application is successful we will contact you to discuss the opportunity in more detail, within 48 hours of receiving your application.

Should you not hear from us within 3 working days please assume your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. Please be advised that if unsuccessful for this role we may keep your details in our hold file, during which time you may be contacted for other suitable vacancies. If you do not want us to do this please call us to advise.

In the meantime, we would like to thank you for your interest in Cavendish Maine.