Sales Manager

Location: Field-based across the North East, Yorkshire or surrounding areas, with regular travel to Hartlepool
Salary: Up to £60,000 DOE
Benefits: Performance-related bonus, company car, pension and additional company benefits

The opportunity

We are recruiting for a leading corrugated packaging manufacturer looking to appoint an experienced Senior Territory Manager to support the continued growth of its North East operation.

The position combines new business development and account growth with a clear route into external sales management. The successful candidate will initially focus on developing their territory, creating a strong pipeline and building relationships with new and existing customers.

For someone with at least five years’ corrugated packaging sales experience and previous management exposure, responsibility for the external sales team could be introduced relatively quickly. Alternatively, an ambitious salesperson with some leadership experience could develop into the Sales Manager position over approximately six to twelve months.

Key responsibilities

• Develop new business across an agreed regional territory.
• Build a credible pipeline of high-value corrugated packaging opportunities.
• Manage and grow a portfolio of existing customer accounts.
• Develop relationships with purchasing managers and senior commercial decision-makers.
• Understand customers’ packaging, operational and supply-chain requirements.
• Work closely with internal commercial, design, customer service and manufacturing teams.
• Produce accurate forecasts and maintain detailed CRM records.
• Follow the company’s structured sales process from initial opportunity through to delivery.
• Identify opportunities that can be supported by the wider manufacturing group.
• Progressively take responsibility for coaching and managing the external sales team.
• Help establish team targets, monitor performance and support individual development.
• Contribute to the future growth and structure of the regional sales operation.

Candidate requirements

• At least five years’ experience selling corrugated packaging.
• A proven record of winning new business and growing existing accounts.
• Previous team leadership, coaching or people-management experience.
• Commercially driven, with the ability to develop larger-value opportunities.
• Experience selling into FMCG, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, industrial, manufacturing or e-commerce markets.
• Confidence dealing directly with purchasing managers and senior commercial contacts.
• Organised and comfortable working within a structured, process-driven business.
• Strong CRM discipline and the ability to manage opportunities from prospecting through to completion.
• A collaborative approach and the ability to work across sales, commercial, design and manufacturing.
• Based within approximately 60–90 minutes of Hartlepool.
• Full UK driving licence.

Ref: 1705965