SALES MANAGER, AT THE HELM/HYDELINE

As an experienced sales manager, you will be responsible for building and nurturing strong relationships with our retail customers while driving improved sales performance and providing effective leadership to your team. This role demands a hands-on, strategic, and creative approach to sales and relationship management.

You will bring a solid understanding of large chain retail operations and the manufacturing supply chain, combined with a strong data- and analytics-driven mindset to inform decision-making.

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of proactively managing a sales team, demonstrating measurable growth and improvement. While our industry remains rooted in tradition, we strive to be forward-thinking and innovative, blending traditional sales methods with cutting-edge digital techniques and in-store communication strategies.

The objectives and responsibilities include:

Sales performance management

• Collaborate with the board to define and monitor sales performance targets for regional account managers and key accounts
• Actively manage and support of regional account managers across the UK and Ireland to drive sales growth
• Negotiate key commercial terms with new and existing accounts, providing assistance to regional account managers as required
• Improve business sales performance and practice across the business
• Organise and lead regular sales and marketing meetings
• Provide senior management with regular sales analysis reports and actionable insight

Market and product development

• Utilise market expertise to drive product development initiatives, advising the CEO and design team on product trends, especially in leathers and fabrics
• Project-manage new model development and delivery from a sales perspective
• Collaborate with retail buyers and internal teams to identify new product opportunities

Retailer and customer relations

• Establish and develop strong relationships with target retailer buyers and key stakeholders
• Develop customer understanding and affinity for the At The Helm and Hydeline lifestyle brands
• Ensure retail staff are trained to effectively promote product ranges
• Grow sales and product ranges with existing retailer partners
• Handle retailer requests and communication efficiently and professionally

Sales operations and marketing support 

• Ensure retailer orders are processed and fulfilled to brand standards
• Align stock planning between retailers and internal teams
• Work with marketing to deliver innovative point-of-sale (PoS) materials and enhance in-store brand galleries
• Capture and communicate feedback from retail buyers, store staff and consumers to support continuous improvement and development
• Assist marketing in exploring digital and online opportunities to drive retail sales

Administration and communication

• Maintain effective communication between office and customers
• Ensure accurate sales documentation
• Perform other related duties, as required

Personal qualities and qualifications

• You will have industry experience in furniture, particularly upholstery and leather sofas (cabinetry and lighting would be highly advantageous)
• 3-5 years’ experience in senior sales management is essential
• Highly organised, with exceptional attention to detail and understanding of top-quality brand representation
• Effective communicator with internal and external personnel of various roles and working styles
• A strong strategic and commercial mindset with a proven track record of driving client acquisition, conversion and retention growth using a broad range of marketing channels
• Ability to demonstrate creative and innovative thinking
• A strong understanding of ecommerce and digital marketing in interiors
• Commercially astute, with the ability to interpret data and extract actionable insights
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Comfortable learning new systems and tools and effectively prioritising multiple projects
• Degree-level qualification (preferred but not essential)

What do we offer?

Competitive salary + package (including commission-based performance, car allowance), Employee Assistance Programme, private medical insurance, pension and other employee benefits.

This is a hybrid role involving liaison with Hydeline's Milton Keynes HQ.