Who We’re Looking For:
We are seeking a dynamic Sales Manager to lead and develop our sales team, driving business growth through pallet network distribution, warehousing, fulfilment, and general haulage services. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in logistics sales and be able to motivate a team to achieve ambitious sales targets.
You will be responsible for building strong relationships with both existing and prospective customers, identifying new business opportunities, and delivering tailored logistics solutions. You’ll need solid leadership, strategic thinking, and strong interpersonal skills to succeed in this role.
Sales Strategy & Planning:
Develop and execute sales strategies that align with company goals for pallet network distribution, warehousing, fulfillment, and general haulage services. Set realistic and challenging sales targets for the team, ensuring each sales rep is clear on their goals. Identify the key vertical markets and geographic strongholds that require accelerated organic growth. Identify new market opportunities and trends in the logistics industry, adjusting strategies to maximise growth. Identify areas for cross-selling across the company and the wider GBA group/depot structures. Identify the seasonality of the existing customer base and look to complement with another customer during planned off-seasons.
Client Acquisition & Relationship Management:
Achieve in full a net sales target as an individual and as a team. Build and maintain strong relationships with key clients in the logistics and supply chain sector, ensuring high levels of customer satisfaction. Lead efforts to acquire new business, focusing on companies requiring pallet distribution, warehousing, and haulage services. Identify and pursue opportunities to upsell and cross-sell across the company's service offerings. Handle escalations and complex client negotiations, ensuring contracts are beneficial and aligned with company objectives. Identify key tender opportunities with local and national companies, as well as liaising with 3PLs for potential sub-contraction opportunities.
Team Leadership & Management:
Lead, mentor, and manage a team of sales representatives, providing them with training, support, and motivation. Monitor team performance through regular reviews, offering feedback, and developing improvement plans where necessary. Foster a positive and collaborative team environment, driving a culture of success and accountability.
Sales Operations & Reporting:
Oversee the sales pipeline, ensuring that leads are being managed effectively and closed in a timely manner. Provide detailed weekly and monthly reports on sales performance, forecasting, and pipeline health to senior management. Collaborate with the Sales Operations Manager to ensure that the sales process is smooth, efficient, and customer-focused.
Pricing & Quoting:
Develop and manage competitive pricing strategies for pallet distribution, warehousing, and general haulage services, ensuring high margins are maintained at all times. Work closely with the operations and finance teams to ensure that pricing reflects the operational capacity and financial objectives. Ensure that all proposals and quotes are accurate, timely, and tailored to meet client needs while maintaining company standards and being aware of compliance sign-off for certain goods and services. Coordination for RFQ, RFP, RTT, and other forms of tender submissions. Assist in developing pricing strategies for pallet network, warehousing, and haulage services. Manage the creation of accurate quotes and proposals, ensuring profitability and alignment with operational capacity.
Sales Forecasting & Market Analysis:
Conduct regular market analysis to understand industry trends, competitor strategies, and potential market shifts that could impact sales. Use data to forecast future sales, adjust targets accordingly, and help the business plan for operational demands based on sales performance.
Collaboration with Other Departments:
Coordinate with operations and logistics teams to ensure the services being sold can be delivered efficiently and to a high standard. Work closely with marketing to develop promotional materials and campaigns that support sales efforts and lead generation. Collaborate with the customer service team to ensure seamless handover from sales to operations and resolve any service issues promptly.
Sales Process Improvement:
Continuously review and improve the sales process to increase efficiency and close rates. Implement best practices for sales techniques, CRM usage, and customer engagement.
Networking:
Enhance networking opportunities for the team and the Board of Directors. Maximise marketing opportunities with trade press for any major contract wins or significant contract extensions.
Key Characteristics:
* Proven experience in selling logistics services, specifically pallet network distribution, warehousing, fulfillment, and general haulage.
* A track record of meeting or exceeding sales targets in a fast-paced environment.
* Experience managing a sales team, with strong leadership and mentoring skills.
* In-depth knowledge of the logistics industry, including an understanding of pricing models, contract management, and service delivery.
* Strong negotiation skills and experience handling large client accounts and complex contracts.
* Ability to use data and CRM systems to manage sales pipelines and forecasting.
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels.
* A strategic mindset, with the ability to identify new business opportunities and align sales strategies with company growth plans.
About Quality Service Recruitment:
We are proud to be one of the leading staffing agencies in the Midlands and South Yorkshire.With eight offices stretching from Hinckley to Rotherham, and a head office in Nottingham, we offer high-quality permanent and temp recruitment services with a unique insight into the local market.We started as a specialist recruiter of HGV drivers back in 1993 and quickly gained a reputation for excellent service evolving into the our business today