Societe Generale Equipment Finance UK is a part of the global line of business of Societe Generale Equipment Finance (SGEF) which is present in 35 countries. SGEF provides vendor and equipment finance to the full breadth of the business sector. SGEF is owned by Societe Generale, an international banking group headquartered in France. SGEF UK’s office is based in Richmond-Upon-Thames. In the UK SGEF provides vendor and equipment finance in the Hi-tech, Transport, Construction, Industrial, Medical, Public Sector and Agriculture markets.
We are looking to recruit an area manager to manage and develop the agriculture channel for SGEF, specifically through utilisation of inventory finance via key dealer/manufacturer relationships on a national basis and deliver the required business results. The ideal candidate will be expected to have a desire and aptitude in generating, developing, and driving new business opportunities whilst managing existing relationships, maintaining our reputation for strong service levels. A high level of manufacturer and dealer management experience is desired, making best use of point-of-sale tools and direct initiatives to generate retail business in line with targeted objectives.
As an external area manager, this role will have continual contact with both internal and external customers therefore the ability to build relationships and prioritise work will be key to their success as will the ability to demonstrate empathy and understanding whilst maintaining a clear focus on the objective.
Primary responsibilities:
* Delivery of targeted retail and wholesale business objectives including volume, margin earnings and portfolio quality.
* Promote utilisation and achieve key business wholesale stocking strategies within selected manufacturers and dealers either direct or through brokers.
* Assist the conversion of wholesale stocking to retail finance in line with required budget using POS tools/direct or broker channel.
* Manage the successful acquisition and penetration of quality retail business
* Assist and help develop innovative sales strategies for the channel and implement with dealers, manufacturers, and vendors.
* Lead regular sales and marketing meetings for the channel with external relationships.
* Provide training to channel staff and devise training/presentations to dealers, manufacturers and vendors where required.
* Coordinate channel presence at trade shows and national events.
* Ongoing development of systems and processes to create and keep SGEF as best in class for customer service differentiating SGEF from the competition.
* Ensure compliance with FCA, money laundering and data protection regulation.
* Assist in the creation of new process and practices that can be copied by SGEF across other vendor channels to support flow business and deliver best in class service.
Other Duties:
* Work as part of the wider Agriculture sales team, providing guidance and support.
* Maintain excellent relationships with Manufacturers, dealers and customers to generate required sales volume and provide support in terms of system training, paperwork, ad-hoc queries.
* Ability to empathise with the customer and influence customer decisions.
* Establish and maintain excellent telephone & written service to key business influencers and customers in the quotation/sale and documentation of transactions.
* Develop the customer conversation, seeking and quoting on new business opportunities. Establishing SGEF as a funder of choice.
Other Functions:
* Testing of new system developments and enhancements.
Individual Requirements:
* Thorough knowledge of the agricultural industry.
* Thorough knowledge of the asset finance industry and products offered.
* Significant experience in sales and marketing management.
* Ability to communicate well both verbally, in writing and through formal presentation.
* Act with integrity always and embrace the philosophy of treating customers fairly.
* Willingness to work both from office and home base and undertake significant travel within the UK mainland.