Location:Home based South/South West
About us
Rowcliffe & Hawkridge are one of Britains leading importers and distributors of quality cheese and fine foods, supplying premium independent retailers, foodservice and supermarkets since 1967.
Our mission since 1967 is to champion and support artisan producers from all over Britain and Europe and that has not changed since becoming part of the Lactalis Group, who are the worlds leading dairy group, in 2023. Rowcliffe & Hawkridge are committed to offering best in class products whilst maintaining an outstanding and friendly level of service. As well as offering a range of our own branded products, we also offer our customers over 500 cheeses and a plethora of speciality chilled and ambient products including: charcuterie, olives, olive oils, vinegars, butters and pastries and we continue to develop this range to meet the needs of our customers.
We are now looking to recruit an enthusiastic, initiative-taking Area Sales Manager to join our team and service, develop and grow sales in the South and South West
Job Purpose
- Effectively and efficiently manage independent sales in a designated geographical area by growing customers whilst maintaining a loyal customer base.
- Meet and exceed quarterly sales targets within strict company guidelines and profit margins.
- Provide exceptional customer service.
- Champion and promote our producers and our own branded products.
- Work in collaboration with fellow colleagues, ensuringa happy, productive, and enjoyable working environment free from discrimination or discourse.
- Comply with Company policies and procedures including Health & Safety.
Summary of Main Duties/Tasks and Responsibilities
Sales
- Identify sales prospects, follow-up on leads and generate sales within assigned geographical area to meet or exceed set sales targets.
- Constantly monitor competitor activity, especially with regards to their offerings and what to offer as alternatives, and to identify any other openings/opportunities.
- Working collaboratively with the Sales Manager to develop and deliver an effective independent selling strategy for assigned geographical area with focus on growing customers while maintaining an established customer base.
- Develop cohesive and collaborative working relationships with the Telesales Executives assigned to your geographical area.
- Develop exceptional knowledge of Company products, services, and promotions.
- Produce and analyse monthly Sales reports and KPIs as required for assigned geographical area, ensuring corrective action is taken as agreed with Sales Manager.
- Responsible for self-management of time, schedules, and customer appointments.
- Working effectively and efficiently to achieve targets in sales and customer services.
- Maintain detailed records of sales activity and submit these in a timely manner to line-manager.
Customer Service
- Using the companys CRM systems, work with the Telesales team in delivering first-class, long-term, and sustainable customer relationships.
- Provide the Contact Centre Manager with regular and constructive feedback on performance of Telesales staff, including developmental needs identified, with the overall aim of improving customer service.
- Collaborating with the Contact Centre Manager, help develop, improve, and implement customer service policies, procedures, and standards, including feedback or complaints procedures for customers to use.
- Build collaborative working relationships across other departments such as Finance, Stock Control, and the Warehouse.
- Work collaboratively with the Sales Manager and Finance team on Credit Control issues.
Person Specification
Qualifications
- GCSE or equivalent as a minimum.
Experience
- A background in sales within chilled food sector, at least three years.
- Proven history of increasing sales and maximising opportunities.
- Experienced in conducting meetings and presentations in a professional and considerate manner.
Knowledge
- Knowledge of Company products (cheese) and be able to discuss value with clients.
- Knowledge of target customers to advance the Companys image and sales.
- Understanding of sales targets and key performance indicators.
Skills and abilities
- Strong negotiation, influencing and persuading skills.
- Excellent communication and team working skills.
- Ability to generate meaningful reports and statistics.
Personal qualities
- Uses own initiative.
- Flexible and adaptable in approach.
- Team player.
- Positive can do attitude.
- A polite, tactful, and friendly attitude.
Motivation
- Demonstrates drive and is target driven.
- Strong motivational skills.
- Strong commitment to providing an excellent customer service.
- Proactive approach to work.