Job Description:

Area Sales Manager – Materials Handling

Location: Devizes, covering the South West
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience
Hours: Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week
Benefits: Company car, laptop, mobile phone and 24 days' annual leave plus bank holidays

The Opportunity

Interaction Recruitment is recruiting on behalf of a growing materials handling solutions business for an experienced Area Sales Manager to drive sales growth across the South West.

The company supplies a comprehensive range of materials handling, powered access and cleaning equipment to customers across the UK.

This is an excellent opportunity for an established sales professional with a background in the forklift industry to take ownership of an existing territory, develop key customer relationships and drive new business.

While there is an established customer base to build upon, the main focus will be on winning new business, identifying opportunities and increasing the company's presence across the region.

The Role

Reporting to the National Hire & Sales Manager, you will manage and develop your territory, taking responsibility for the full sales process from prospecting and appointment setting through to product demonstrations, negotiation and closing deals.

You'll take a consultative approach to sales, understanding customers' operational requirements and recommending solutions that deliver genuine value. Building relationships at all levels, from operational teams to senior decision-makers, will be key to your success.

Key Responsibilities

• Proactively identify and secure new business opportunities across the South West.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with existing customers, identifying opportunities to upsell and grow accounts.
• Arrange and conduct customer meetings, presentations and equipment demonstrations.
• Prepare quotations, negotiate commercial terms and close sales.
• Research market trends, customer requirements and competitor activity to identify opportunities for growth.
• Manage and prioritise your territory effectively, maximising customer contact and sales opportunities.
• Maintain accurate records of sales activity and customer interactions using the CRM system.
• Review CRM data and pipeline activity to identify opportunities, monitor progress and support sales performance.

About You

You'll be a commercially driven sales professional who enjoys winning new business, building relationships and taking ownership of a sales territory.

To be considered, you will need:

• At least five years' sales experience within the materials handling or forklift industry.
• A proven track record in new business development and achieving sales growth.
• Strong account management skills, with the ability to develop existing customer relationships.
• Excellent communication, presentation and negotiation skills.
• The ability to understand customer requirements and deliver consultative, solution-led sales.
• Commercial awareness, including an understanding of market conditions and competitor activity.
• Strong organisational and territory management skills.
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office, email and CRM systems.
• A proactive, self-motivated approach with the drive and determination to succeed.

A stable employment history and a consistent track record of building successful customer relationships will be important.

What's on Offer?

• Competitive salary, dependent on experience.
• Company car.
• Laptop and mobile phone.
• 24 days' annual leave plus 8 bank holidays.
• Company pension scheme.
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression.
• The opportunity to take ownership of an established territory and make a real impact on business growth.

The business is committed to investing in its people and supporting their development, with opportunities to progress as the company continues to grow.

Employees can also enjoy a welcoming working culture, including a Christmas turkey as part of a long-standing company tradition. Office-based employees are welcome to bring well-behaved dogs into the workplace.

Interested?

If you have a strong background in forklift or materials handling sales and are looking for an opportunity to grow a territory, win new business and develop your career, we would love to hear from you.

Apply today to find out more about this opportunity.