OAL is looking for an experienced and commercially driven Senior Sales Engineer to join our growing team in a field-based role covering the UK.
This is a senior commercial position responsible for driving sales growth through solution-led selling, strategic account development, and long-term customer partnerships within the food manufacturing sector.
Working closely with the Commercial Director and wider commercial team, you will take ownership of a national sales territory, managing the full sales lifecycle from business development and customer engagement through to negotiation and contract close.
We are looking for a confident and credible field sales professional with experience selling technical or capital equipment solutions within a complex B2B environment. This role requires someone who is commercially astute, highly autonomous, and comfortable operating at both strategic and operational levels.
Automation is transforming food manufacturing, and OAL is helping businesses improve efficiency, reduce waste, and modernise production processes through innovative technology solutions.
What you will be doing
Managing the full sales lifecycle
Take ownership of opportunities from initial prospecting and lead generation through to proposal, negotiation, and contract close.
Developing strategic customer relationships
Build and maintain strong relationships with customers across multiple stakeholder levels, becoming a trusted commercial partner.
Selling technical and engineered solutions
Understand customer challenges and translate requirements into commercially viable automation and engineered solutions.
Commercial negotiations and agreements
Prepare quotations, proposals, and commercial documentation while negotiating pricing, contracts, and long-term agreements, including exclusivity arrangements where appropriate.
Territory and pipeline management
Manage a national sales territory while maintaining accurate CRM records, sales forecasts, and pipeline activity.
Cross-functional collaboration
Work closely with internal commercial and technical teams to ensure solutions are aligned with customer requirements and operational delivery.
Market and business development
Identify emerging market trends, growth opportunities, and potential new business areas within the food manufacturing sector.
Customer visits and industry representation
Represent OAL professionally through regular customer meetings, site visits, exhibitions, and industry events across the UK.
What we are looking for
Proven field sales experience
Strong track record within a field-based B2B sales role, with experience managing customer relationships and delivering against sales targets.
Technical sales expertise
Experience selling technical solutions, engineered products, automation systems, or capital equipment within a complex sales environment.
Commercial and negotiation skills
Strong commercial awareness with experience negotiating pricing, contracts, and long-term customer agreements.
Relationship management
Able to build credibility and maintain strong working relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
Independent and commercially driven
Comfortable managing a national territory, prioritising workload, and operating with a high level of autonomy.
Technical or engineering understanding
Technical or engineering-based background with the ability to understand and communicate complex solutions.
Industry experience
Experience within automation, manufacturing, engineered solutions, or related technical sectors would be highly beneficial.
Personal qualities
- Self-motivated and results driven
- Commercially focused and professional
- Organised and able to manage competing priorities
- Confident, credible, and resilient
- Team-oriented with a proactive mindset
Full UK driving licence
Required for customer visits, meetings, and industry events.
Why join OAL?
- Senior field sales opportunity within a growing automation business
- Exposure to innovative robotics and engineered solutions
- High level of autonomy and ownership within your territory
- Opportunity to influence business growth and customer strategy
- Supportive and collaborative working environment
- Work alongside experienced commercial and technical professionals
- Ongoing training and professional development
- Fast-paced SME environment with genuine progression opportunities
Salary and benefits
- Competitive base salary plus commission
- Pension scheme
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
- Ongoing training and professional development
About OAL
OAL helps food manufacturers automate. Based in Peterborough, we are an innovative family business providing automation and system integration services to the food industry.
We are recognised as a market leader in digital transformation, label and date code verification, and robotic powder weighing solutions.
As a growing SME, we offer genuine opportunities within a fast-paced and supportive environment. If you are a high-performing field sales professional with a passion for robotics, automation, and engineered solutions, we would love to hear from you.
