The Technical Sales Specialist (UK/EU) is responsible for driving commercial growth across the UK, Ireland, and mainland Europe through new business development and the expansion of existing customer relationships. This is a field-based, customer-facing role with a strong emphasis on consultative technical selling and regular in-person engagement.
Working under the Technical Manager, the role is responsible for developing a robust sales pipeline, delivering technically accurate and validated proposals, and achieving agreed revenue targets. Frequent travel and face-to-face customer visits are a core expectation of this position.
Location: UK-based, field-based role with extensive travel across the UK, Ireland, and mainland Europe
Working Hours: This is a full-time role based on 37.5 hours per week, worked Monday to Friday. Due to the field-based nature of the role and customer travel requirements, additional hours may be required from time to time to meet business needs. Working time will be managed in line with the UK Working Time Regulations, and flexibility is expected on both sides.
Key Responsibilities
Sales & Customer Development
- Identify and pursue new business opportunities across the assigned territory through proactive outreach and regular customer visits.
- Build, maintain, and strengthen relationships with existing customers to understand evolving needs and ensure long-term satisfaction.
- Deliver tailored sales presentations and product demonstrations using a consultative, solutions-focused approach.
- Maintain an active and healthy sales pipeline, meeting agreed targets and KPIs.
- Prepare and issue technically accurate quotations in line with the approved pricing model.
Pre-Sales & Technical Liaison
- Act as the primary field contact for technical enquiries, assessing customer requirements and collaborating with the Technical Manager to validate proposals.
- Coordinate with suppliers to ensure product information is current, accurate, and clearly communicated to customers.
- Provide complete and timely information for proposals involving custom applications, complex configurations, or non-standard commercial terms.
Territory Management & Activity Planning
- Develop and execute a structured visit plan covering both prospective and existing customer accounts.
- Prioritise in-person engagement as a core element of the sales process, ensuring consistent, high-impact customer interactions.
- Accurately document all customer visits, feedback, and actions within the CRM system.
Business Intelligence & Market Development
- Conduct ongoing market research to identify emerging opportunities, competitive activity, and potential product gaps.
- Attend trade shows, conferences, and industry events to represent the company, generate leads, and maintain market awareness.
- Share customer and market insights internally to support pricing, marketing, and product strategy.
Internal Collaboration
- Work closely with the Technical Manager to align on sales strategy, product positioning, and technical feasibility.
- Participate in internal sales meetings, including with the US sales team, providing updates on territory activity, pipeline status, and forecasted opportunities.
- Coordinate with the internal sales office to ensure smooth quote-to-order handover.
Skills & Abilities
- Sales Acumen: Proven ability to manage the full sales cycle and deliver new business growth in industrial and bioprocessing applications.
- Communication & Relationship Building: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage promptly and effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Customer-Focused Approach: Demonstrated consultative selling capability with a focus on understanding customer challenges and delivering tailored solutions.
- Technical Aptitude: Ability to understand and communicate complex technical concepts, particularly within scientific instrumentation and bioprocessing applications.
- Organisation & Planning: Highly organised, capable of managing field-based activity across a large geographic territory.
- Collaboration: Strong cross-functional working skills with technical and commercial teams.
- Initiative & Resilience: Self-motivated, target-driven, and comfortable working independently in a field-based role.
- Digital Literacy: Confident user of CRM systems, Microsoft Office, and remote collaboration tools.
Physical & Travel Requirements
- This is a field-based role requiring frequent travel across the UK, Ireland, and mainland Europe, including overnight stays as required.
- Regular in-person visits to customer sites, including laboratories, cleanrooms, and manufacturing facilities.
- Attendance at multi-day trade shows or conferences, which may involve standing for extended periods.
- Occasional handling or demonstration of technical equipment (typically under 10kg).
- Reasonable adjustments may be made to support individuals with disabilities.
Minimum Qualifications & Experience
Education
- Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Life Sciences, Engineering, Biotechnology, or a related scientific or technical discipline.
- Postgraduate qualifications or additional training in bioprocessing, instrumentation, or industrial sales are advantageous.
Experience
- Minimum of 3 years’ experience in technical sales, field sales, or a commercial role within a scientific or engineering industry.
- Experience with pH and dissolved oxygen (DO) sensors, including their application in bioprocessing, fermentation, and/or process control environments.
- Demonstrated success in territory management, account development, and achieving B2B revenue targets.
Additional Requirements
- Legal right to work in the UK.
- Full, clean UK driving licence.
- Valid passport and ability to travel internationally within Europe.
- Willingness to comply with customer or industry-specific site access requirements, including health and safety or background checks.
Equal Opportunities
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals, regardless of background.
Data Protection
Applicant data will be processed in accordance with our recruitment privacy notice and applicable UK data protection legislation.
