Solent Group work with a diverse portfolio of Retailers and supply bespoke products within various categories, including Health & Beauty, Household Impulse Snacking and Reusable Bags. We are proud to be best-in-class when it comes to own-label product innovation. Our Categories are fast-paced with ever-evolving trends and a host of ground-breaking products coming to market on a regular basis - we add value to retailers by leading and owning each category
Here at Solent we want people to be extraordinary. We pride ourselves on creating and producing amazing products and brands for our Global Customers. You will be joining a company with offices globally across South Africa, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Vietnam, and the UK
Reporting To: Commercial Director
Location: Sheffield, Hybrid (with regular UK travel)
Salary: Competitive + Bonus + Car Allowance + Benefits
About the Role
We are looking for a results-driven B2B Sales Manager to lead and develop a high-performing sales team within the FMCG sector. This role is responsible for delivering ambitious monthly sales targets, driving incremental revenue growth, and developing long-term commercial relationships with wholesale, distribution and retail partners
The successful candidate will combine strong people leadership with commercial acumen, ensuring the sales team consistently identifies new business opportunities, maximises existing customer spend, and delivers profitable growth
Key Responsibilities
Sales Leadership:
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Lead, coach and motivate a team of B2B Sales Executives to achieve and exceed monthly sales targets
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Set individual and team KPIs aligned with business objectives
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Conduct regular one-to-one meetings, performance reviews and coaching sessions
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Create a high-performance culture focused on accountability, customer service and continuous improvement
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Recruit, onboard and develop new members of the sales team
Sales & Business Development:
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Drive incremental sales growth across existing and new customer accounts
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Identify new business opportunities within wholesale, retail, foodservice and distribution channels
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Build strong commercial relationships with key customers and decision makers
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Negotiate pricing, promotional activity and commercial agreements
Commercial Performance:
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Deliver monthly, quarterly and annual revenue and gross profit targets
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Monitor pipeline performance and sales forecasts
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Analyse sales data and identify opportunities to improve conversion and profitability
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Ensure robust CRM management and accurate sales reporting
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Work closely with Finance to ensure commercial compliance and margin protection
Customer Management:
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Maintain excellent customer relationships to maximise retention and repeat business
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Resolve customer issues quickly and professionally
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Identify opportunities for cross-selling and upselling across the product portfolio
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Ensure exceptional customer experience throughout the sales journey
Cross-Functional Collaboration:
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Work closely with Marketing to support promotional campaigns and product launches
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Collaborate with Supply Chain and Operations to ensure customer expectations are met
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Support Product Development by providing market and customer insight
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Share competitor intelligence and market trends with senior leadership
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
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Achievement of monthly sales targets
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Incremental revenue growth
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Gross margin performance
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New customer acquisition
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Existing customer growth
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Sales conversion rates
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Team productivity
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Customer retention
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CRM accuracy and compliance
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Employee engagement and development
Skills & Experience
Essential:
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Minimum 5 years' B2B sales experience within FMCG or a related fast-moving commercial environment
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At least 2 years' experience managing a sales team
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Proven track record of consistently exceeding sales targets
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Strong commercial negotiation skills
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Experience developing new business alongside managing existing accounts
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Excellent coaching and leadership capability
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Strong analytical skills with experience using CRM systems and sales reporting
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Highly organised with excellent planning and prioritisation skills
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Full UK driving licence
Desirable:
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Experience selling into retail, wholesale or foodservice sectors
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Knowledge of licensing or branded consumer products
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Experience using Salesforce, HubSpot or similar CRM platforms
Personal Attributes:
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Commercially driven with a strong focus on results
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Inspirational leader who develops high-performing teams
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Resilient and motivated by achieving ambitious targets
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Excellent communicator with strong influencing skills
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Proactive and solutions-focused
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Comfortable working in a fast-paced FMCG environment
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Customer-centric with a collaborative approach
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High levels of integrity and accountability
What Success Looks Like
Within your first 12 months you will have:
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Built a motivated, engaged and high-performing sales team
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Consistently delivered or exceeded monthly sales targets
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Increased incremental revenue across existing customers
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Successfully acquired new B2B accounts
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Improved sales forecasting accuracy and CRM discipline
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Enhanced customer retention and satisfaction
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Contributed significantly to the company's commercial growth strategy
What we offer
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Competitive salary with annual salary reviews
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25 days holiday per annum, increasing to 27 days after 3 years' service and 30 days after 5 years' service
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Extensive benefits programme including buying additional holiday, medical cash plan, access to mental health support and many other benefits
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Flexible hours and work from home available to all staff with an office presence ideally once a week
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Great learning and development and progression opportunities
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Yearly bonus structure (based on company targets)
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Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Leave
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Generous Company Sick Pay
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Pension Scheme Contribution
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Solent social events run by our inhouse Social Team
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Cycle to Work scheme
