Area Business Manager

About us

We're a truly international company, fourth largest in our industry and operating across 120 markets. An inclusive, innovative global FMCG business supported by over 27,500 employees. As we embrace a new era of growth, we are transforming. Our ways of working and culture are driven by a challenger mindset, constantly questioning the status quo. Our agility and collaborative spirit, alongside award winning development programmes, enable innovation and success while creating exciting and rewarding career choices.

As we move forward, our consumers will be at the centre of what we do, evolving to needs and expectations and committing to a more meaningful contribution to harm reduction by building a successful NGP business. Integral to our long-term success is our sustainability strategy, behaving responsibly and supporting our ambitions, all underpinned by high governance.

As a business we are striving to become more diverse and have a strong focus on diversity & inclusion throughout. We’re fully committed to creating and maintaining an environment that celebrates and respects difference. After all, it’s our differences that make us stronger.

The Role

Do you want to work for a UK Market Leader as an Area Sales Manager (Field) Do you want to join one of only a handful of European business who are Top Employer for a fourth successive year in 2021?

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our dedicated salesforce within the UK Sales Business of Imperial Brands. You will be part of one of the world's leading tobacco and next generation product (NGP) companies with a global footprint spanning more than 160 countries around the globe, with brands such as L&B, JPS, Player’s, Rizla and GV.

As a manager in our North region, you will report directly into the Head of Field Sales – North and be leading a team of 9 reps taking full responsibility for the growth of our business across Merseyside. The role will entail a mixture of days in the field as well as working from home. An average week would be 4 days in the field with 1 day at home. However we encourage our managers to work flexibly and manage their schedules to best suit their own personal needs as well as those of their team’s and the business.

At Imperial Brands, you will receive a:

• Competitive Salary
• 20% Annual bonus opportunity
• Company car
• Company phone, iPad and Laptop
• 29 days annual leave (excluding bank holidays), with an option to purchase additional holiday days
• Generous company pension scheme
• Health care cash plan 

Key accountabilities

Drive Performance:

• Drive, motivate and develop the team to deliver high performance & achieve individual and team KPIs – create an amazing team
• Support the team to develop their depth of commercial understanding of all channel retailer’s operating model, including pricing and profitability dynamics
• Develop and execute area plans in line with strategy

Commercial Development:

• To ensure the execution of the cycle plan for the team in line with the Retail Strategy as defined and cascaded by the Head of Field Sales.
• To have a deep understanding of company strategy and to ensure that all team members understand and are able to deliver our commercial objectives in the context of the company strategy, i.e. the ‘why’
• Utilise internal customer management systems as required to record and report on all sales call activities, and to enable effective performance management
• Develop a strong working knowledge of our retailers, market and products – including competitors

Team Coaching and Development:

• Coach the team to develop their depth of commercial understanding of the retailer’s operating model, including pricing and profitability dynamics
• Conduct field visits, performance reviews, and manage under performance and absence in line with ITUK policy – and develop new improved tools
• Identify and bench mark training needs / skills gaps against the ‘what and how’ matrix within the sales team – including ROI
• Create a development and coaching plan with each direct report
• Organise and execute inspirational events to maximise team effectiveness in achievement of business objectives
• Assess, interview and recruit new RDRs and Tactical RDRs

Team Administration

• To communicate relevant information to enable RDR’s to perform effectively
• Monitor and communicate budget use, expenses, holidays – in line with the Head of Field Sales
• Ensure effective management of all resource and process within the team – work as part of a team to ensure both people and financial resources are used appropriately and efficiently

Skills & Experience

Ideally candidates should possess relevant experience in a similar role or be able to demonstrate an aptitude for the role. In addition, candidates should have:

• Sales experience (Field Sales management desirable)
• Depth of experience in stretching capabilities of individual and team through coaching and performance management
• Leadership skills and experience
• Ability to motivate a team
• Build commercial plans to drive sales
• Passion for delivering results
• High level of communication

Next Steps

Interested applicants should apply and attach their current CV.