The Opportunity

We are looking for an experienced Sales Development Manager with a strong background in the timber industry to drive sales growth, develop customer relationships and identify new business opportunities across an allocated territory.

This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially driven sales professional who understands the timber trade, has an established network of contacts and can bring existing customer relationships to the business.

You will play a key role in growing revenue, developing existing accounts and winning new business, helping to strengthen the company's position in the market.

The successful candidate will ideally have an established customer base and a strong network of industry contacts – someone who already has a little black book of customers and knows how to turn relationships into profitable business.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and grow sales within your allocated territory, identifying opportunities to increase turnover and profitability.
• Build strong, long-term relationships with existing customers, ensuring they receive excellent service and support.
• Re-engage dormant accounts and convert them into active, regular customers.
• Generate new business through your existing network, industry contacts, referrals, online leads and proactive business development.
• Promote the full product range, identifying opportunities to cross-sell and increase customer spend.
• Understand customer requirements and provide appropriate product solutions to meet their needs.
• Develop and maintain a strong pipeline of prospective customers and new accounts.
• Achieve sales targets relating to turnover, profit and new customer acquisition.
• Monitor market activity and identify opportunities to expand the company's customer base.
• Work collaboratively with the wider sales team to support the continued growth of the business.

Essential Experience and Skills

Previous experience within the timber industry is essential. We are specifically looking for candidates who understand timber products and have experience selling into the timber trade or related sectors.

Product knowledge should ideally include:

• Timber joists
• Decking
• Treated timber
• Railway sleepers
• Timber battens
• Fence panels
• Sheet materials, including plywood, OSB, chipboard, marine plywood and MDF

You will also need:

• A proven track record in sales, business development or account management within the timber industry.
• An established network of customers and industry contacts.
• The confidence and ability to generate new business and develop profitable customer relationships.
• Strong commercial awareness and an understanding of sales margins and profitability.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and relationship-building skills.
• A proactive, self-motivated approach, with the drive to achieve and exceed targets.
• The ability to manage your territory effectively and identify opportunities for sustainable growth.

Candidates with an existing portfolio of customers and established relationships within the timber trade will be particularly attractive.

Salary and Benefits

• Basic salary: £50,000–£60,000, depending on experience.
• £10,000 group performance bonus: Payable subject to the group achieving its performance targets.
• Company car.
• Company mobile phone and laptop.
• Individual healthcare, with the option to add family members at an additional cost.
• 23 days' annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Contributory pension scheme and life assurance.
• Employee discounts across retail, supermarkets, restaurants, gyms, cinemas, attractions and travel.
• Colleague discounts across group brands.
• Training, development and opportunities to progress.

Location and Working Arrangements

The head office is based in Detling, Maidstone. The role is office-based, with each Sales Development Manager responsible for an allocated geographical territory covering one of the following areas:

• Maidstone
• Hoddesdon
• High Wycombe
• Poole
• Ascot

The precise territory will depend on the position.

About You

You are a confident, commercially minded sales professional who understands the timber industry and knows how to build business through strong customer relationships.

You enjoy winning new accounts, developing existing customers and identifying opportunities to grow revenue. You are proactive, driven and motivated by results, with the industry knowledge and contacts to make an immediate impact.

Most importantly, you understand the timber trade, know the products and already have relationships with customers who could benefit from working with the business.

Apply Now

If you have a strong background in timber sales, an established customer network and the ambition to grow a successful territory, we would like to hear from you.

Apply today to discuss this opportunity in confidence.