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Head of Sales | Sturminster Newton, Dorset | Full Time | £50,000 – £60,000 per annum (DOE)

Our client designs and manufactures cutting-edge R&D equipment used by global leaders of the scientific community, operating across 50+ countries. Their work helps bring pharmaceutical, chemical, food and cosmetic innovations to life.

They are seeking a commercially astute and strategically focused Head of Sales to lead their global sales function. This executive role is responsible for delivering sustainable revenue growth, enhancing customer relationships, developing new global partnerships, and ensuring alignment with operational, financial, and compliance requirements. The successful candidate will have experience within a capital equipment or life sciences machinery environment, combining strong leadership, commercial insight, and a continuous improvement mindset.

Are you the right person for the job?

• Must be able to work in the UK
• A full UK driving license
• Proven track record in a senior commercial leadership role within a capital equipment or manufacturing sector, ideally related to life sciences machinery
• Strong understanding of international distribution models, contract sales, and solution-based selling
• Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and scale high-performing sales teams
• Commercially and financially astute, with a deep understanding of pricing strategy, margin analysis, and budget ownership
• Experienced in working within a regulated and quality-led environment, including knowledge of ISO9001 (others desirable) and legislative frameworks

Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills

• Strategic mindset with operational awareness and the ability to work cross-functionally
• Comfortable representing the company at the board level and externally across professional forums

What will your role look like?

Sales Strategy & Business Development

• Lead and execute the company's global sales strategy to drive revenue growth across existing and emerging markets
• Develop and manage a sustainable and dynamic sales pipeline, improving conversion rates and customer acquisition in line with company objectives and KPI's
• Establish clear and challenging but achievable sales targets in line with business goals and capacity
• Create and manage rewarding sales incentive structures that align individual performance with company profitability
• Ensure all sales activities comply with company pricing strategies, approval processes, and governance

Global Partner & Customer Management

• Source, onboard, and manage global distribution partners, ensuring high performance and alignment with company standards
• Build long-term strategic relationships with key customers, distributors, and partners
• Regularly evaluate customer satisfaction metrics (CSAT, NPS) and implement improvements based on feedback
• Present and represent the company as an ambassador at trade shows, online forums, and industry events at both national and international levels

Commercial Compliance & Risk

• Ensure sales activities comply with regulatory and legislative requirements, including ISO9001 standards and audit preparation
• Support the compliance team in implementing and maintaining quality and legislative frameworks
• Conduct and review risk analysis of trading regions, factoring in commercial, political, and operational considerations
• Lead contract review processes to ensure accuracy, compliance, and commercial viability

Financial & Performance Management

• Own the sales department budget, working closely with Finance to ensure accurate forecasting and margin control
• Monitor and report sales performance vs. targets, providing insights and recommendations to the Board
• Contribute to profit and loss (P&L) management, ensuring the commercial function supports overall business health
• Ensure the pricing strategy is upheld across all channels and territories

Internal Collaboration & Leadership

• Work in partnership with the Heads of Engineering, Operations, Finance and Marketing Departments to ensure cohesive planning and execution
• Contribute to cross-functional decision-making regarding product design, capacity, and customer support
• Train, coach, and develop the sales team to deliver high performance and a consistent customer experience
• Support the Board and Managing Director with commercial insights and strategic input into wider business planning

Culture, Quality & Continuous Improvement

• Implement and champion a Quality Management System (QMS) within the sales function
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement, challenging the team to innovate and exceed expectations
• Engage in regular competitor and market benchmarking to ensure relevance and competitive advantage
• Develop effective internal systems to maintain consistency of customer and company outcomes
• Delivers strong, principled and ethically driven leadership of both team and customers

Logistics

This is a full-time contract. You must be comfortable commuting to the Dorset HQ three days per week—own transport is essential, as is the availability and right to travel on behalf of the business domestically and internationally regularly.

What can you expect in return?

• Hybrid working – Remote Mondays and Fridays
• Quarterly and Annual Bonus, strong OTE
• Free on-site parking
• Collaborative, growth-focused environment
• Direct impact on projects with global reach
• Travel opportunities
• Career development and training support
• Enhanced maternity leave
• Company events
• Company pension scheme

What's next? It's easy! Click “APPLY” now! We can't wait to hear from you!

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