Tristram Parker Recruitment
Area Sales Manager
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Area Sales Manager
London & South East | Independent Builders' Merchants & Distributors
Territory
- London and the South East
Package
- Circa £55,000 basic salary + bonus + company car
Channel
- Independent builders' merchants and distributors
Role status
- Newly created position | Immediate requirement
Growth ambition
- Develop annual area turnover from c.£1.0m toward c.£2.5m within two years
The opportunity
A specialist building materials distributor is appointing an Area Sales Manager to lead its developing merchant and distribution business across London and the South East. This is a newly created, field-based role with genuine scope to shape the territory, strengthen regional relationships and build a long-term sales platform.
The business has been actively developing this route to market for approximately nine months and the area is already generating around £1.0m. The successful candidate will be trusted to consolidate that base and build annual turnover toward approximately £2.5m within two years.
The role
- Own and develop sales across London and the South East, with a clear focus on independent builders' merchants and specialist distributors.
- Build productive, long-term relationships with merchant owners, directors, buyers, branch managers and sales teams.
- Create and manage a structured territory plan covering target accounts, pipeline priorities, call cycles and growth opportunities.
- Increase product awareness, listings, stock commitment and share of wallet across existing and prospective accounts.
- Deliver commercially sound proposals, negotiate terms and convert opportunities while protecting margin.
- Work closely with internal commercial, operations and management colleagues to maintain strong service and account support.
- Provide accurate sales forecasts, market intelligence and competitor feedback to the management team.
- Represent the company professionally at customer meetings, branch visits, trade events and other relevant market activities.
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Product and market scope
The role covers a broad range of construction and merchant-led product categories, including:
- Sheet plastics and PVC products
- Corrugated sheeting
- Bituminous roofing felts
- Drywall and associated building products
- Ready-mix and related construction products
Relevant experience may come from adjacent sectors such as roof windows, timber, plasterboard, tile adhesives, tools, tapes, insulation, roofing or other product categories sold through independent builders' merchants and distributors.
About you
- A proven field-sales professional with a strong understanding of the independent builders' merchant and distribution channel.
- Credible and comfortable dealing with owners, senior buyers, branch managers and merchant sales teams.
- Able to demonstrate successful territory development, account growth and new-business generation.
- Commercially astute, self-motivated and disciplined in planning, follow-up and pipeline management.
- Comfortable representing a varied product portfolio and identifying cross-selling opportunities.
- Established contacts across London and the South East would be highly advantageous.
- A seasoned, relationship-led salesperson who values stability and wants to build a long-term career in hands-on sales.
- Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel throughout the territory.
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What success looks like
First six months
- Build the territory plan, strengthen key relationships and establish a qualified growth pipeline.
Year one
- Increase account penetration, win new merchant partners and demonstrate sustainable sales momentum.
Within two years
- Grow annual area turnover toward c.£2.5m while maintaining strong customer retention and commercial discipline.
Package and process
- Basic salary: Circa £55,000
- Additional reward: Performance-related bonus and company car
- Location: Field based, covering London and the South East
- Start: As soon as reasonably possible
Interview process
- A focused, fast-moving process with two members of the management team.
The company is looking to reward sustained performance and offers an excellent opportunity for an experienced salesperson to take ownership of a developing territory and build a stable, long-term career.
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