Sales Director

Sales Director – Potential Progression to Managing Director

Location: Sheffield Area, with international travel as required

Salary: Competitive, with generous bonus and equity participation

Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent

About the Role:

We’re recruiting for a commercially astute and ambitious Sales Director to join an established specialist metals business supplying high-performance metals and precision alloys to demanding customers across the UK and international markets.

This is a senior commercial opportunity for someone looking to take the next step towards Managing Director , with responsibility for driving sales growth, developing the existing commercial team and supporting the wider growth strategy of the business.

The business serves a diverse range of end markets, including aerospace, defence, electronics, medical, energy and advanced manufacturing , with a significant proportion of sales generated through export markets.

The successful candidate will have a hands-on, entrepreneurial approach and the commercial drive to identify new opportunities, strengthen existing customer relationships and develop new markets. The role will also provide exposure to wider business leadership, including P&L responsibility, operational oversight and potential acquisition activity .

Key Responsibilities:

Sales & Business Development

• Personally drive new business development, including visiting prospective customers and identifying new commercial opportunities
• Develop and execute ambitious sales strategies to drive growth across multiple markets
• Strengthen and develop key customer relationships across sectors including aerospace, defence, electronics, medical and energy
• Identify opportunities to increase revenue, profitability and market share
• Lead commercial activity across both UK and international markets
• Support the development of new customers, markets and product opportunities
• Take a hands-on approach to sales leadership and business development

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, develop and motivate the existing sales team
• Manage a team of approximately 15 employees across the wider business
• Set clear commercial objectives and ensure the team is focused on delivering agreed targets
• Provide leadership, direction and accountability across the organisation
• Develop a strong performance culture focused on growth, customer service and commercial results

Commercial & Operational Management

• Take ownership of the P&L and drive profitable business growth
• Monitor commercial performance and identify opportunities to improve margins and overall profitability
• Provide oversight of day-to-day operations and ensure appropriate resources are in place across the business
• Ensure processes are followed effectively from lead generation and sales through to order fulfilment and dispatch
• Work closely with operational teams to ensure customer requirements are consistently delivered
• Support the effective management of supply chain, stock inventory and quality processes

Strategic Growth & Acquisitions

• Contribute to the development and execution of the wider business growth strategy
• Identify potential value-added acquisition opportunities
• Support the assessment and due diligence process for potential acquisitions
• Identify opportunities to develop the business through organic growth and strategic expansion
• Work closely with senior stakeholders to help shape the future direction of the business
• Take increasing responsibility for the wider business with potential progression towards Managing Director

Candidate Profile:

• Proven senior sales or commercial leadership experience with a strong track record of delivering sales and profit growth
• Experience within specialist metals, steel, nickel alloys or a related technical/industrial sector , or demonstrable experience selling to corporate customers and OEMs within demanding industrial markets
• Experience working with customers across sectors such as aerospace, defence, electronics, semiconductor, medical, energy or advanced manufacturing
• Strong commercial awareness with excellent numerical and analytical skills
• Proven experience leading, developing and motivating a sales or commercial team
• Experience with international markets and export sales
• Strong understanding of supply chains, stock management and inventory
• Experience working within quality-driven environments, ideally including AS9120 and/or ISO 9001
• Hands-on and entrepreneurial approach, with the ability to operate effectively within a growing SME environment
• Highly driven, competitive and ambitious, with a clear focus on achieving commercial targets
• Excellent communicator and relationship builder, comfortable working with customers, colleagues and senior stakeholders
• Comfortable taking ownership and accountability across a broad range of commercial and operational responsibilities
• Willing to take a hands-on, sleeves-rolled-up approach and get involved in the detail where required

Desirable:

• Experience within specialist metals, steel, nickel alloys or a related distribution environment
• Existing relationships within aerospace, defence, electronics, semiconductor, medical or energy markets
• Experience managing an international customer base and significant export sales
• Experience with P&L ownership and wider operational management
• Previous involvement in acquisition identification, due diligence or integration
• Experience within a private equity-backed or acquisitive business
• Previous responsibility for supply chain, inventory and quality management
• Experience operating at Sales Director, Commercial Director, General Manager or similar senior level

What Our Client Offers:

• A senior leadership opportunity within an established and respected specialist metals business
• Competitive base salary and comprehensive benefits package
• Company car
• Pension and health schemes
• Generous performance-related bonus scheme
• Significant capital gain potential through an attractive equity participation scheme
• Opportunity to take increasing responsibility for the wider business with potential progression to Managing Director
• Opportunity to shape the future growth strategy of the business
• Exposure to UK and international markets, organic growth and potential acquisition activity

How to Apply:

If you're an ambitious and commercially driven Sales Director looking for an opportunity to take the next step towards Managing Director within a specialist industrial business, we'd love to hear from you.

About Us:

We are a recruitment agency specialising in commercial, operational, HR and business support appointments across the UK. We partner with growing organisations to connect talented professionals with opportunities where they can make a genuine impact and develop their careers.