Sales Director

Bullboat is a boutique distributor focused on accelerating sales for innovative consumer products into 15 European retail markets. Our mission is to bring exciting and innovative products to retailers in Europe. We focus on 4 categories - pet, wellness, beauty, and kitchen. We partner with successful US and Asian based consumer tech start-ups, becoming their European salesforce, creating and delivering their sales and marketing strategy across Western Europe.

Since beginning in 2008, we have launched nearly 100 brands and supply more than 150 retailers in Europe. From CE, Pet, Beauty, Department stores and more. Some of them include: Selfridges, John Lewis, Argos, Currys, Power, Elkjop, Boulanger, Fnac, Capi, Galaxus, Interdiscount and many more.

We are looking for a passionate Sales Director to drive the strategic direction, growth, and profitability of the 3rd party brands and our private label business. The successful candidate will lead commercial operations, including sales, marketing, pricing, customer relationships, and business development. The Sales Director will report to the CEO to define and execute the company’s commercial strategy, ensuring alignment with overall business goals.

The main responsibility is to grow the sales for our partner brands across 8 countries in Western Europe.. The Sales Director will play a pivotal role in building supplier partnerships. We work with very successful, highly innovative and demanding brands so ensuring we meet targets is key.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership:

• Develop and implement the company's sales strategy in alignment with its business objectives.
• Lead the sales team to drive growth to achieve sales goals for our brands.
• Provide guidance on identifying new business opportunities and optimising existing revenue streams.

Sales & Business Development:

• Oversee the sales operations and drive a high-performance culture within the sales team.
• Work together with the sales team on key customer relationships, with a focus on strategic accounts and high-value opportunities.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, partners, and other stakeholders.

Pricing & Profitability:

• Develop and implement pricing strategies to optimize profitability across product lines.
• Oversee the negotiation of contracts and terms with customers and suppliers to ensure mutually beneficial arrangements.
• Conduct market and competitor analysis to stay ahead of trends and adjust strategies accordingly.

Team Management & Development:

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing sales team.
• Ensure the sales team is equipped with the necessary tools, training, and resources to succeed.
• Establish clear performance targets and KPIs, with a focus on achieving ambitious growth goals.

Financial & Performance Monitoring:

• Monitor and report on the financial performance of the commercial operations, ensuring targets are met.
• Implement cost-control measures to improve profitability while maintaining service levels.
• Provide regular updates to the CEO on performance metrics, challenges, and opportunities.

Qualifications and experience

• Education:
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
• Experience:
• Proven experience (10+ years) in senior commercial or sales leadership roles, within the distribution or retail industry. This is a must!
• Demonstrated success in driving revenue growth, managing P&L, and leading commercial strategy.
• Strong knowledge of distribution channels, supplier negotiations, and market dynamics.
• Skills & Competencies:
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong financial acumen with experience in managing budgets, forecasts, and pricing strategies.
• Ability to identify new market trends and commercial opportunities.
• High-level problem-solving and decision-making skills, with a strategic mindset.
• Proficiency in CRM, ERP, and other business management systems.

Personal Attributes:

• Strong business acumen with a deep understanding of distribution operations and commercial functions.
• A collaborative, team-oriented leader with a hands-on approach.
• Highly adaptable and resilient in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Results-driven with a focus on achieving targets and driving growth.

Compensation: Competitive salary, performance-based bonus, and equity bonus.