Technical Sales Manager

My client – Technical Sales Manager - Industrial Solutions

Territory: UK, Ireland & Nordics | Home-based / Field Sales | Silicone elastomers & speciality silicone materials

My client is part of a globally active specialty chemicals group (70+ years), supplying high-performance materials worldwide. My client is the centre of Excellence for silicone elastomers, manufacturing specialist silicone materials and thermal interface products for demanding markets including automotive, aerospace, electronics and marine.

This is a technical, specification-led sales role focused on winning, growing and managing business in a specialist industrial market.

You’ll own your territory end-to-end—identifying opportunities, converting technical enquiries into profitable solutions, and developing long-term customer relationships across the UK (with some Scandinavian/Nordic accounts possible).

Key responsibilities

• Win new business and grow existing accounts across target manufacturing markets (automotive/EV, electronics, aerospace, industrial manufacturing, healthcare).
• Lead consultative, specification-led sales: understand the application, recommend the right silicone solution, and manage sampling, trials and approvals.
• Work credibly with design engineers, production/quality teams and procurement to progress opportunities to supply and repeat business.
• Take ownership of pricing, margin protection and commercial terms within Group guidelines.
• Manage and develop distribution partners alongside direct accounts, maintaining clear ownership across channels.
• Maintain accurate CRM activity, pipeline and forecasting; contribute to territory planning and market intelligence.
• Represent my client at customer meetings, partner reviews and trade shows (approx. 2 UK events and potentially 1 in Europe per year).
• Collaborate with UK and European teams on competitor insight and new product introductions.

The Person

Essential:

• Proven technical B2B sales track record in silicone elastomers or closely related speciality silicone/materials sold to manufacturers.
• Confidence discussing applications and processes with engineers (material selection, cure chemistry, application methods).
• Demonstrated territory/account growth with ownership of pricing and margins.
• Self-starter: organised, disciplined, and comfortable working autonomously from home across a wide territory.
• Full UK driving licence and flexibility for UK travel plus occasional Europe.

Desirable:

• Experience selling into automotive/EV, electronics or aerospace supply chains.
• Distributor/channel management experience.
• Chemistry/engineering/science background (or equivalent demonstrable technical sales credibility).

What success looks like:

You’ll be able to walk into a manufacturer, understand a technical problem, recommend the right silicone solution, run trials through approval, negotiate commercially sound deals, and then grow the account profitably while protecting margin.

Package & practical details:

• Salary: £55,000 – £75,000 (dependent on experience)
• Bonus: up to 15%, paid annually (collective & individual objectives)
• Hours: 37.5 per week
• Holidays: 24 days (+ statutory holidays)
• Company car: BYD SEAL U ESTATE 1.5 DM-i (3-year lease)
• Benefits: pension, life insurance, private medical insurance, EAP
• Travel: mainly UK; approx. 10% international (estimate); regular attendance at Bridgwater for technical/commercial meetings
• DBS: At 2nd interview stage/ Offer
• Territory: UK with potential Scandinavian accounts; final territory to be confirmed

Who we’re especially interested in:

• Candidates with direct experience in automotive/EV, electronics or aerospace.
• Those who have worked with both distributors and direct customers.
• People with a chemistry/engineering or scientific background (or demonstrable technical sales experience).

How to apply & selection process:

Selection includes an initial conversation, first interview (Managing Director / Country Sales Manager / HR including DBS and checks), and final interview with EMEA/Global leadership.