Area Sales Manager

Company Description

SOMFY, your reliable partner for automated access and closure systems for homes and commercial buildings, is committed to developing new ways of living for everyone.

Our group—a French family-owned company in continuous development since its founding—has been the market leader in home automation for 50 years and a pioneer in smart home technology. We are driven daily by innovation and the assurance of the excellent quality of our solutions.

We operate in 58 countries, with 8 production sites and 17 R&D centers. We are deeply committed to the well-being of our 7,000 employees and strive for their long-term employability through internal mobility and the development of their professional skills. We promote diversity and inclusion, building on our strong corporate culture.

Area Sales Manager: Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands and the East of England (office in Stockport)

BFT is a leading company in the field of access automation, designing and manufacturing automation systems for residential and commercial use. We strive to bring innovation and efficiency to our customers, while maintaining a focus on sustainability and social responsibility. With our headquarters in Italy and a strong presence in over 120 countries, we are looking for an Area Sales Manager to join our team in the UK.

As an Area Sales Manager for the above region, you will manage and expand the B2B customer base, fostering strong, profitable relationships throughout your region. This role is crucial in achieving our strategic sales objectives, not only by retaining revenue from existing customers but also by expanding our customer base through a hands-on, consultative, value add approach.

As a pivotal commercial advisor, you will be committed to mutual growth with your customers by leveraging your industry knowledge and technical expertise. This is a multifaceted role where your industry acumen, technical knowledge and highly developed relationship skills will give you a real competitive edge that will enhance your personal success as well as the strength of our brand. The Area Sales Manager will report directly to the UK Sales Manager.

• Manage (sales & relationship management) B2B customers (installers and distributors);
• Act as a commercial advisor and provide guidance for mutual growth;
• Maintain relationships with existing customers by providing timely and comprehensive information about products and/or services, as well as preparing proposals on new opportunities;
• Support customers with technical issues both on-site and at their premises through advice and problem-solving with a view to training, as well as meeting customer satisfaction;
• Help achieve the sales budget of the professional channel through strong account management and helping installing customers to win business opportunities (taking into account both a push & pull strategy);
• Acquire new customers within existing and/or new market segments, with a proactive policy towards prospects;
• Provide input (market share, price evolution etc) for the budget process of the company;
• Analyze the volume, turnover and product portfolio mix by customer and share this information internally with the departments involved;
• Prepare and achieve regional plans after analyzing the market and mapping accounts;
• Collect, interpret and share market information: customers, competitors, and potential new channels/customers;
• Monitor developments on the market and, if necessary, provide a timely response, for example, regarding product developments of competitors;
• Analyze this market information and propose expansion options (new business opportunities);
• Advise on market developments and trends as input for the company's strategy.

• A proven sales track record of at least 5 years within the UK construction sector, ideally selling to the installation community and being directly involved in commercial specification work;
• Proactive and driven: Highly self-motivated, with proven initiative and a consistent track record of surpassing sales targets;
• Good understanding of technical products to assess the technical feasibility of the customer's needs (calculation, list of measures, etc.);
• Experience with working in an international organization in a technically oriented industry;
• Advanced communication skills: Exceptional ability to communicate effectively at all organizational levels, discussing industry-specific technology, trends, and solutions comprehensively with both customers and prospects;
• Influential negotiator: Capable of driving business outcomes through effective persuasion, negotiation, and consensus-building skills;
• Robust relationship management: Extensive experience of fostering outstanding relationships across diverse customer roles, from field engineers to executive levels, supported by professional sales training;
• Skills and IT proficiency: Past attendance of professional sales training programs and technically savvy with advanced IT literacy, coupled with a strong commitment to continuous learning and customer support;
• Certifications: full and clean driving license.

• Competitive compensation plus year-end bonus based on performance;
• A performance-driven rewards structure, including a year-end bonus and the tools to succeed (EV company car, laptop, iPad and mobile phone);
• A high-impact role where you will shape and expand a sales region, driving business growth in a competitive B2B market;
• The challenge of building strong, profitable relationships, not only by maintaining an existing customer base but also by identifying and converting new business opportunities;
• Autonomy and ownership, allowing you to take strategic decisions and directly influence sales success;
• Exposure to an international environment, working with a global leader in automation solutions that values innovation, sustainability, and commercial excellence;
• An autonomous role in which you get ownership and will fulfill your responsibilities from a commercial driven mentality;
• BFT is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects the importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce.

The protection of our candidates' personal data is a commitment of Somfy Group. We therefore ask any candidate to submit their application to us exclusively via our secure system, and not by email or postal.