UK/EU Sales Manager

Position: UK/EU Sales Manager

Location: Blackstar HQ, Northampton, UK.

The company:

Launched in 2007, Blackstar is globally recognised and respected as an innovator and leader in guitar amplification design. We are a company of musicians and music lovers who are truly passionate about what we do and understand the importance of great sound.

Blackstar is based in Northampton, with over 80 years' combined experience in guitar amplification design and production. Our team pioneers change in the industry and has a strong commitment to driving transformational innovation within all of our products. Blackstar, and Carry-on by Blackstar products are the best in the world for design, technology and performance – we create the ultimate tools for self-expression.

Blackstar is a unique environment; it is professional and process-orientated, yet at the same time very dynamic and a fun place to work. Our company values promote equality, diversity and inclusion. Our team are experts in their field, passionate about music and driven to be the most professional company in the industry. We have a growth mentality; the business is very dynamic and we are constantly striving to grow the business with a true entrepreneurial spirit.

If you approach your work with pride, want to be the best, and help to grow our global brand to its full potential, we would love to hear from you. 

The role:

We are recruiting an experienced and commercially minded UK/EU Sales Manager deliver Blackstar's ambitious sales goals.

This is an absolutely business-critical role and is not for the feint hearted.  Blackstar is a world-class company which operates at a very high pace and is constantly evolving its business and brand proposition. The successful candidate will need high energy, commitment and integrity and a true passion and belief in Blackstar's products and values.

For the right person – this will be the dream job.

The UK/EU Sales Manager will drive sales and achieve targets across the UK direct to dealer market and European distributor region, along with sales across European E-Commerce channels for both Blackstar and Carry-on by Blackstar products.

The key duties and responsibilities will be to:

Leadership & Teamwork

·        Responsible for the performance and development of the European market.

·        Lead & manage the UK sales team and work with the Director of Sales to develop UK and European business strategy and achieve sales targets.

·        Plan, co-ordinate and review the work of the Department to ensure the most effective use is made of resources.

·        Ensure departmental use of the CRM in line with company process.

·        Monitor the performance of staff and ensure the necessary direction and training are provided.

·        Schedule and lead departmental meetings as agreed.

Strategy & Results

·        Develop a business plan and sales strategy for the European and UK markets, that ensures sales and KPI targets are achieved.

·        Ensure timely delivery of Blackstar budget to European distributors, and secure their agreement. Track monthly distributor achievement vs. targets and report any unexpected deviations to DoS with suggested strategic actions to resolve.

·        As required, support in the development of non-MI (consumer) sales channels for Blackstar products with Director of Sales.

·        Provide weekly feedback to Senior Management regarding performance at the Commercial Meeting and via the weekly Sales Report.

·        Manage department travel planning and meetings; being mindful of cost and effective time management.

·        Manage and influence the customer relationships at a distributor and dealer level.

·        Work with store manager and owners to ensure sales are maximised through product placement and sales strategy.

·        Monitor market conditions and new products, communicate findings to Senior Management and R&D team.

·        Ensure New Products are loaded into the retail channel to achieve desired representation and commercial success at launch.

Relationship Management

·        Manage the relationships with all stakeholders across the European distribution network through monthly sales meetings, regular territorial visits, and regular general comms.

·        Benchmarked monthly contact at UK dealer level both physical and by other means

·        Own UK dealer performance, compliance and interface with the Company and ensure that our dealers maximise growth potential.

·        Activities (physical/digital) with dealers to ensure Blackstar has excellent visibility in the market place, in conjunction with marketing team.

·        Deliver value-adding initiatives in stores to ensure sustainable business growth.

·        The European Sales Manager is the 'voice' of Blackstar to the European market and the 'voice' of the European market to Blackstar.

·        Track European business results alongside Export Sales Manager, Chinese Sales Manager and Internal Sales Manager

E-commerce

·        Responsible for growth of Amazon and Reverb channel for UK and EU.

·        Manage the sales process of NPI for Carry-on by Blackstar and Blackstar products through direct channels.

·        Oversee the stocking process for UK and EU Amazon in conjunction with Supply Chain

·        Maintain profitability of Blackstar and Carry-on by Blackstar products in the omni-channel environment

·         

Accountability

·        Produce agreed sales reports.

·        Produce monthly contact plans and reports.

The ideally sought candidate will possess the following:

·        Good GCSE and/or Diploma/A Level results.

·        Sales Management

·        Stock and forecasting management

·        Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

·        Excellent numerical and analytical skills, including commercial calculations (Excel)

·        A structured approach to any task.

·        High level of attention to detail.

·        Highly organised, methodical and a diligent record keeper

·        Understanding of marketing function at brand and retail level

·        Knowledge of the UK MI dealer network

·        Proven track record of exceeding sales targets in a B2B function.

·        Independent and self-reliant, being able to work without close supervision.

·        Commerciality, including pricing and budget management.

·        Market and trend analysis - fact-based decision-making. Passionate about the Music Industry

·        Diplomatic, with excellent interpersonal skills, able to build and lead professional relationships with people at all levels.

·        Ability to manage working time effectively and prioritise assignments appropriately.

·        Enthusiastic, methodical, committed and dependable.

·        A proactive, driven, passionate go-getter.

·        A willingness to travel as needed across the EU territory.

·        Full driving-licence

The below skills would be beneficial, however not essential.

·        Qualified to degree level or above in Business/industry appropriate subject.

·        Sales Leadership

·        Inventory and purchasing management

·        Amazon VC management

·        Experience within the EU MI sales channel

·        Sales team leadership

·        E-Commerce management, specifically Amazon

·        Distributor management

·        Confident presenter both virtually and in-person

Package and info:

·        Salary + Commission + Bonus scheme

·        Workplace pension

·        25 days annual leave (+1 day annually after 2nd work anniversary, up to maximum 30 days)

Working within a KPI (Key Performance Indicator) structure.

Office hours are 8:00am to 5:00pm (1 hour lunch) Monday to Friday, and a willingness to work extra hours as and when required to achieve results.

As a business we appreciate that people have different needs (e.g. caring responsibilities). At Blackstar we always try to support our staff flexibly where practical and possible, working together to ensure the needs of the business are met.

Blackstar Amplification welcomes applications from all, irrespective of disability, gender, gender expression and identity, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, age, race, colour, ethnic origin, nationality (subject to UKBA permission), trade union membership and activity, political or religious beliefs, socio-economic background and any other distinction.

If you wish to apply, then please return a completed Blackstar application form, along with your CV and a brief video to introduce yourself in 60 seconds or less.