Sales Manager

Sales Manager - Structural SteelLocation: Huddersfield, West YorkshireSalary: Negotiable, depending on experienceJob Type: Full-time, PermanentHours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday-Friday, with flexi-timeSector: Structural Steel / ConstructionThe OpportunitySteel doesn't sell itself. The right relationships do.In structural steel, winning work is about much more than submitting a competitive price.It's understanding what the client needs, knowing where the opportunities are, building relationships with the right people and having the technical knowledge to show why your business is the right choice.This is an opportunity for an experienced Sales Manager to take a leading role within an established structural steelwork business, helping drive business development, strengthen existing client relationships and identify new opportunities across the UK construction market.Reporting into the Commercial Director, you'll play a key role in converting opportunities into secured projects while leading and developing the sales function.This is a hands-on management role for someone who enjoys being in front of clients, understands structural steel and has the commercial confidence to turn relationships into revenue.The RoleAs Sales Manager, you'll be responsible for driving sales activity and developing long-term relationships with clients, contractors, consultants and other key stakeholders within the construction and structural steel sectors.You'll be expected to identify new opportunities, develop existing accounts and work closely with the estimating and operational teams to ensure opportunities are converted into commercially successful projects.This isn't a role focused purely on cold calling or hitting a sales target.You'll need to understand structural steel, construction methodologies, project requirements and the commercial drivers behind a successful project.You'll be the person building the relationship at the front end and ensuring the business is positioned to win the work.What You'll Be DoingLeading and developing the Sales functionDeveloping and implementing a structured sales and business development strategyIdentifying new business opportunities across the structural steel and construction sectorsDeveloping strong, long-term relationships with principal contractors, developers, consultants, engineers and architectsManaging and developing existing key client accountsIdentifying upcoming projects and getting the business involved at an early stageMonitoring market activity, tenders and future project pipelinesManaging the sales pipeline and ensuring opportunities are progressed effectivelyWorking closely with the estimating team to convert enquiries into successful tendersSupporting the preparation and presentation of tenders and proposalsAttending client meetings, pre-tender interviews and post-tender presentationsPresenting the company's capabilities, experience and technical offering to prospective clientsNegotiating commercially with clients and key stakeholdersIdentifying opportunities for repeat business and increased market shareTracking sales performance and reporting pipeline activity to the Leadership TeamDeveloping sales forecasts and providing accurate information on future workloadBuilding relationships with new and existing supply-chain partnersWorking with internal departments to ensure client expectations are understood and achievableMonitoring team performance and providing coaching and developmentIdentifying market trends and areas for future growthSupporting the wider commercial strategy of the businessWhat We're Looking ForWe're looking for an experienced Sales Manager, Business Development Manager or Senior Sales professional with a strong understanding of structural steel, construction or a closely related sector.You'll ideally have:Proven experience in a sales or business development role within structural steel or constructionStrong knowledge of the UK construction marketExisting relationships with principal contractors, developers, consultants or other relevant stakeholdersA good understanding of structural steelwork and construction processesAbility to understand technical drawings and specificationsStrong commercial awarenessExperience developing and managing key client accountsProven ability to identify and convert new business opportunitiesExperience managing a sales pipeline from initial opportunity through to secured projectStrong negotiation and presentation skillsExcellent written and verbal communicationPrevious team leadership or line management experienceA proactive and commercially driven approachAbility to work independently and take ownership of opportunitiesStrong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple opportunities simultaneouslyHigh levels of self-motivation and commitment to achieving resultsCompetent Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel, Word and PowerPointExperience with Tekla or other structural steel software would be advantageous, as would experience working alongside estimating, design and project delivery teams.Why This Role?This is an opportunity to take ownership of the sales and business development function within an established structural steel business with a strong reputation and ambitious growth plans.You'll have the opportunity to influence which projects the business targets, build relationships with major clients and help shape the future commercial direction of the company.You'll be joining an employee-owned business with more than 40 years of successful trading, an experienced workforce and a strong track record of delivering structural steelwork on high-profile projects.For the right person, this is a role where relationships, commercial judgement and results will genuinely make a difference.If you're an experienced Structural Steel Sales Manager, Business Development Manager or senior commercial professional looking for an opportunity to take ownership of a growing sales function, this could be the next step in your career.