Head of Sales
While every well organised company has a set strategy for growth and development through increased sales, there needs to be a sales team tasked with identifying openings, initiating plans and monitoring success. The head of sales is at the forefront of that team, and is a vital cog in the success of its operation.
In some organisations, the head of sales will occupy a place on the board alongside directors, while they may alternatively report to a sales director. Either way, they will head up the team and oversee the strategic planning and implementation of sales strategies in line with the board’s demands, and they will be expected to run the department with a degree of autonomy.
Part of the head of sales job description might also include liaising with the rest of the company, especially production and supply chain, to ensure that any sales agreements they make with customers can be delivered. They will also be responsible for negotiating deals with important clients, although that task might also be delegated to subordinates within an agreed framework for smaller clients.
Head of Sales skills required
A good head of sales will be completely on top of the processes, capabilities, products and services of the company. That’s partly because they might often be the only company representative in critical meetings, but also because they will be a conduit between the board, the production arm and the team delivering sales targets.
Head of sales jobs therefore always require someone who is a fast learner, is analytical with KPIs and forecasts, and is a superb communicator to clients, prospects and colleagues at all levels.
Head of Sales Jobs in Derry
Derry is often called Londonderry after being granted a royal charter by James I (and is called Derry-Londonderry on its UK City of Culture 2013 website). The county, city and district variously share the name, but they all refer to the same place. Derry was the last city in Europe to be walled, in the early 17th century, and most if not all of the wall remains today. It was an important seaport, and played a huge part in World War II owing to its position as the westernmost port in the UK, indeed Allied Europe, as Iceland was neutral.
In peacetime, the city had a reputation as a shirt maker, with several factories springing up to make men’s shirts for export and domestic use. As with the Northern mill towns of England, however, this industry was all but gone by the 1980s, with most of this kind of work moving to Asia.
An important employer in the city has been Du Pont, who made Neoprene there for years, and more recently switched production to Kevlar and Lycra. There is also a burgeoning hi-tech manufacturing sector in the city. Seagate Technology, one of the world’s top hard disk drive manufacturers, makes more than half of its read/write heads in the Derry factory. The city is also home to Northern Ireland’s largest private company, Desmonds, plus a healthy smattering of multinationals.
With a population of around 100,000, a thriving shopping centre and a good deal of industry popping up in this regenerating city, Derry would appear to be a prime location to look for Head of Sales positions.
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Find head of sales jobs at Cast UK
Are you looking for your next head of sales role and want to help push a business to the next league? Or are you running a business and you need someone to hit the ground running as a new head of sales? Whichever you are, Cast UK can help with your recruitment.
If you’re a potential candidate, register with us so we can contact you when a relevant position becomes available.
If you’re looking for a sales head yourself, call one of our consultants on 0333 121 3345 – we’ve got an extensive list of excellent management and executive level sales professionals who are ready to talk.
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