Location: Midlands - Based on site
Our client is a leading manufacturer supplying companies across the globe. As part of their new investment plans, they are seeking to strengthen the Commercial team with a dynamic and commercially focused Sales Operations Manager.
The Sales Operations Manager supports the efficient operation of the sales function by providing commercial coordination, pipeline management, and internal sales leadership. The role enables customer-facing sales professionals to focus on business development while ensuring sales processes, reporting, customer service, and marketing activities are effectively managed.
The position has direct responsibility for the internal sales and customer service team, serves as the senior escalation point for customer issues, and oversees marketing activities.
Key Responsibilities
Sales Operations & Team Leadership
Manage and develop the internal sales and customer service team.
Set performance expectations for customer responsiveness, service quality, and order accuracy.
Implement process improvements to increase efficiency and reduce errors.
Support external sales staff through pipeline monitoring, opportunity reviews, and sales administration.
Pipeline, CRM & Reporting
Maintain an accurate sales pipeline and provide regular sales forecasts and performance reports.
Ensure consistent use of CRM systems and high-quality customer data.
Drive sales process discipline and reporting accuracy across the team.
Customer & Commercial Management
Act as the senior contact for escalated customer issues and ensure timely resolution.
Build and maintain strong customer relationships.
Support commercial decision-making by providing market, customer, and pipeline insights.
Planning & Cross-Functional Coordination
Work closely with operations and planning teams to communicate customer priorities and demand forecasts.
Support business planning processes through accurate sales information and forecasting.
Marketing
Coordinate marketing activities, campaigns, events, and lead-generation initiatives.
Manage external suppliers and resources where required.
Ensure marketing activity supports business development objectives.
Essential Skills & Experience
Experience in sales management, sales operations, or commercial leadership.
Proven ability to manage sales, customer service, or commercial teams.
Experience maintaining sales pipelines, forecasting, and reporting.
Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
Commercial awareness with an understanding of pricing, margins, and customer management.
Experience with CRM systems and Microsoft Office applications.
Strong organisational and problem-solving abilities.
Desirable Skills & Experience
Experience within a technical, manufacturing, industrial, or B2B environment.
Knowledge of sales and operations planning processes.
Experience with ERP systems.
Exposure to regulated industries or quality management environments.
Experience coordinating marketing activities through internal teams or external agencies.
Person Specification
Strong leadership and team development skills.
Customer-focused with sound commercial judgement.
Able to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders.
Professional, collaborative, and results-oriented.
Comfortable handling challenging customer situations.
Committed to quality, continuous improvement, and business success.
Must be based near site with the right to work in the UK.
Fabulous opportunity to join a respected and growing business with exciting ambitions, backed by the expertise, heritage, and global reputation of an internationally recognised manufacturing company.