Remote | UK Travel Required
Pet Industry Leadership Experience Essential
£80,000+ (DOE) plus bonus and fantastic benefits package
Some Head of Sales roles are about maintaining what already exists.
This isn't one of them.
Our client is one of the most established and influential businesses in the UK pet industry. They have scale, heritage, market presence and ambitious plans for the future.
Over the last 18 months, they have invested heavily in their operation, modernised key areas of the business, strengthened their leadership team and laid the foundations for future growth.
Now they are looking for a Head of Sales to help take things to the next level.
This is a newly created role and a genuine opportunity to shape the future direction of a significant pet industry business.
If you're the type of leader who enjoys building teams, developing people, creating structure and driving commercial growth, this could be the opportunity you've been waiting for.
The Opportunity
This is not a business standing still.
The sales function is evolving.
A centralised telesales operation is being built.
The field sales structure is developing.
New growth opportunities are emerging.
Future direct-to-consumer ambitions are on the horizon.
The foundations have been put in place.
Now the business needs an experienced pet industry sales leader who can bring everything together and help accelerate the next phase of growth.
Reporting into a senior leadership team that is fully committed to investing in the future, you'll have the opportunity to make a genuine impact from day one.
What You'll Be Responsible For
As Head of Sales, you'll provide leadership across multiple sales channels, with responsibility for:
- Leading and developing the National Sales Manager
- Supporting and improving field sales performance
- Driving sales process, accountability and consistency
- Helping build and scale a centralised telesales function
- Supporting national account growth and retention
- Developing clear KPIs, reporting structures and sales disciplines
- Coaching managers and helping future leaders grow
- Working closely with senior leadership on commercial strategy
- Supporting future development of online and direct-to-consumer channels
You won't be expected to manage every customer account or spend your time buried in spreadsheets.
Instead, you'll be the person helping great people become even better.
What Success Looks Like
Eighteen months from now, the successful candidate will have:
- Helped grow market share within the independent pet trade
- Embedded stronger sales disciplines and accountability
- Developed and supported the wider sales leadership team
- Helped establish a high-performing telesales operation
- Improved customer engagement and retention
- Created the foundations for future direct-to-consumer growth
- Become a trusted member of the senior leadership team
Who We're Looking For
You must have leadership experience within the pet industry.
We'd love to hear from people currently working as:
- Head of Sales
- Senior National Sales Manager
- Commercial Manager
- Sales Director
- Head of Commercial
- Senior Sales Leader
You'll bring:
- Strong pet industry knowledge and credibility
- Proven field sales leadership experience
- Experience coaching and developing managers
- Commercial awareness and strategic thinking
- A track record of improving sales performance
- Experience working with KPIs, CRM systems and sales processes
- The ability to influence, inspire and bring people with you
- A genuine passion for developing others
The Leadership Style That Will Thrive Here
This business needs someone who can build trust, earn respect and bring people on the journey.
Someone who is visible.
Someone who listens.
Someone who enjoys coaching.
Someone who can challenge when needed, but always with the goal of helping people succeed.
The pet industry is built on relationships, and this business values leaders who understand that.
Why This Role Could Be Different
Opportunities like this don't come along very often.
This is a chance to join a well-established business at a pivotal moment in its journey.
You'll benefit from:
- A newly created leadership role
- Genuine influence and autonomy
- Strong support from senior leadership
- Significant investment in future growth
- The opportunity to shape strategy, people and performance
- Exposure to future direct-to-consumer developments
- Long-term career progression within a much larger group
- The chance to leave a genuine legacy
It's an opportunity to help shape the future of a major player in the UK pet industry.
Package
- £80,000+ (depending on experience)
- Bonus
- Car allowance
- Private medical cover
- Additional company benefits
This search is being managed confidentially by The Animal People Recruitment Company.
If you're an experienced pet industry sales leader looking for your next challenge, we'd love to have a confidential conversation.
Apply today or contact us directly to find out more.
