Area Sales Manager - UK South / South East

Job Purpose 

To take responsibility for South/South East area of the UK, selling the full Bridgestone product tyre ranges directly to the Bridgestone dealer network, end users including operational sites, local distributors, Key Accounts and Vehicle Distributors. To maximise the number of units sold, by selling the full range of products with the required mix, maintaining price levels and ensuring the correct use of the products in line with the Bridgestone Sales Strategy. 

To prospect the area and always look to develop new customers, whilst building the brand image and loyalty with existing dealers and users. 

Responsibilities: 

• Fully inspect all tyres running on predefined customers mines, quarries & mobile cranes. 

• Update our Tyre Management System (TMS-Web-toolbox) program with the information gathered and present your findings to the customer. 

• Be fully aware of all Health & safety polices on each site & ensure compliance. 

• To gain a full knowledge of existing and potential business within your area. To target weaknesses in coverage by opening new and dormant accounts.  To ensure that existing accounts are growing their business with our products. 

• To actively sell our products fully understanding and selling on the features, advantages and benefits of the product.  Selling Bridgestone on long term value and Firestone on its competitive initial cost.   

• To use promotions, marketing aids and brand support material to increase sales activity.  Suggesting promotions and incentives to Marketing, justifying them with the increased business that will be obtained as a result. Gaining information on competitors and feed that back to marketing. 

•  To target each customer with expected levels of business.  To ensure that rebates and incentives are set correctly in line with that target.  To monitor the customer’s performance against target.  To ensure the customers have up to date price lists and product information.   

• To target fleets and end-users in the local area and try and gain new business.  To gain information on the market and feed that back to head office.  To use trial fitments as a way of selling the brands. 

• To actively monitor, control and take responsibility for a customer’s credit position.  To liaise with Credit Control and to warn them about possible bad debts. 

• To complete all related administration efficiently and to work to a pre agreed call cycle.  To complete call record cards and weekly planners as requested.  To produce market reports.  To undertake presentations on your customers and your area to senior management.  To undertake vehicle checks and use the results to prove the competitiveness of our tyres.  To use and contribute to the database containing end user information, to assist in selling our tyres.  To ensure that 70% of your sales time is spent with end users. 

• To undertake presentations and seminars at Awareness / Open days. To take part in exhibitions and shows. 

• To attend all relevant Sales meetings and contribute to the effectiveness of your division.  To be aware of any information that may have an impact on sales and communicate this to management.  To develop and maintain good working relationships with all Bridgestone employees. 

• To upskill and train as required to understand and action future Bridgestone activities. 

• To fully support Field Engineering in the processing of adjustment claims and other technical matters and to deal personally with technical issues in the field wherever possible.  

Please note - This position will require occasional weekend working.

Education, Master, other certification required: 

• Education to A minimum of A level or equivalent 

• Full UK driving license 

Experience: 

• Minimum of three years direct sales experience, together with the ambition and drive to succeed. 

Technical Skills: 

• Proven ability to sell by building relationships with dealers and end users. 

• Excellent IT and administrative skills, with the ability to prioritise and organise a heavy workload. 

• Excellent interpersonal skills, encompassing strong negotiation, persuasion and communication skills 

Excellent presentation skills. 

Languages Skills: 

• Verbal and written English required  

Soft/Behavioural Skills: 

• Ideally interested in the Commercial industry sector 

• Team player, flexible approach to work 

• Personal charisma, together with the ability to build and develop strong relationships with customers. 

What we offer  

At Bridgestone, what really matter is to foster co-creation opportunities and empowering you to be creative and curious to make mobility safer, more efficient, and more sustainable for future generations. Whatever role you fill, when you represent Bridgestone, you are a valued teammate, and part of our larger mission to “Serve Society with Superior Quality”, for that, we offer you more than just a competitive payment; we will provide you: 

• A supportive and engaging onboarding experience to ensure a smooth transition into our team.  

• The opportunity to develop and grow, through training and regular mentorship. 

• Corporate Social Responsibility activities. 

• A truly global, dynamic and challenging work environment. 

• Agility and work/life effectiveness and your long-term well-being. 

• A diverse and inclusive team. 

Disclaimer 

We are committed to create an even more inclusive culture that advances equity, embraces individuality, and helps our increasingly diverse teammates, customers, and communities thrive, by providing equal opportunities in employment. This means that all job applicants and members of staff will receive equal treatment and that we will not discriminate on grounds of gender, marital status, race, ethnicity, colour, nationality, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, religion or age.