What Will I Be Doing?

As an Export Sales Manager, you will lead and grow the company's international B2B seed and plant sales across key export markets. You'll be responsible for driving profitable sales, developing new business opportunities, and ensuring the successful leadership of the export division. This role involves managing existing country channels, expanding into new markets, shaping export strategies, and ensuring the highest standards across all sales and marketing activity. It's a hands-on commercial leadership role where you'll work closely with internal teams, external agents, and international customers to strengthen the company's global market position.

What Will My Responsibilities Be?

• Manage and develop existing export markets including Ireland, France, and Germany.

• Identify, develop, and convert new sales channels, products, and customers.

• Focus on major new customers, building strategic account plans and identifying opportunities for profitable growth.

• Explore and evaluate new export markets to expand the company's global reach.

• Oversee and drive seed and plant sales overseas, ensuring strong YoY profitable growth.

• Ensure all customer-facing materials-including websites, brochures, and leaflets-are up to date, brand-aligned, and within budget.

• Prepare, monitor, and review export sales budgets, including forecasting and margin analysis.

• Develop and deliver retail marketing strategies and promotional activities, ensuring effective communication with the wider B2B team.

• Support and guide external agents to maximise sales, brand positioning, product listings, and market presence.

• Analyse sales data to identify market opportunities, threats, and the optimal product mix to maximise profitability.

• Uphold company standards in merchandising and sales presentation.

• Provide line management to French and German Business Managers.

• Work collaboratively with country agents to maximise sales, profitability, and customer impact.

• Identify training and development needs within the team and support continuous improvement.

• Ensure adherence to company policies, health & safety procedures, and sustainability practices.

What Do I Need?

To excel in this role, you should possess the following skills and experience:

• Previous experience within the horticultural sector or a closely related industry.

• Proven experience managing non-UK retail or B2B accounts.

• Strong strategic account planning skills, able to build and execute tailored plans for export customers.

• Excellent operational discipline, ensuring accurate documentation and compliant, timely deliveries.

• Strong commercial acumen with experience analysing sales performance, KPIs, and profitability.

• Ability to proactively identify and develop new market opportunities with energy and enthusiasm.

• A customer-focused mindset, championing client needs and delivering exceptional service.

• Strong negotiation skills built on transparency, fairness, and trust.

• Ability to uphold international trade regulations and internal compliance standards.

• Collaborative working style, partnering effectively across sales, marketing, logistics, and finance.

• Willingness and ability to travel overseas.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

• Additional European languages would be advantageous.

About the Client

Our client is a respected horticultural business with a strong global presence and a reputation for quality, innovation, and customer service. Supplying both consumer and trade markets worldwide, they offer an extensive range of seeds, plants, and horticultural products. With a commitment to excellence and a focus on sustainable growth, they continue to expand their international footprint across Europe and beyond.

What's Next?

For an informal chat, please call me, Rae, on 01780 480530 or email rae@morepeople.co.uk, or send me a message on LinkedIn.

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