An Executive Leadership Opportunity at a British Design Leader
Franklite Ltd is a celebrated name in the UK lighting industry, renowned for over 50 years of quality manufacturing and elegant, innovative design. We are seeking a high-calibre Commercial Manager to join our senior leadership team.
This is a pivotal executive role with a dual focus: defining the company's overarching commercial strategy while providing inspirational, hands-on leadership to our UK and European-wide team of external Business Development Managers (BDMs). You will be the driving force behind our sales engine and a key architect of our continued growth.
About the Role
Reporting to the Directors, the Commercial Manager will hold ultimate responsibility for the company's commercial success. You will direct all sales and business development activities across our key markets—including specification, wholesale, and retail—by effectively leading a skilled team of remote sales professionals. Based from our headquarters and factory in Milton Keynes.
Key Responsibilities:
- Sales Team Leadership: Provide inspirational leadership to a field-based team of external Business Development Managers. Set clear sales objectives, manage performance through regular reviews and field accompaniments, and provide ongoing coaching to maximise individual and team potential.
- Commercial Strategy: Develop and execute a robust commercial strategy to achieve ambitious revenue targets, enhance market penetration, and optimise profitability.
- Performance Management: Foster a collaborative and high-performing remote team culture. Implement and manage sales KPIs, pipeline reporting, and CRM best practices to ensure a clear view of performance against targets.
- Pricing & Contract Negotiation: Devise and manage strategic pricing structures and lead high-value contract negotiations with key accounts, national distributors, and major project partners.
- Market Analysis & Growth: Conduct in-depth analysis of markets, competitors, and trends to identify new revenue streams and strategic growth opportunities.
- Financial Ownership: Focusing on profitable growth and accurate sales forecasting in collaboration with the finance and operations departments.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work in close partnership with Marketing, Design, and Operations to ensure a cohesive approach to market, aligning sales strategy with product development and marketing campaigns.
The Ideal Candidate
We are looking for a commercially astute and motivational leader. Your background will demonstrate a clear ability to craft winning strategies while simultaneously coaching a field-based sales team to deliver exceptional results.
Essential Profile:
- Proven Commercial Leadership: A significant track record in a senior commercial role such as Commercial Manager, Head of Sales, or Sales Director within a B2B product-led business.
- Expert People Manager: Demonstrable success in managing, coaching, and developing a field-based or remote sales team (e.g., Business Development Managers, Area Sales Managers) is essential.
- Industry Background: Experience gained within the lighting, interiors, KBB, building materials, or a related manufacturing/distribution sector is highly desirable.
- Strategic & Analytical: A strategic thinker with the ability to use sales data and market insights to inform decisions, set direction, and drive continuous improvement.
- Financial Acumen: Strong financial literacy with proven experience managing departmental budgets, P&L responsibility, and complex pricing models.
- Inspirational Communicator: An accomplished negotiator and communicator with the gravitas to influence at all levels, from a BDM in the field to board-level stakeholders.
What We Offer
- A highly competitive executive salary and benefits package.
- A significant, achievable performance-related bonus.
- A company car
- Private healthcare, pension and income protection schemes.
- A key position on the senior leadership team with genuine autonomy and influence.
- The opportunity to lead and shape the commercial future of a respected, design-led British manufacturer.
- A dynamic and supportive head office environment in Milton Keynes, with the flexibility for hybrid working.
If you are a strategic commercial leader with a passion for developing people and driving business growth, we invite you to apply.
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