Job Opportunity: Area Sales Manager (North England & North Wales)
Includes a competitive salary, turnover based commission, a company car and other workplace benefits.
Location:
Head Office based in Bicester, with regular travel across the North of England and North of Wales
Reports to:
Managing Director
About Bentley Designs
At Bentley Designs, we are a proud, family-owned business with a legacy spanning four decades. As one of the UK and Ireland's leading furniture suppliers, we are known for combining timeless craftsmanship with design-led innovation, producing stylish, high-quality ranges for the modern home.
We have built trusted relationships with quality national and independent retailers throughout the UK. Our success is rooted in excellent customer service, long-term partnerships and a commitment to continuous improvement.
The Role
As the Area Sales Manager for the North of England and North Wales, you will manage and grow relationships with independent retailers and contract furnishers across a wide and varied territory. This region covers the North West, Yorkshire and the Humber, the North East, the Midlands, and also includes accounts in North Wales.
The role is field-based, requiring regular travel to client showrooms, with support and coordination from our head office in Bicester. You will protect and grow existing accounts, identify new opportunities, and act as a key point of contact for your customers. The role also involves helping clients understand and use our website, which is the primary platform for placing orders, accessing stock information and downloading product assets.
Success in this role will be measured by your ability to drive revenue, strengthen customer relationships, and manage your area efficiently and professionally.
Key Responsibilities
Account Management and Development
* Build and maintain strong relationships with independent retailers, national accounts and contract furnishers
* Visit all accounts on a regular cycle, including both mainland and island-based clients
* Open new accounts where appropriate and close dormant ones, in line with company strategy
* Identify and develop new opportunities within the private rental and commercial furnishing sectors
* Maintain up-to-date records of shop floor displays and product placements
* Provide regular feedback to the Managing Director on account activity, competitor movements and market trends
* Encourage full use of the Bentley Designs website for order placement and checking stock availability
Product Expertise
* Gain strong knowledge of all Bentley Designs product ranges and be able to demonstrate product assembly (e.g. wardrobes, tables)
* Promote new product introductions and secure new floor displays, passing accurate delivery requirements to customer services
* Organise and deliver in-store training to ensure customer teams are knowledgeable on the product
* Highlight and promote active promotions, clearance items and discontinued lines
* Encourage full use of the Bentley Designs website for accessing product specifications and downloadable assets
Customer Service
* Support the customer service team in resolving post-sale issues and minimising product returns
* Monitor return levels by customer and seek alternative solutions such as sell-through or discounts where appropriate
* Capture necessary evidence for quality claims including batch numbers and photographs
* Complete and authorise allowance claims as appropriate and escalate technical service requests where needed
* Review and discuss order backlogs and scheduled deliveries during customer visits
Reporting and Communication
* Provide weekly reports to head office covering customer activity, commercial performance and territory updates
* Keep the Managing Director informed of any issues impacting customer relationships or trading conditions
* Attend monthly sales meetings at head office, reporting on regional performance and sharing insights with fellow sales managers
Marketing and Brand Representation
* Provide clients with access to imagery and other marketing support materials via the Bentley Designs website
* Represent Bentley Designs professionally at trade exhibitions and client visits
* Promote the use of Bentley Designs' Bicester showroom for product previews and training
What We're Looking For
* Proven experience in field sales or account management
* Furniture industry experience is advantageous but not essential
* Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills
* Confident using digital tools including ERP systems, Microsoft Office and website platforms
* Highly organised, self-motivated and able to manage a large geographic territory effectively
* Comfortable with frequent travel, including occasional overnight stays
Why Join Us?
This is a rare opportunity to take on a well-established sales territory within a respected and growing business. You will work with a trusted brand, a loyal customer base, and a supportive internal team. Our commission scheme rewards success, offering you a platform to grow your earnings as you build meaningful relationships and increase sales. With real autonomy and strong backing from head office, this is a role where you can take ownership, develop your expertise and shape your future in a dynamic industry.