Technical Sales Manager
Bespoke Automation & Food Processing Machinery
UK & Ireland | Home-Based | Permanent
Are you a commercially astute Technical Sales Manager who excels at turning complex production challenges into high-value engineered realities?
Do you enjoy working autonomously, managing key accounts, and developing long-term customer relationships within machinery-led manufacturing environments?
SimWest is partnering with a UK engineering business specialising in the design and delivery of bespoke food processing machinery and automation systems.
Due to continued growth, the business is now looking to appoint an experienced Technical Sales Manager to cover the UK & Ireland.
The Opportunity:
This is a home-based role, offering a high level of autonomy and ownership. Reporting into the UK Director, you will manage your own territory, diary, and sales strategy while working closely with internal engineering and project teams.
The Technical Sales Manager will drive growth through a strategic mix of account management and new business development. Serving as the face of the company across the UK and Ireland, you will cultivate long-term partnerships while identifying and capturing new market opportunities.
Role Split
* ~ 70% Account Management - Develop and grow long-standing customer relationships, positioning yourself as a trusted technical partner rather than a transactional supplier
* ~ 30% New Business Development - Identify and convert new opportunities within food and FMCG manufacturing environments
Key Responsibilities:
* Build strong, trust-based relationships with food manufacturing customers
* Communicate confidently at a technical level with Engineering Managers, Factory Managers, and senior stakeholders
* Act as an effective “middle-man”, translating customer aspirations and operational pain points into actionable briefs for internal engineering teams.
* Identify customer pain points and propose value-added, bespoke technical solutions
* Manage the full sales lifecycle from enquiry through to order
* Travel regularly across the UK & Ireland, with occasional visits to head office
About You:
You are a commercially driven Technical Sales Manager with a strong technical aptitude. You do not need to be an engineer, but you must be comfortable discussing mechanical systems, automation workflows, and ROI with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Key Requirements:
* Proven experience in technical sales, account management, or business development within engineering, machinery, or automation
* Experience selling bespoke or engineered solutions, not off-the-shelf products
* Strong commercial awareness, ideally with capital equipment projects £100k+
* Ability to simplify complex technical concepts into clear, value-led proposals
* Experience within the food industry is a significant advantage, though we welcome candidates from other high-spec machinery backgrounds.
* A natural ability to lead a sales process from initial \"pain\" identification to final commissioning.
* A proven track record of building deep, long-lasting relationships based on integrity and expertise.
Package & Benefits:
* Attractive base salary (salary level dependent on experience)
* Commission scheme linked to equipment value
* Car allowance
* Established customer base with strong repeat business, complemented by new project opportunities
* Home-based role with high autonomy and ownership
* Long-term opportunity within a stable, respected engineering business
* Supportive, collaborative culture working closely with engineering and operations
Apply Today
SimWest Engineering Recruitment is managing this opportunity exclusively. If you are a Technical Sales Manager with the commercial drive and technical curiosity to represent a market-leading automation business, we’d like to hear from you.