Assistant Manager - #2161582

Assistant City Manager Team Leader

Reports to: City Manager Team Leader – North

Direct reports: City Managers, South of England

Territory: South of England: (Birmingham and below)

Location: Field-based across the South of England, with regular travel to Head Office in Birmingham

THE ROLE

The business is splitting its national field sales leadership into two territories, and this role is being created to lead the South. It mirrors the leadership structure already in place for the North, with the same standards, expectations, and level of ownership over both people and performance. The territory covers Birmingham southwards, including the Midlands, London, the South East, the South Coast, and the South West.

You'll report to the City Manager Team Leader for the North. You'll own the South team's day-to-day performance and decision-making while working to consistent national standards, collaborating regularly to ensure both territories operate as one unified function.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Team Management and Coaching

Conduct daily or weekly meetings with City Managers across the South to review performance metrics, set goals, and provide feedback.

Motivate, coach, and develop team members to improve capability, overcome challenges, and achieve sales targets.

Conduct regular one-to-one meetings, performance reviews, probation reviews, and appraisals.

Support sales representatives and City Managers through coaching and guidance in the field.

Supervise City Managers to ensure the South team remains aligned with company strategy, escalating decisions where national input is required.

Field Visits and Customer Engagement

Spend time in the field with sales representatives across the South to understand market conditions, customer needs, and team performance.

Schedule and oversee depot days, sampling activities, customer activations, and cash-and-carry activations across the territory.

Performance Monitoring and Reporting

Monitor territory performance and key business metrics.

Analyse data to identify trends, opportunities, and areas for improvement.

Manage incentives, commissions, and other performance-related rewards.

Provide regular reports on team performance and territory progress.

Training and Development

Identify development needs and deliver regular training to improve product knowledge, sales techniques, and customer engagement.

Keep training current by monitoring industry trends, product developments, and competitor activity.

Oversee recruitment, onboarding, and induction for new team members.

Administrative Responsibilities

Approve holidays and incentives, and coordinate logistics for field activities.

Maintain accurate CRM records and sales systems.

Submit monthly payroll information for the South team.

Collaboration and Communication

Work closely with the Northern leadership team to maintain consistent standards, targets, and ways of working across both territories.

Collaborate with marketing, operations, product, and other internal departments to ensure a joined-up customer experience.

Liaise with Head Office to remain aligned with business objectives and represent the needs of the South team.

Brief the sales team on company updates, new product launches, and promotional activity.

Keep HR informed of absences, holidays, time off in lieu, and personal leave, ensuring appropriate documentation is completed where required.

Problem Solving and Issue Resolution

Resolve team issues and conflicts as they arise.

Support City Managers in overcoming customer objections and operational challenges.

Travel and Territory Managemen

Travel extensively across the South of England, including Birmingham, London, the South East, the South Coast, and the South West, to support the team and manage the territory.

Plan and allocate resources to ensure effective territory coverage.

Recruitment

Conduct first-stage interviews to support the recruitment of City Managers.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

• Proven experience leading and coaching a field sales team, with a hands-on approach to improving performance.
• Demonstrated success in achieving sales targets through coaching, performance management, and accountability.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret performance data and turn insights into action.
• Experience within FMCG, wholesale, retail, or another fast-paced consumer sector. Experience with regulated consumer products is advantageous.
• A full, clean UK driving licence and willingness to travel extensively across the South of England, with regular visits to Head Office.
• A confident communicator who can lead teams, resolve conflict, and build strong relationships with customers and internal stakeholders.
• Comfortable working within a national leadership structure while taking full ownership of regional performance.