Job Description

Position:

Founding Strategic Sales and Purchasing Manager

Location:

Exeter

Reports to:

Managing Director

Overview

Green Park Distribution is an ambitious new distribution business specialising in high-margin construction materials, efficient supply chain management, and next-day delivery. We are looking for a Founding Strategic Sales and Purchasing Manager to play a defining role in shaping the commercial direction of the business.This is a rare opportunity to join at the founding stage, where you will lead both supplier and customer strategies, build the product range, establish supply partnerships, and create the sales model that underpins long-term growth.

Key Responsibilities

Sales Strategy & Market Development

Define and deliver the sales strategy to establish Green Park Distribution as a leading player in the construction materials market. Identify and secure key customer accounts, with a focus on trade, contractors, and developers. Collaborate with marketing to launch the brand, drive customer acquisition, and promote the next-day delivery model. Analyse customer demand and competitor activity to influence pricing and product selection.

Purchasing & Supplier Onboarding

Source, evaluate, and onboard suppliers across priority product categories. Negotiate supplier agreements that secure competitive pricing, reliable supply, and margin strength. Design and implement a structured supplier onboarding process, ensuring accurate product data and seamless integration into systems. Build long-term supplier partnerships to support scalability and innovation.

Strategic & Commercial Leadership

Shape the initial product portfolio and category mix in line with demand and growth opportunities. Lead forecasting and purchasing strategy to balance working capital with next-day delivery capacity. Work closely with finance to monitor margins, turnover, and stock performance. Provide strategic insight to senior management, with responsibility for setting commercial standards and processes.

Skills & Experience

Extensive experience in sales, purchasing, or commercial management within distribution, construction materials, or manufacturing. Demonstrated success in building supplier networks and securing advantageous commercial terms. Strong market knowledge with the ability to identify growth opportunities and high-demand product categories. Skilled in stock forecasting, pricing strategy, and commercial analysis. Proficient in ERP/CRM systems, with the ability to shape and embed effective commercial processes.

Personal Attributes

Entrepreneurial and motivated by the opportunity to build something from the ground up. Commercially astute, with the confidence to make high-impact decisions. Highly organised, resilient, and adaptable in a start-up environment. Strong communicator and influencer, with the ability to build trust at both supplier and customer level.

Package

Competitive salary with performance-related bonus. Pension scheme and company benefits. Unique opportunity to join at the founding stage and shape the growth of a new national distribution brand.
Job Type: Full-time

Pay: 45,000.00-65,000.00 per year

Ability to commute/relocate:

Exeter EX2 7LX: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Experience:

Industry: 5 years (required)
Work Location: In person

Reference ID: SSPM-2025