Job Description

Sales Director
Manchester HQ / Hybrid
Reports to: COO
Salary 100,000 - 120,000 DOE + bonus and benefits package
Company Overview
ESL connects the demand and supply of electrical components. As the world shifts to a more electric future, ESL helps customers procure their needs in this space by thinking and operating differently.
The company joins supply chains together in a simple and easy-to-deliver way. We operate globally offering fast deliveries and making things easy both for our customers and our suppliers, developing long-term relationships with them.
ESL is headquartered in Manchester and operates with a strong international presence. It was founded by two female entrepreneurs 19 years ago (both are still in the business), and the company has 75 amazing people with brilliant skills.
Position Summary
We are seeking a dynamic and commercially astute Sales Director to lead ESL's next phase of strategic growth. This is a high-impact, global leadership role responsible for driving revenue performance, expanding market presence, and shaping our long-term commercial strategy.
As the head of our sales function, you will play a critical role in unlocking new business opportunities, strengthening key client relationships, and leading a high-performing team toward ambitious targets. You'll also be instrumental in designing and implementing scalable sales processes that support our global expansion.
Equally important, you will champion the development of a positive, high-performance sales culture -- one that fosters collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement. You will inspire and empower your team to grow both personally and professionally, creating an environment where people thrive and results follow.
This role sits at the heart of ESL's mission -- combining strategic vision with hands-on execution to accelerate growth, build lasting client value, and drive long-term commercial success on a global scale.
Key Responsibilities

• Lead & Inspire: Build, manage and mentor a world-class sales team to consistently exceed ambitious revenue targets.
• Sales Strategy Ownership: Define, build and continuously refine ESL's global sales strategy, ensuring alignment with business goals, market trends, and growth ambitions.
• Lead and support change management initiatives, leveraging significant experience to drive adoption of new systems, processes, and structures that enable scalable growth and improved commercial performance.
• Continuous improvement - Drive continuous improvement by questioning existing practices
• C-Suite Collaboration: Work closely with the executive leadership team to ensure alignment between commercial activities and broader company objectives.
• Culture & Values Champion: Embed ESL's values into the daily rhythm of the sales team; cultivate a growth-oriented, collaborative, and inclusive team culture.
• Strategic Growth: Develop and execute innovative sales strategies that drive market expansion and maximise profitability.
• Pipeline & Forecasting: Own the sales funnel, delivering accurate revenue forecasts and actionable insights to the board.
• Key Account Leadership: Establish, grow and manage relationships with senior decision-makers and high-value clients.
• Market Expansion: Analyse competitive landscapes, identify new opportunities and spearhead entry into untapped sectors.

What We're Looking For

• Proven Leadership: 5+ years in a senior sales leadership role, ideally as Sales Director, Head of Sales, or equivalent in an SME.
• Experience of a trading environment
• Track Record of Success: Demonstrated ability to consistently deliver and exceed 40m+ annual revenue targets.
• Strategic Mindset: Expertise in building scalable sales processes and developing high-performance teams.
• Significant experience in leading change management initiatives, with the ability to navigate complexity, influence stakeholders, and embed lasting transformation across teams and processes.
• Commercial Acumen: Strong negotiation skills, business development experience and a deep understanding of B2B sales environments.
• Adaptability: Comfortable working in a fast-paced, high-growth environment where speed, innovation and precision matter.
• Industry Experience (Preferred): Familiarity with the electrical components or industrial supply chain sector is a plus.

Why Join ESL?

• Clear Growth Path: Direct impact on group-level strategy, performance and international expansion.
• Innovation-Driven Culture: Work with a business who are driving automation, AI integration and digital transformation.
• Global Reach: Join a leadership team scaling operations and partnerships across international markets.
• Empowered Leadership: Shape the future of a business that values autonomy, accountability and excellence.
• People-First Values: Join a close-knit team with strong ethics, entrepreneurial energy and a collaborative mindset.

Benefits

• 25 days holidays + bank holidays
• Holiday Purchase Scheme
• Life Assurance x 4 of your salary
• Health Shield - Cash plan, Employee Assistance Program, My GP anytime.
• Metro Money
• Location close to Manchester City Centre
• Free parking - first come first serve basis
• Enhanced maternity / paternity pay
• Annual Events including Christmas & Summer Party / Team Lunches

Recruitment Agencies;
The Pilot Group operates a strict PSL and will not accept any unsolicited CVs sent to any member, employee, representative or business unit of the Pilot Group. Any unsolicited introduction will be treated as a CV 'sent in kind' and as such The Pilot Group rejects all liability to pay any such fees for an unsolicited introduction.

Skills Required