Project Sales Manager – London / South UK

Founded in 1997 by John Fearon and James Bassant, Astro Lighting is a leading British designer and producer of contemporary lighting supplied to retail, e-commerce, and project specification markets. The company has grown substantially since its inception and now exports to over 70 countries with subsidiaries in Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

Having consistently delivered double-digit year-on-year growth, we are now executing our ambitious strategic plans to exponentially accelerate our market position. To support this and strengthen our presence in the UK A&D community, we are looking to engage a Project Sales Manager (PSM) to join the UK Project Sales Team.

This challenging role will provide the opportunity to make a real impact on the business and enjoy the subsequent benefits associated with working for a highly successful company.

Having the right person in the role is critical and will appeal to a dynamic and versatile sales professional with extensive experience in the interior specification arena. A strong work ethic and the ability to work on their own initiative whilst remaining a team player is vital. Experience in selling to interior designers and architects is essential, although not necessarily in lighting. The ability to operate within Astro's Core Values is expected without exception.

Role overview

The role of the PSM is to identify, specify, track, and secure project sales opportunities within the UK hospitality, residential & care sectors. In order to maximise the market opportunities, the PSM will need to develop strong relationships with key strategic stakeholders (interior designers, architects, lighting designers) at all levels, as well as grow and manage a portfolio of key projects full cycle (concept to completion).

Successful communication and interaction with Astro's internal stakeholders will also play a key part of the role ensuring that everybody understands the customer needs. They will also be responsible for the identification, analysis, and communication of key market trends for use within product development and commercial strategy.

If you can tick a number of the below requirements, have relevant experience/qualifications and feel like you can add something to the team, then we would love to hear from you.

Responsibilities

• Delivering agreed sales targets while developing and strengthening relationships with both existing and potential key customers/groups in the hospitality, residential, and care markets.
• Managing and progressing projects from conception to completion ensuring high levels of customer satisfaction throughout.
• Developing and continually growing the project pipeline in order to meet current and future sales targets in line with wider sales and business strategies.
• Ensuring CRM project pipeline information is up to date and accurate, with detailed feedback on project stages, stakeholders, spec-to-order conversions, and losses.
• Developing intelligence for market trends and competitor activity.
• Attending key networking events and exhibitions with a view to developing existing and new customer relationships including subsequent follow-up and analysis of return on investment.
• Co-ordinating the preparation of quotations for projects, taking into consideration business margin requirements.
• Ensuring high levels of communication and co-ordination within the business to ensure smooth running of projects across the UK and wider geographic territories where appropriate.
• Co-ordinating with the HQ-based sales admin team and other internal stakeholders to maintain information levels on project timings and product requirements/deliveries.
• Managing customer issues ensuring high levels of internal and external communication throughout.
• Visiting project sites as and when required to ensure smooth running of sales processes.

Why does our Sales team love working at Astro?

"Astro is a great place to work for many reasons, but the main reason, is its people! In every department you interact with there are colleagues with knowledge, passion & above all, integrity. People work hard to achieve impressive results day after day." Project Sales Manager

About you

You will need...

• Strong communication, organisational, and people skills.
• Friendly, positive, confident, and considerate nature.
• Confidence in engaging with both internal and external stakeholders at all levels.

Experience and skills...

• 5+ years' experience working in a sales development role within the interior specification market.
• You should have a strong understanding of the dynamics of the marketplace and the requirements to build strong relationships with key players.

What we offer

• Excellent Salary
• Electric or Hybrid Company car / Car Allowance
• Discretionary Annual Bonus (performance related)
• Pension
• 25 days holiday (rising to 26 days after 4 years and 27 days after 5 years)
• Hours 38.75 per week with 45 minutes lunch
• Enhanced Maternity Pay (after 2 years)
• Enhanced Paternity Pay (after 2 years)
• Study Support
• Mentoring Programme
• A range of wellbeing initiatives including 24/7 access to our Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Staff Discount on Astro products
• Sabbatical Leave (after 5 years)
• Volunteering and fundraising opportunities, supporting local charities and schools.
• EdenRed membership with access to travel, retail, health and well-being services
• Free fresh fruit weekly (in office)
• Superb modern offices with free on-site parking
• Yoga classes and Running Club