Head of Sales / Senior Sales Manager - Yankee Candle & More

Job ID: 8678 

Alternate Locations: Remote; United Kingdom-England-Birmingham; United Kingdom-England-Bristol; United Kingdom-England-Manchester 

Head of Sales / Senior Sales Manager – Yankee Candle & More

Location: home office, UK (Manchester area preferred)

Reports to: Commercial Director UK&I

Contract type: Permanent

Your Role & Team in a Nutshell

As Head of Sales, you will be fully accountable for driving sustainable, profitable growth across defined channels in the UK and Ireland, with a focus on the High Street gift sector, National Accounts, and relevant Irish channels.

You will lead a substantial, multi-million-pound business, managing a portfolio of customer accounts to achieve — and exceed — sales and margin targets. You will champion a brand portfolio that includes Yankee Candle, Parker, PaperMate, Sharpie and others, delivering added value to customers.

You will also lead and develop a team of eight field-based Account Managers, working closely with cross-functional support teams to ensure commercial success and alignment across the business.

We will help you achieve your goals and develop by providing regular feedback and access to online training courses.

Your Key Responsibilities:

Sales Strategy & Market Development

• Drive Market Strategy: Develop and execute sales and marketing strategies to boost market penetration for Newell Home Fragrance products across channels.
• Commercial Planning & Execution: Proactively manage account plans and revenue/margin gaps through joint business planning (JBP), cross-functional collaboration, and full product lifecycle oversight.
• Customer & Channel Development: Manage and grow customer relationships across complex channels, negotiate commercial terms, and align with Newell Brands’ strategic objectives.

Commercial & Financial Leadership

• Financial Ownership & Performance: Take full ownership of profit and loss (P&L) and operating income, meet and exceed KPIs including sales targets, conversion, discount rates, shrinkage, and people costs.
• Strategic Planning & Forecasting: Lead budgeting and forecasting processes across annual, quarterly, and monthly cycles, ensuring accurate volume, value, and gross margin projections.
• Operational Excellence & Cost Control: Drive best practices in stock and service management, and manage all channel expenses in line with company policies and procedures.

Partnerships & Brand Engagement

• Partnerships & Market Engagement: Build strong relationships with reseller partners and represent the brand portfolio at trade shows and customer events to drive new business.
• Lead Brand Activation: Coordinate brand and promotional plans, ensuring high-impact execution of product launches and rolling promotions both in-store and online.
• Market Engagement & Insight: Stay ahead of industry and competitor trends, present insights to stakeholders, and build professional networks through participation in international events and meetings.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Build and Develop High-Performing Teams: Recruit, lead, and retain a motivated team, fostering continuous development and succession planning.
• Collaborate Across Functions: Engage regularly with international leadership and cross-functional teams (sales, marketing, HR, operations, finance, legal) to ensure business success.

What You’ll Need

Minimum:

• Extensive experience in a senior leadership role within commercial retail or retail operations, encompassing B2B and B2C sales and marketing, general management, or a senior key account position
• Strong Financial Acumen with proven ability to lead profit-driven decisions and manage business performance
• Track Record of Account Growth and strategic business planning to meet revenue goals
• Effective Data Analysis Skills to interpret commercial metrics and guide decision-making
• Proven People Leadership including recruitment, development, and motivation of high-performing teams

Your advantage:

• Advanced Communication & Influencing Skills across internal and external stakeholders
• Strategic Prioritization of workload through planning and operational leadership
• Proficiency in Microsoft Tools (Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook) and interest in emerging AI applications
• Excellent Organisation & Presentation Skills with attention to detail
• Resilience & Energy to thrive in fast-paced, complex environments

What You Gain

Newell Brands has a strong footprint in the EMEA region, with several thousand employees spread over many corporate offices and manufacturing facilities. You might recognise some of our iconic brands, like Parker, Sistema, Spontex, Crockpot, NUK, Coleman, and Yankee Candle, to name a few.

Join us and benefit from:

• Fully remote working system with one visit to the office per month
• Company car, laptop and a mobile phone
• Unlimited access to LinkedIn Learning – 17,000+ courses for your professional and personal development
• Corporate Citizenship Philosophies – environmentally sustainable and socially sensitive business practices
• Bravo – our global recognition programme where teammates can recognise each other and exceptional work is rewarded
• Discounts on some of our products from brands Parker, DYMO, Sharpie, Contigo, and others
• Employee Referral Program – an opportunity to get a bonus
• Global Employee Assistance Program – confidential support for you and your family, complementing our commitment to your well-being at work and beyond
• Give@Newell – paid time-off for charity activities dedicated for local communities right where you live/work
• Access to Employee Resource Groups that foster an inclusive culture
• Core Values: Integrity, Teamwork, Passion for Winning, Ownership, Leadership

Are you interested?

If so, please click on “Apply” on this site and upload your CV.

If your application is shortlisted, our recruiter will invite you for an initial phone interview.

By submitting your CV you acknowledge having read Newell Brands’ Privacy Statement for Job Applicants available at https://privacy.newellbrands.com/job-applicant/  If you wish to be considered also for other suitable positions with the company, please explicitly indicate so on your CV/motivation letter.

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