Director - Sales & Business Development Ireland - Pharma & Food

Responsibilities / Tasks

The Sales Director for UK & Ireland (Pharma & Food Applications) is a senior leadership position with responsibility for shaping and delivering the commercial strategy of the PFA business. This is not solely a sales execution role; it is a strategic appointment that will contribute to the long term growth, stability, and profitability of the UK & Ireland entity.

Working closely with the Managing Director and the wider leadership team, the Sales Director will develop and execute a sustainable market strategy, lead high value and complex sales engagements, and build a high performing sales organization. Success in this role requires resilience, diplomacy, and the ability to navigate a complex, matrixed organization while maintaining strong governance and disciplined sales processes.

• Develop and execute comprehensive sales strategies aligned with company objectives and market opportunities across the UK & Ireland
• Partner with the senior leadership team to set annual revenue targets, sales forecasts, and growth initiatives
• Analyse market trends, competitive dynamics, and customer need to identify new business opportunities
• Lead go to market strategies for new products, services, and market segments
• Contribute to the broader strategic direction of the business beyond sales activity

• Lead and oversee complex, high value capital equipment and solution based sales processes
• Clearly articulate the customer value proposition and align it with GEA's value creation objectives
• Define and manage clear terms of engagement, including rigorous assessment of deal viability, risk, and mutual benefit
• Balance commercial ambition with appropriate governance to protect the business while enabling winning outcomes
• Champion disciplined sales processes supported by strong project management and service collaboration

• Build, lead, and inspire a high performing sales organization
• Recruit, develop, and retain senior sales talent and future leaders
• Coach and mentor sales managers and individual contributors to elevate performance
• Establish performance management frameworks, development plans, and succession strategies
• Design and implement sales structures, territories, quotas, and compensation plans that drive growth

• Establish and continuously improve sales processes, methodologies, and best practices
• Lead effective use of CRM systems, sales tools, and performance dashboards
• Own sales forecasting, pipeline management, and budgeting processes
• Manage and grow an annual sales budget in excess of £25m
• Define and monitor performance metrics, using insight and data to drive continuous improvement
• Lead deal governance processes including reviews, approvals, and risk assessment

• Operate effectively in a complex, matrixed, and demanding business environment
• Demonstrate resilience and composure under pressure, viewing internal challenges as opportunities for alignment and improvement
• Communicate with clarity and influence across functions to gain buy in for strategy and execution
• Use diplomacy and professional judgement to challenge constructively when required
• Strong belief that disciplined process, deep customer understanding, and cross functional collaboration are critical to sustainable success

• Degree or equivalent further education in an engineering and/or business discipline
• Formal sales training delivered by a reputable provider
• 5-10 years of progressive sales experience, including at least 5 years in senior sales leadership roles
• Proven track record of leading sales teams of 10+ people and delivering annual revenues exceeding £20m
• Strong background in B2B solution selling and complex sales environments
• Demonstrated ability to build and scale a sales organization to deliver growth
• Excellent communication, presentation, and negotiation skills
• Experience in a global, fast moving capital equipment manufacturing environment (Desirable)
• Food industry experience preferred (Desirable)