Sales Director

Smith Anderson is the UK’s leading paper bag manufacturer, operating from a modern production facility in Kirkcaldy, producing over 60 million paper bags per week for top tier customers in the fast food and pharmacy markets. They count many top brands in their portfolio such as; McDonalds, Greggs, Burger King, LNER, Itsu and Costa as well as many pharmacy customers. 

 There has been an unprecedented growth in demand for paper bags and the business turnover has doubled in the last eight years. Smith Anderson is one of Scotland’s oldest family-owned companies, originally established in 1859 and now entering its 165th year. 

 This is an exciting time in the business, orders from existing customers are growing, as is demand from the home delivery market. Substantial investment over the last two years in new capital equipment, new products and new markets has allowed the business to meet this demand and the company continues to diversify. 

There is now an opportunity to appoint a new Sales Director to continue to lead and drive the commercial strategy globally for the organisation. 

 With recent investment in the production facility, and a new JV distribution partnership in place, the Sales Director will lead and manage a team of experienced account managers to drive growth across both UK and international markets. There is also a big opportunity to improve and refine the company’s marketing capabilities and contribute to new NPD and innovation initiatives. 

 With a market-leading brand, and solid infrastructure in place, this really is a fantastic time to join the business. 

We are looking for a dynamic, people oriented Sales Director to join the business who has experience of the following; 

•  Defining, developing and implementing category and group wide sales strategies in a fast moving, environment. 
• Ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels with excellent communication and interpersonal skills 
• A proven track record of developing people and performance in a team environment. 
• Working closely with cross-functional teams including marketing, product development, and supply chain to ensure alignment and effective execution of sales strategies. 
• The ability to work in collaboration with other business functions including Finance, Planning, Procurement & Production. 
• Exposure to NPD and the development of associated marketing campaigns. 
• It is essential the candidate can demonstrate broad and deep commercial acumen including not only the ability to drive sales volumes, but improve margin and profitability, develop commercial partnerships/agreements and drive contractual value and governance. 
• Ideally, they will have experience of import/export activity in a global business 

 Smith Anderson is a people-oriented business founded on family values – it is therefore essential the individual’s natural style is one of collaboration and teamwork. 

 This is a wonderful opportunity to join a growing business, with a great culture and strong values and to make a real difference in its future.