Stephen Back
Barton Seagrave,Northants
Summary
An experienced and driven Sales Director with a proven track record of success at the highest level. With over 25 years of experience in networking, building strong consultative and strategic relationships and consistently exceeding sales revenue targets.
An excellent problem solver with the ability to think quickly and adapt to fast moving environments. Forward thinking and always striving to come up with creative and innovative strategies for the future.
Seeking to leverage extensive sales experience to drive growth and profitability.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work history
UK Sales Director
Quad POS UK (formerly Marin's UK Limited)
Wadenhoe, Northamptonshire
02.2020 - Current
- Implemented multiple lead generation strategies to grow awareness of the Quad brand in the UK.
- Boosted brand visibility with targeted marketing campaigns (including O2O : Offline to Online POS Marketing Solution - helping clients to launch digital promotions from physical point of sale displays (eg, Amazon Hub Locker digital signage solution)
- Organised promotional events to increase product awareness. Designed and installed promotional stands at the 2022 International Food and Drink Exhibition and the 2024/2025 Visual Merchandising & Display Show.
- Developed new partnerships for business growth. (eg. SIG Europe : international field marketing agency to help install POS displays in retail)
- Created sales forecasts to inform strategic planning.
- Streamlined sales processes resulting in improved efficiency.
- Managed team of 5 staff, driving performance with motivational strategies to exceed sales targets.
- Grew annual revenue by 25% with targeted sales and marketing strategy over 3 years (growing annual revenue from £800k to £1 million)
- Utilised CRM systems effectively to manage customer data and interactions, sales pipeline management, revenue generated and ROI (Salesforce and SharePoint)
- Provided exceptional after-sales service, promoting repeat business with numerous blue chip clients (including Allwyn (National Lottery provider), Epson and Amazon)
- Collaborated effectively across multiple European teams, enabling development of excellent people skills and successfully managing projects that involved different languages and cultural differences. Involved coordination and planning of product and solution launches across multiple disciplines such as Sales, Research and Development, Creative, Marketing, Production and Logistics.
- Preparing and producing high quality business proposals, tender documents and project plans.
Business development director
Valassis UK (now Savi UK)
Corby, Northamptonshire
12.1998 - 01.2020
- Built up an extensive knowledge of the sales promotion industry to help clients understand how best to use below the line marketing techniques to promote their brands.
- Worked with major multiple retailers to help them explore how their EPOS systems could be enhanced to electronically validate and clear promotional offers : VERSO : electronic redemption of coupons at point of sale.
- Managed key accounts to ensure customer satisfaction (such as Sainsbury's, Waitrose, Glaxo SmithKline, Kimberly Clark and Unilever).
- Delivered presentations at industry and company events to promote company products and services.
- Represented Valassis at trade exhibitions, driving awareness of multiple products such as Care Link, Coupon Gallery and Print@Home.
- During my last 4 years at Valassis, every quarterly target was reached, developing annual new business revenues in excess of £500k.
- Over 21 years in the Sales Promotion industry I established an extensive contact database within the FMCG industry, marketing agencies and major grocery and pharmaceutical retailers.
Export Manager
Dawson Books Ltd (part of Surridge Dawson Group)
Wellingborough, Northamptonshire
09.1991 - 11.1998
- Coordinated logistics operations, enhanced organisational performance.
- Generated new business opportunities by fostering relationships with overseas clients.
- Worked closely with supply chain department for seamless operations.
- Prepared accurate export documentation, ensured smooth custom clearance.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Modern Languages (French & German)
Keble College, Oxford University
OxfordSkills
- Business development
- B2B sales experience
- Technical product demonstrations
- Product launch expertise
- Lead Generation
- Microsoft office suite proficiency
- Business development acumen
- Cross-Selling and upselling expertise
- Salesforce CRM system mastery
- Pipeline Management
- Multi-Channel sales experience
- Key account handling
- Communication excellence
- Target market identification
- Resilience in high-pressure situations
- Customer retention strategies
Affiliations
- Family History Research
- Researching and writing novels
- Mountain walking
Accomplishments
"Valassis Pillar of Excellence Award" (recognizing outstanding sales target achievement) 2017
Certification
Professional Diploma in Digital Marketing (Digital Marketing Institute) June 2018
Key Account Management Certificate (Cranfield School of Management) 2011
IPM Certificate in Marketing (Institute of Promotional Management) 2005
Languages
French
Fluent
German
Advanced
Timeline
UK Sales Director
Quad POS UK (formerly Marin's UK Limited)
02.2020 - Current
Business development director
Valassis UK (now Savi UK)
12.1998 - 01.2020
Export Manager
Dawson Books Ltd (part of Surridge Dawson Group)
09.1991 - 11.1998
Bachelor of Arts - Modern Languages (French & German)
Keble College, Oxford University
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