Keeping Focus: On or In the Business?

I'm puzzling over a bit of a dilemma this weekend.

I have two distinct aspects to my business born of the expertise of myself and my co-director. The organisation was set up as an engineering firm, but as I have become increasingly involved, and since I sold my shares in another company I owned which sold tools and engineering supplies, I have been increasingly interested in developing a sales dimension to L&B Technical Services Ltd, using our expertise to supply tools and welding consumables to trade, industry and commerce in the South East of England and up the East Coast (Suffolk/ Northamptonshire/ Linciolnshire/ Herefordshire/ Peterborough/ Norfolk). A couple of years ago now I merged a third business I own with L&B Technical Services Ltd, which also sells engineering and welding products. Obviously this is an allied area of industry and there are distinct advantages to the amalgamation in terms of sourcing product.

We have secured some important distributorships, notably Huntingdon Fusion Techniques superb range of Pipe Purging Equipment and Kemppi, probably the most popular brand of welding plant in the world today!

Our engineering function is currently much larger than our supplies function, but I would like to see that change and have been dabbling quite a bit, employing different sales people and admin staff to see if I could find someone who would really make it roar ahead. I haven't.

In fact the sales thing is quite extraordinary. How does one find a decent sales person these days? Even with my extensive connections in the marketplace, I don't even know anyone good enough to poach even if I could! I think the model used to be that someone would join a trade counter and learn about products and services, eventually seeking promotion to field sales. Things are very different today with on-line buying and the job of the sales rep seems largely redundant. Still, the same old players are out there earning a living, so there must be something to say for the tried and tested way of doing things.

So now I face a dilemma. I could just leave the sales function bubbling along as it is and through all my energy and commitment into the engineering aspect of the business, or I could do what I do best and get out there and sell to the customers myself. This would be fun and I know I can do it, but can I continue to effectively work on the Company and work in it at the same time? Taking your eye off the ball can be the worst mistake anyone makes in business, but does getting more involved with the work of the Company mean taking my eye off the ball or being more on it?

Another part of the equation is that I feel quite stagnant in the office. I would like to get out and about and shake things up a bit; see where I can take it. It could be a healthy and valuable change for me to get out a bit and see the customers, after all who has more passion and belief in L&B Technical Services Ltd and the products we supply than me?

If you would like to know more about the products and services we offer at L&B Technical Services Ltd, please do not hesitate to call and arrange a meeting, or check out our website here for mechanical and electrical engineering, facilities maintenance and engineering consultancy and here for hand and power tools, fixings and fasteners, abrasives, welding plant and consumable and other allied products.

Field Sales Manager Vacancy

L&B Technical Services Ltd is a dynamic, growing wholesale supplier of industrial consumables to major industry. The Company’s success is a result of the implementation of a unique strategy which builds strong relationships with leading international manufacturers, and offers unparalleled service to our clients. 

L&B Technical Services has a unique attitude to staff which focuses on recognising talent & nurturing it, inspiring & motivating individuals to get the best from them. We firmly believe that success comes from building a strong, happy team of motivated and talented individuals who are committed to achieving. Our Company strategy is born of an intellectual conviction that labour takes precedence over capital, people are more important than things, and that work is more than just an activity or commodity; it is an essential dimension of human nature. L&B Technical Services functions on an integral ideology which encourages and fosters the dignity of every human being.

As the Company continues to grow and expand, a fantastic and unique opportunity has arisen for a Field Sales Engineer based at our exciting new premises, ideally located in the busy industrial centre of Basildon, Essex.

Having led the independent market for over twenty years, the directors of L&B Technical are now beginning a new chapter of development for the Company. An unprecedented three year run of success and growth has opened the door to an experienced Sales Executive to cover the local area, with opportunities for further development throughout the South East.

You will be selling an extensive portfolio of products including Welding Plant and Consumables with the full back up of leading manufacturers, including Kemppi, GYS, Migatronic and HFT. You will also be required to develop sales of Weld Purging Equipment, Abrasives, Hand and Power Tools and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Our target markets are Industrial Fabrication organisations, Aerospace, Manufacturing, Process Engineering, Construction, Facilities Maintenance, Pipeline and Sheet Metal sectors. Our approach is to find the best product for the client and sell it based on it’s features and benefits, suitability, and the value it will add for them.

L&B has an extensive presence in the City of London as well as a base in Peterborough. 

The Candidate
The Field Sales Engineer will have a passion for welding technology and process. A previous experience and a successful track record of networking, developing new business, sales and account management, and deep knowledge of market as it relates to Welding Plant & Consumables, Abrasive Products, Hand & Power Tools, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). You will be a tenacious individual looking for career advancement, self-motivated and target-driven, who thrives on working within a fast paced and rapidly changing environment, building client relationships & delivering continued improvement.

The Package
As Field Sales Engineer you will be rewarded with a basic salary of between £25,000 and £35,000, (This is negotiable based on previous experience with the possibility of a higher base for a truly exceptional candidate) with a generous, uncapped commission structure bringing OTE to around £45,000. Benefits include Pension, car, laptop and phone.

We are looking for an individual who is interested in joining a dynamic team at a key moment in development. You will have an extensive customer base with a proven track record of success in the industry. You will be working alongside the directors under your own initiative in order to grow the business in an environment where success will be richly rewarded. You will join the directors in sourcing new manufacturers and developing relationships with international suppliers and manufacturers as well as customers.

Don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity! Apply now!

If this sounds like the right opportunity for you, contact us immediately and we will arrange an interview.

Job Title - Field Sales Engineer
Products - Industrial Consumables including Welding Equipment, Welding Supplies, Abrasive Equipment, Power Tools, PPE, Personal Protective Equipment
Location - Primarily Essex/ Suffolk/ Kent but not fixed.

Package - £25,000-£35,000 basic AAE, uncapped OTE £45,000, Pension, Car, Laptop, Phone.

To apply, send your email to info@landbtechnical.com or using LinkedIn.