Sales Manager
- Salary: £35,000–£40,000 + bonus and benefits
- Location: London (hybrid)
- Reports to: Head of Commercial Strategy
- Contract: Full-time, permanent
The role
This is a new role, created to strengthen and grow Saqi’s commercial performance. You are the sales lead for our imprints – responsible for how our books reach readers across every channel and format. You will manage the full range of sales activity: distributor and retail relationships, UK and international sell-in and sell-through, and digital revenue across eBook and audio. You will work closely with the Head of Commercial Strategy on forecasting, title planning and seasonal campaigns, feeding sales data and market insight back into the planning process. You will bring a grounded commercial perspective into publishing decisions from acquisition onwards.
Key responsibilities
- Manage relationships with our distributors, sales representatives and key retail and wholesale accounts, maximising sell-in and sell-through across UK and export markets
- Develop and deliver seasonal sales plans for new titles and backlist, working within targets set with the Head of Commercial Strategy
- Drive eBook and audiobook revenue: manage platform relationships, monitor performance data and identify opportunities to improve discoverability and sales
- Oversee metadata and ONIX delivery, ensuring our titles are accurately and effectively represented across all retail and library platforms
- Maintain accurate, timely sales data to support monthly revenue summaries and quarterly reporting
- Monitor the retail landscape and competitor activity, feeding insight into format, pricing and title strategy
- Work closely with Editorial and Marketing to ensure commercial thinking shapes the publishing process from acquisition onwards
Experience & skills
- At least 3 years in a trade sales role within book publishing
- Hands on experience managing distributor relationships and retail accounts, with a track record of driving sell-in and sell-through
- Confidence with sales data, metadata and ONIX processes
- Strong analytical skills and proficiency in Excel or Google Sheets
- Clear, direct communication and the ability to build lasting external relationships
- The ability to manage a varied workload and prioritise effectively in a small team
What we offer
- A senior commercial role within an independent publisher with a clear identity and purpose
- Real autonomy and ownership of day-to-day sales activity
- A collaborative environment where decisions are made quickly and your voice shapes strategy
- Scope to grow with the business and develop the role over time
Benefits
- 32 days’ holiday (including bank holidays)
- Hybrid and flexible working
- Discretionary annual bonus
- Contributory pension
- Birthday leave / personal day
- Paid volunteer day
How to apply
Please send your CV and a cover letter to jobs@saqibooks.com, outlining your relevant experience and why this role interests you. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and particularly encourage applications from those underrepresented in publishing.
Deadline: Friday 29 May