Business Development Manager - Textile Solutions

Airport Placements; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading textile solutions provider in the UK is seeking an experienced Business Development Manager to grow sales across the UK and Irish textile industries. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in textile sales, with excellent relationship-building abilities. Responsibilities include managing the sales process from lead generation to contract completion, while ensuring customer satisfaction and retention. The role requires travel within the UK and Ireland. A competitive salary of £50k - £65k is offered, along with bonuses and health benefits.

Benefits

Private Health Care

29 holidays including Bank Holidays

Bonus up to 15% of salary

Qualifications

• Current and relevant experience in the textile industry.
• Proven track record in sales and business development.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and expand product sales across the UK and Ireland.
• Generate and qualify leads through various channels.
• Prepare and submit tailored proposals to customers.
• Lead commercial negotiations and finalize contracts.

Skills

Sales experience in textile industry

Communication skills

Negotiation skills

Organizational skills

Relationship-building

Education

BSc (Hons) in Textile Studies

MSc in Textile Technology

Professional qualifications such as ASDC or C-Col

Job description

Business Development Manager - Textile Solutions

Job Reference: HL191225CH

, Greater Manchester

Permanent

Job Title: Business Development Manager - Textile Solutions
Location: Remote, ideally live around Manchester, Leeds, Derby, Leicester, Yorkshire, Burnley
Reporting to: BD Textiles - Sales Director

My client is a specialist provider of textile solutions, looking to appoint an experienced Business Development Manager to grow and support sales across the UK and Irish textile industries. This is a key, customer-facing role combining technical understanding of textile applications with strong commercial acumen and relationship-building skills.

You will manage the full sales cycle - from lead generation and qualification, through solution development, pricing and negotiation, to contract completion and ongoing account management.

Key responsibilities:

• Maintain and expand product sales across the UK and Irish textile sectors in line with agreed targets.
• Generate and qualify leads through trade fairs, conferences, direct referrals and customer visits, working alongside inside sales.
• Take ownership of customer interactions and manage the sales process end-to-end to ensure a seamless customer experience.
• Prepare and submit tailored proposals based on validated customer needs, working closely with internal technical/application specialists.
• Define customer pricing within agreed strategic pricing frameworks, in liaison with the Customer Service Manager and BD Textiles - Sales Director.
• Lead commercial negotiations and finalise contracts with local customers.
• Ensure high levels of customer retention and satisfaction through proactive follow-up and development of long-term relationships.
• Maintain accurate customer data and activity records in the CRM system and provide local sales forecasts as required.
• Build and maintain strong application knowledge of my client's products, services and textile applications.
• Take responsibility for achieving agreed margin and sales goals.
• Travel with UK & Ireland, a long along M 62 and Midlands

About you:
Essential:

• Current and relevant experience in the textile industry (e.g. dyes, finishes, textile processing, or related fields).
• Proven track record in sales, business development or technical sales within textiles.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel throughout the UK, Ireland and occasionally overseas for business, training and development.
• Strong communication, influencing and negotiation skills, with the ability to build credibility at all levels.
• Highly organised, able to plan and structure your working week and work independently.
• Professional, self-motivated and able to give balanced, well-reasoned advice to customers and colleagues.
• Basic DBS check (or willingness to undergo one).
• BSc (Hons) in Textile Studies or equivalent.
• MSc in Textile Technology or equivalent.
• Professional qualifications such as ASDC or C-Col (Society of Dyers and Colourists) or similar.

Training, compliance and standards:

• Ongoing training in product and sales knowledge and company Health & Safety regulations will be provided.
• Familiarity with quality and environmental management systems (e.g. ISO 9001, ISO 50001, ISO 14001, Health & Safety at Work) is beneficial.
• You must follow company policies on confidentiality and security of company and customer information, products, equipment and premises.
• Salary based on experience - £50 - £65k
• Bonus - up to 15% of salary
• Private Health Care - currently AXA
• Holidays - 29 including Bank Holidays (increases on an annual basis)