Sales Manager (Naval)

Fortress Recruit Limited; England; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defence engineering organisation is seeking an experienced Sales Manager to support growth across naval and submarine programmes in the UK. The role involves managing relationships with naval customers, driving sales across new builds and lifecycle support, and leading opportunity development. Candidates should have proven sales experience in the naval defence sector and strong communication skills. This Hampshire-based position offers hybrid working, competitive salary, bonuses, and benefits.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Bonus

Benefits package

Qualifications

• Proven experience in sales or business development within the naval or marine defence sector.
• Strong understanding of complex engineered or manufactured systems.
• Existing network within the UK defence or naval customer community.

Responsibilities

• Managing and developing relationships with UK naval customers.
• Driving sales activity across new build and lifecycle support programmes.
• Leading opportunity development and capture planning.

Skills

Sales experience in naval or marine defence sector

Understanding of complex engineered systems

Networking within UK defence community

Managing high-value sales opportunities

Engaging senior stakeholders

Collaborative working style

Job description

Fortress Recruit is working with a well-established defence engineering organisation to appoint an experienced Sales Manager (Navy) to support continued growth across complex naval and submarine programmes.

This role offers the opportunity to take ownership of key UK naval relationships, shaping and delivering commercially robust solutions for mission‑critical systems operating in highly regulated defence environments. You'll play a pivotal role in driving long‑term growth, influencing strategy, and leading complex sales activities across new build and through‑life support programmes.

Key responsibilities

• Managing and developing relationships with UK naval and defence customers
• Driving sales activity across new build and lifecycle support programmes
• Leading opportunity development, capture planning, and bid coordination
• Translating complex technical and operational requirements into commercial solutions
• Working closely with engineering, manufacturing, and programme teams to deliver aligned outcomes
• Contributing market insight to inform naval strategy and future business planning
• Supporting pipeline forecasting and long‑term growth initiatives

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a sales or business development role within the naval or marine defence sector
• Strong understanding of complex engineered or manufactured systems
• Existing network within the UK defence or naval customer community
• Experience managing long‑cycle, high‑value sales opportunities
• Confident communicator able to engage senior stakeholders and cross‑functional teams
• A self‑motivated, commercially astute professional with a collaborative working style
• Current security clearance or eligibility to obtain (5 years UK residency without visa or sponsorship requirement)

This is an excellent opportunity to join a respected defence organisation working on long‑term, strategically important naval programmes, offering genuine influence, autonomy, and career longevity.

This is a Hampshire‑based role with hybrid working, and regular travel to both UK and overseas customer sites. On offer is a competitive salary, alongside bonus and benefits package.

For a confidential conversation or to request a job description, please apply with your full CV and Becki will be in touch with you.