Sales Manager UK - Navy

Wärtsilä; Havant; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading naval technology firm is seeking an experienced Sales Manager to drive growth in the UK naval market. This role requires a proactive individual, familiar with SLS products and a strong network within the defence community. Responsibilities include developing sales strategies and maintaining customer relationships. The ideal candidate has over 5 years of sales leadership experience in the marine defence sector, excellent communication skills, and a track record of driving results in a team-oriented environment.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Qualifications

• A minimum of 5 years’ experience as a sales lead in the marine defence environment.
• Depth knowledge of the UK defence market, key customers, and stakeholders.
• Skilled in active listening and customer engagement.

Responsibilities

• Promoting and selling the full SLS portfolio to UK naval customers.
• Driving pipeline development and forecasting.
• Developing and managing sales opportunities in collaboration with teams.

Skills

Sales lead experience

Customer engagement

Communication skills

Networking

Proactive mindset

Education

Degree level qualification

Tools

Microsoft Office Tools

Job description

About

Wärtsilä Defence Solutions Ltd (WDSL) based in the UK is the Centre of Excellence for surface and sub-submarine shaft lines, trusted by over 75 navies worldwide. As part of Wärtsilä Shaft Line Solutions (SLS), we deliver complete, mission‑critical shaft line solutions for submarines and naval vessels.

The SLS business is pursuing an exciting growth strategy and to accelerate our momentum, we are seeking to add an experienced UK sales manager to our Business Development Team.

Role and What we are looking for

We are seeking a dynamic and proactive Sales Manager to represent SLS (Shaft Line Solutions) business, with a focus on leveraging capabilities across the SLS manufacturing sites and services portfolio.

This role is pivotal in driving sales growth, ensuring alignment and delivering customer‑focused solutions that supports the success of SLS in the naval market.

The ideal candidate will bring deep knowledge of the SLS product portfolio and operations, a strong customer‑centric mindset and contact network with key UK customers, and the ability to influence cross‑functional resources to generate and close sales opportunities. Acting as a key SLS representative to maximise scope, ensuring successful bid delivery enhancing the overall probability of success.

This role is a voice of the naval market in the UK, advising and contributing towards the SLS navy strategy and roadmap.

Key Role Responsibilities

Responsible for promoting and selling the full SLS portfolio to UK naval customers by communicating customer requirements to develop tailored solutions. From account planning, lead generation and opportunity development to detailed quotation preparation, playing a critical role in enabling SLS to secure new business and strengthen its market position.

As UK Sales Manager, Navy, your work will focus on these responsibilities:

• Lead and coordinate communications across SLS, focusing on new build and lifecycle strategies, account plans & opportunity development.
• Drive pipeline development and forecasting, contributing to strategic planning and business growth across SLS.
• Develop and manage sales opportunities in collaboration with the existing SLS sales teams, including new build and lifecycle initiatives to deliver and exceed customer expectations.
• Be the Capture Team lead (where applicable), ensuring alignment and execution across SLS.
• Ensure compliance and quality of integrated product offerings with customer specifications, maintaining consistency and excellence across SLS facilities & services portfolio.
• Drives the identification and assessment of new business opportunities, including partnerships, and new market entries.
• Develops and maintains partnerships and relationships with key customers, industry players, and partners, to support business growth strategies.
• Drive strategic growth of the SLS business within the UK naval market, ensuring growth maintains profitability and uphold the company's reputation for excellence.
• Ensure high levels of customer retention and satisfaction by delivering consistent value, growing strong relationships and responding proactively to customer needs.

To be successful in this role, we expect you to have:

• In‑depth knowledge and experience with SLS products and manufacturing operations.
• Depth knowledge and experience of the UK defence market, key customers and stakeholders.
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts.
• Demonstrable experience in translating customer requirements into commercial offerings.
• Highly independent and proactive, with a track record of taking initiative and driving results.
• Skilled in active listening and customer engagement.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly to support business development.
• Lead meetings and negotiations with potential clients and business partners to pursue business opportunities and protect the organization’s business interests.
• Coordinates, manages and partakes in analysis, research and benchmarking activities to inform business decisions and strategic direction.
• Fosters a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within business development.
• Leads the identification and evaluation of new business opportunities and sales leads, leading and participating in sales activities and aligning activities with the organization’s goals.

Essential

• Willingness to adopt the Wartsila culture.
• Experience and network of contacts with the UK defence community.
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience as a sales lead in the marine defence environment.
• Strong leadership skills and can demonstrate a team working ethos.
• Strong stakeholder management skills at all including at Senior Management levels.

Desirable

• Experience dealing with sub‑contractors and partner businesses.
• Commercial awareness.
• Able to operate with overseas clients in the Defence sector.
• Degree level qualification. (any subject)
• Intermediate level skills in Microsoft Office Tools.

Package

WDSL offers a competitive package

Wartsila operates a hybrid working regime that is consistent with the goals of the business.

Travel to customers, partners and other sites across the UK will be required and overseas travel may be needed from time to time.

Why Wärtsilä Defence Solutions Limited?

At WDSL we believe in empowerment, ownership and taking responsibility for our work. We support each other’s growth and believe this to be the true basis of our innovation. Together, we have courage to see opportunities and take initiative.

We are authentic and honest. We value, respect and embrace all cultures, and are committed to diversity, inclusion and equal employment opportunities. We want everyone to voice their opinions freely. That is why we have built an environment that empowers you and everyone around you, where you will feel valued, safe and cared for.

Everyone can be their true self and succeed in reaching their full potential.

Are you eager to be part of the WDSL growth ambitions?

At WDSL we value, respect and embrace all differences, and are committed to diversity, inclusion and equal employment opportunities; everyone can be their true self and succeed based on their job‑relevant merits and abilities.

This is Wärtsilä

Wärtsilä is a global leader in innovative technologies and lifecycle solutions for the marine and energy markets. Our team of 17,000 professionals, in more than 200 locations in 68 countries, shape the decarbonisation transformation of our industries across the globe. Read more on www.wartsila.com

Last application date: 23/01/2026

At Wärtsilä we value, respect and embrace all our differences, and are committed to diversity, inclusion and equal employment opportunities; everyone can be their true self and succeed based on their job‑relevant merits and abilities. Please note that according to Wärtsilä policy, voluntary consent for a security check may be required from candidates being considered for this position, depending on the applicable country.

This is Wärtsilä

Wärtsilä is a global leader in innovative technologies and lifecycle solutions for the marine and energy markets. Our team of 18,300 professionals, in more than 230 locations in 77 countries, shape the decarbonisation transformation of our industries across the globe. Read more on www.wartsila.com.