Sales Manager UK - Navy

Wärtsilä Corporation; Havant; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global technology company is seeking a dynamic Sales Manager in the UK for the naval market. The role involves driving sales growth, enhancing customer relationships, and leading communications across SLS operations. You should have in-depth knowledge of SLS products, exceptional communication skills, and at least 5 years in a sales leadership position within the marine defence sector. This position includes a hybrid work regime and the necessity to support business growth through strategic initiatives.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Hybrid working regime

Qualifications

• In-depth knowledge and experience with SLS products and manufacturing operations.
• Exceptional communication skills to translate complex technical concepts.
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience as a sales lead in the marine defence environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate communications across SLS.
• Drive pipeline development and forecasting.
• Develop and manage sales opportunities with existing sales teams.

Skills

Communication skills

Active listening

Stakeholder management

Leadership skills

Proactive initiative

Education

Degree level qualification

Job description

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 support 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 and 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

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.
• Drive the identification and assessment of new business opportunities, including partnerships, and new market entries.
• Develop and maintain 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 upholds 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.
• Coordinate, manage and partake in analysis, research and benchmarking activities to inform business decisions and strategic direction.
• Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within business development.
• Lead the identification and evaluation of new business opportunities and sales leads, participating in sales activities and aligning activities with the organization's goals.
• Willingness to adopt the Wiar tsila 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 a team‑working ethos.
• Strong stakeholder management skills at all levels, including Senior Management.
• Experience dealing with sub‑contractors and partner businesses.
• Able to operate with overseas clients in the Defence sector.
• Degree level qualification (any subject).

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.

Security Restrictions

Please be aware that this position will be subject to security restrictions and the successful candidate must successfully complete a security clearance. This means that factors including your nationality, and previous nationalities you have or have held and/or your place of birth may limit the role you can perform for the business.

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

If you are keen to be part of our plans for growth as a WDSL Sales Manager, please provide, through the WDSL careers portal, a CV (maximum 2 sides) and a covering letter (maximum 1 side) covering the following:

• What is important to you and why you are interested in a career with WDSL
• How you would measure your success in this role
• What your development areas are and how you would hope to address them within WDSL to our mutual benefit

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

At Wärtsilä we value, respect, and embrace all our differences, and we 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.