Senior Business Development Manager - Industrial

Portwest; Manchester; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Portwest seeks a Senior Business Development Manager - Industrial to drive global growth in its Energy or Industrial sector. Based in Westport or Manchester, the role requires leading commercial strategy, managing a growth budget, and building key distributor relationships, with regular international travel.

You will influence senior leadership, collaborate across product, sales and marketing, and identify new opportunities to expand Portwest’s presence in target markets.

Qualifications

• Strong communication skills and the ability to present to senior leaders.
• Experience and capability to influence at senior leadership level.
• Proven track record in B2B commercial growth and channel/distributor experience.
• Knowledge of one Portwest focus sector (Energy or Industrial) is valuable.
• Willingness to travel internationally as required.

Responsibilities

• Own the commercial strategy for your sector and identify priority customers and channels.
• Translate strategy into actionable plans and guide execution.
• Set and manage sector growth budgets and track performance against targets.
• Build strong relationships with key accounts, distributors, and industry partners.
• Collaborate with Product Development, Sales and Marketing to ensure offerings meet customer needs.
• Present performance and opportunities to senior leadership and secure support.

Skills

Communication

Negotiation

International travel

Industry sector knowledge

Job description

PORTWEST, a leading global manufacturer of safety wear, workwear and PPE. Founded in 1904, Portwest has become one of the fastest growing workwear companies in the world currently employing over 6000 staff worldwide. With 1400 styles across more than 20 ranges, we design, manufacture and distribute market leading workwear, safety wear and PPE in fully owned production facilities. We’re on a mission to become the world’s most requested PPE and Safety Wear Brand.

Job Summary

Portwest is currently seeking applications for the position of Senior Business Development Manager - Industrial, based in Westport Ireland or Manchester UK, on a permanent basis reporting to Director of Commercial Strategy. Portwest is a leading global manufacturer of safety wear, workwear and PPE, founded in 1904, employing over 6000 staff worldwide with 1400 styles across more than 20 ranges, on a mission to become the world's most requested PPE and Safety Wear Brand. This role focuses on driving commercial growth in one Portwest industry sectors (Energy or Industrial) with regular international travel to customers, markets, and trade shows.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the commercial strategy for your sector, globally deciding where to focus, what to offer, and which customers and channels to prioritise.
• Translate said commercial strategy for your sector into operational plans & guide their execution.
• Set and manage a growth budget for your sector, and track performance against targets.
• Build strong relationships with key accounts, distributors, and industry partners in your sector.
• Identify new business opportunities--new customers, applications, channels, or markets and bring them into the commercial plan.
• Work with colleagues across Product Development, Sales and Marketing to make sure what Portwest offers genuinely fits customer needs in your sector and that plans are executed effectively, bringing market feedback into planning.
• Represent your sector to senior leadership, presenting performance, opportunities, and decisions that need their support.
• Involves regular international travel to key markets, customers, trade shows, and Portwest offices as required.
• Be a confident relationship-builder, a strong influencer & negotiator both internally & externally, credible with senior buyers, procurement teams, and channel partners.
• Take ownership of growth and go-to-market approach in one of Portwest's focus industry sectors (Energy, including Oil & Gas, Chemical, Utilities, Mining, Solar and renewables; or Industrial, including Construction, Aviation, Transport & Logistics and related sectors)

Requirements

• 10+ years in commercial, business development, or sales leadership within a B2B environment, with a track record of driving revenue growth
• Experience selling through distributors is an advantage, understanding both channel and end-customer needs.
• Strong communication skills, ability to confidently present externally and influence at senior leadership level internally.
• Strong knowledge of at least one relevant industry sector, such as Energy, Industrial, Construction, Manufacturing, Logistics, or Retail.
• Comfortable using market data and performance trends to shape strategy.
• Background in PPE, workwear, or safety products is helpful, but not essential.
• A second language relevant to a key Portwest market (German, French, Spanish, or Polish) is an advantage
• Willingness to travel internationally as required

Company Awards

• Great Place To Work 2024
• Private Irish Business of the year - Export Industry Awards 2025
• Silver Ecovadis Sustainability Rating 2025

Applicants must have a right to live and work in the relevant jurisdiction.

Portwest is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, civil status, veteran status, family status, disability status or membership of a minority group.