Market Entry & Sales Lead - Apparel Manufacturing

Venaglass Ltd; City of Westminster; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK apparel market entry consulting firm is seeking a Market Entry & Sales Lead to drive the entry of a large-scale Chinese apparel manufacturer into the UK market. This results-driven role focuses on generating qualified leads, securing meetings, and closing contracts with fashion brands and retailers. Candidates should possess strong B2B sales experience in the UK apparel industry and be comfortable with high-volume outreach and relationship management. Flexible working with essential travel is required.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Travel opportunities

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience in B2B sales or UK apparel industry.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with UK retailers.
• Track record of achieving sales targets and establishing new accounts.

Responsibilities

• Identify and target UK fashion brands and retailers.
• Execute outbound sales via email, calls, and LinkedIn.
• Secure meetings and lead negotiations with decision-makers.
• Translate UK production standards to overseas teams.
• Provide market intelligence on UK sourcing and pricing.

Skills

Experience in UK apparel manufacturing

Proven success in new business development

Strong understanding of UK quality control

Comfortable with cold outreach

Commercially sharp and persuasive

Resilient and persistent

Job description

Location

London (with national travel as required)

Contract Type

Full-time role

Delivery-focused role with defined commercial targets

About the Role

We are seeking a high-performing, commercially aggressive Market Entry & Sales Lead to drive the successful entry of Our Client, a large-scale Chinese apparel manufacturer, into the UK fashion and retail market.

This is a results-driven sales and business development role, accountable for generating qualified leads, securing meetings, progressing negotiations, and closing UK manufacturing contracts with fashion brands, private-label operators, and major retailers.

The successful candidate will act as a commercial and technical bridge between UK brands/retailers and Our Client, translating UK market expectations, quality standards, compliance requirements, and commercial realities into clear, actionable guidance.

Core Objectives

• Secure new UK manufacturing contracts within the project timeframe
• Build a repeatable outbound sales pipeline
• Position Our Client as a credible, UK-standard manufacturer

Key Responsibilities

• Identify and target UK fashion brands, retailers, sourcing offices, buying teams, and private-label operators
• Execute high-volume outbound sales activity including cold email, cold calling, LinkedIn outreach, and warm introductions
• Secure and lead meetings with decision-makers and progress opportunities through to signed manufacturing agreements
• Track performance against agreed KPIs including leads generated, meetings secured, samples progressed, and contracts signed
• Translate UK quality, compliance, and production expectations to overseas factory teams
• Review samples against UK retailer standards and provide clear, structured feedback on construction, fit, finishing, and consistency
• Support rapid sample improvement to meet UK buyer expectations
• Provide ongoing market intelligence on UK sourcing models, pricing dynamics, and competitive positioning

Candidate Profile

This role is suited to someone who thrives under pressure and is commercially relentless.

Essential Experience

• Experience in UK apparel manufacturing, sourcing, or B2B sales
• Proven success in new business development within fashion or retail
• Experience selling manufacturing services to UK brands or retailers
• Strong understanding of UK quality control and production standards
• Comfortable with cold outreach and high-volume contact activity

Highly Desirable

• Existing UK industry contacts
• Experience working with major UK retailers

Personal Attributes

• Commercially sharp, confident, and persuasive
• Resilient and persistent
• Structured, organised, and outcome-focused
• Able to operate independently

Contract Terms

• Fixed-term, project-based engagement
• Remuneration aligned to experience and KPI delivery
• Flexible working with travel as required

Application Process

Applicants should submit a CV and brief cover letter outlining their approach to UK market entry, new business generation, and experience bridging UK standards with overseas production