Senior Business Development Manager

Portwest; Westport; On-site; EUR 110,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Portwest is seeking a Senior Business Development Manager to lead commercial growth across one sector (Consumer, Energy or Industrial) with global reach. Based in Westport, Ireland, or Manchester, UK, you will report to the Director of Commercial Strategy and travel regularly to customers, markets and trade shows.

You will own the sector strategy, translate it into operational plans, build key accounts and distributors, manage a growth budget, and collaborate with Product Development, Sales and

Qualifications

• 10+ years in commercial, business development, or sales leadership within a B2B environment.
• Experience selling through distributors and understanding channel vs end-customer needs.
• Strong communication and ability to influence senior leadership.
• Knowledge of one relevant sector (Energy, Industrial, Construction, Manufacturing, Logistics, or Retail).
• Willingness to travel internationally.
• Second language (German, French, Spanish, or Polish) is a plus.
• Background in PPE or safety products is helpful but not required.

Responsibilities

• Own the commercial strategy for your sector, globally deciding where to focus, what to offer, and which customers and channels to prioritise.
• Translate the commercial strategy into operational plans and guide their execution.
• Set and manage a growth budget and track performance against targets.
• Build strong relationships with key accounts, distributors, and industry partners.
• Identify new business opportunities and bring them into the plan.
• Collaborate with Product Development, Sales and Marketing to ensure offerings meet customer needs.
• Present performance and opportunities to senior leadership.
• Travel regularly to key markets, customers, trade shows, and Portwest offices.
• Be a confident relationship-builder and effective negotiator with internal and external stakeholders.
• Take ownership of growth and go-to-market in one focus sector (Energy, Industrial, or Consumer).

Skills

Strong communication skills

Relationship-building

Negotiation

Leadership

Job description

Job Summary

Portwest is currently seeking applications for the position of Senior Business Development Manager in three verticals – Consumer/ Energy/ Industry, 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 (Consumer, 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) Or Consumer.

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.