Sales & Business Development Director

Our client is a leading international manufacturer of large-scale commercial and specialist vehicles, with an established UK manufacturing footprint and a strong presence in global markets.

The business designs, engineers, manufactures and supports complex vehicles for a diverse customer base spanning small and medium-sized businesses, major corporate accounts and public services. It continues to invest in low-emission and electric products as customer requirements, regulation and procurement priorities evolve.

The business is seeking to appoint a Sales & Business Development Director to lead its UK commercial strategy and sales activities.

The successful candidate will take responsibility for sustainable revenue and order growth, strengthen relationships with existing customers and develop opportunities across new markets and accounts. They will also improve the quality, visibility and predictability of the future sales pipeline.

This is a senior, customer-facing B2B sales position combining strategic business development with disciplined commercial execution. Working closely with the senior leadership team, the role will ensure customer insight informs product development, manufacturing, service and wider business strategy.

• Developing and executing a clear UK sales and business development strategy.
• Delivering agreed revenue, order-intake, margin and commercial-performance targets.
• Owning the sales pipeline and improving the visibility and predictability of future demand.
• Building strategic relationships with SME, major corporate and public-service customers.
• Identifying and converting new business opportunities across existing and emerging markets.
• Leading commercial responses to major tenders and complex procurement exercises.
• Working across Product, Engineering, Operations, Finance, Supply Chain and Service to ensure customer commitments are commercially and operationally deliverable.
• Leading and developing the sales and business development team while strengthening forecasting, CRM and commercial reporting.

• Significant senior-level B2B sales, commercial or business development experience within commercial vehicles, automotive, specialist vehicles, capital equipment or another relevant manufacturing environment.
• A strong record of delivering sustainable revenue, order and market-share growth.
• Experience of complex, high-value and long-cycle sales to private and/or public-sector customers.
• Strong commercial acumen across pricing, margins, contractual negotiation and risk.
• Experience of strategic-account management, new business development and major tenders.
• The ability to translate complex customer requirements into compelling commercial propositions.
• A strategic, customer-focused and performance-led approach, with the ability to align sales commitments with engineering, manufacturing and delivery capabilities.

Experience within large-scale commercial vehicles would be advantageous, although candidates from adjacent manufacturing sectors with highly transferable B2B sales experience are encouraged to apply.