Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead international sales, grow export revenue, and build high-performing teams.
- Company: Coopers Fire, a leader in innovative fire protection solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, travel opportunities, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Why this job: Shape global strategy and drive growth in a pivotal leadership role.
- Qualifications: Experience in fire protection sales and managing international teams.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for professional development and collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
Coopers Fire specialises in the design, manufacture, installation, and maintenance of advanced, bespoke Smoke and Fire Curtain systems for a wide range of buildings. Our purpose is clear: to save lives by delivering high-quality, innovative products and effective fire protection solutions. We are committed to creating an environment where our colleagues can thrive, perform at their best, and take pride in their work. Our core values Integrity, Pride and Passion, Teamship, and Pioneering guide everything we do.
By supporting our people, embracing diverse perspectives, and continuously challenging convention, we work collaboratively to lead the market through innovation always focused on safeguarding lives.
The Role
Coopers Fire is seeking a commercially strong, strategically aligned International Sales Director to reshape, rebuild and grow our export business. Following a recent decline in export revenue, this role is central to delivering our next phase of international growth. The successful candidate will implement our proven UK specification-led sales model globally, strengthen distributor performance, and build a high-performing international team. This is not a role for someone looking to reinvent the strategy. Our UK approach works. The opportunity is to execute it internationally with discipline, professionalism, and energy.
Key Objectives
- Rebuild export revenue toward and beyond historic levels
- Recruit two Export Specification Sales Managers
- Appoint new distributors in Scandinavia, Central Europe and selected Southeast Asian markets
- Improve service levels and professional standards across the international distributor network
- Strengthen forecasting accuracy and commercial visibility to support manufacturing and engineering
Strategic Responsibilities
- Export P&L Ownership
Responsible for delivering international revenue and margin targets - Drive revenue growth, margin improvement, and commercial discipline
- Control export pricing strategy and distributor commercial terms (in alignment with the Managing Director)
- Specification-Led Global Strategy
Roll out Coopers Fires UK specification model internationally - Ensure distributors protect and convert UK-originated global specifications
- Develop in-country specification capability to prevent competitive substitution at detailed design stage
- Drive CPD-led architect engagement and passive fire education internationally
- Distributor Leadership & Performance Management
Recruit, appoint and, where necessary, replace distributors - Establish clear KPIs, performance expectations and behavioural standards
- Build closer, more professional relationships with distributor principals
- Ensure distributors operate with integrity and alignment to Coopers Fires standards
- Conduct regular in-market visits to strengthen relationships and accountability
- International Team Development
Lead UK-based Export Sales Managers - Recruit and manage overseas Specification Sales Managers in key territories
- Build a structured, process-driven export function
- Drive accountability, clarity and performance across the team
- Operational & Strategic Integration
Deliver structured export forecasting to support manufacturing planning - Feed market intelligence into engineering to influence product development
- Provide commercially grounded input into R&D investment decisions
- Contribute actively to broader company strategy as a member of the Senior Management Team
About You
Experience & Capability
- Significant experience in passive fire protection or construction product sales
- Proven success managing international distributor networks
- Strong understanding of specification-led selling (architects, consultants, major projects)
- Experience leading multi-territory sales teams
- Commercially astute
- Process-oriented and disciplined in forecasting and reporting
- Comfortable working closely with manufacturing and engineering functions
Personal Attributes
- Strategically aligned and able to execute an established playbook
- Collaborative and able to work closely with the Managing Director
- Commercially serious, personally grounded
- Energetic and motivated by growth challenges
- Prepared to challenge constructively, but not disruptively
- Enjoys building strong, long-term professional relationships
Travel
This role is UK Head Office based and requires regular international travel to support distributors, recruit partners, and develop in-market specification capability.
Why This Role Matters
This is a pivotal leadership role at Coopers Fire. The International Sales Director will directly influence revenue growth, global brand positioning, distributor professionalism, and long-term international expansion. The right individual will help establish a stronger, more disciplined, and more strategically aligned global presence for Coopers Fire.
International Sales Director in Waterlooville employer: Coopers Fire
Contact Detail:
Coopers Fire Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land International Sales Director in Waterlooville
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend industry events, trade shows, and local meetups to connect with potential employers and other professionals in the fire protection and construction sectors. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion! When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers or during interviews, make sure to express your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Share how your values align with Coopers Fire's mission to save lives through innovative solutions.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tough questions! Research common interview questions for sales director roles and practice your responses. Be ready to discuss your experience with managing international distributor networks and how you've driven revenue growth in the past.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We want to see your application come through our platform. It shows you're serious about joining the team and helps us keep track of all candidates effectively. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
We think you need these skills to ace International Sales Director in Waterlooville
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for fire protection and sales shine through. We want to see that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about making a difference in the industry.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your experience in international sales and distributor management. We love seeing how your background aligns with our needs, so don’t be shy about showcasing relevant achievements!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward communication, so avoid jargon and focus on what makes you the best fit for the International Sales Director role.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Coopers Fire!
How to prepare for a job interview at Coopers Fire
✨Know the Company Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into Coopers Fire's mission, values, and products. Understand their smoke and fire curtain systems and how they save lives. This knowledge will not only impress but also help you align your answers with their core values of Integrity, Pride, and Passion.
✨Showcase Your International Experience
As an International Sales Director, your experience in managing international distributor networks is crucial. Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully executed a specification-led sales model in different markets. Highlight your ability to build strong relationships and drive revenue growth across diverse territories.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
Coopers Fire is looking for someone who can execute their established strategy internationally. Be ready to discuss how you would implement their UK specification model globally. Share your thoughts on maintaining commercial discipline while adapting to local market needs, showcasing your strategic alignment with their goals.
✨Prepare Questions That Matter
At the end of the interview, have insightful questions ready that reflect your understanding of the role and the company. Ask about their current challenges in export revenue or how they envision the future of their international team. This shows your genuine interest and strategic mindset.