At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive sales and build relationships in the textile industry across the UK and Ireland.
- Company: Specialist provider of innovative textile solutions with a focus on growth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus potential, private healthcare, and generous holiday allowance.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a real impact in the textile sector.
- Qualifications: Experience in textiles and proven sales skills are essential.
- Other info: Remote role with travel opportunities and ongoing training provided.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Location: Remote, ideally live around Manchester, Leeds, Derby, Leicester, Yorkshire, Burnley.
Reporting to: BD Textiles - Sales Director.
My client is a specialist provider of textile solutions, looking to appoint an experienced Business Development Manager to grow and support sales across the UK and Irish textile industries. This is a key, customer-facing role combining technical understanding of textile applications with strong commercial acumen and relationship-building skills.
You will manage the full sales cycle - from lead generation and qualification, through solution development, pricing and negotiation, to contract completion and ongoing account management.
Key responsibilities:
- Maintain and expand product sales across the UK and Irish textile sectors in line with agreed targets.
- Generate and qualify leads through trade fairs, conferences, direct referrals and customer visits, working alongside inside sales.
- Take ownership of customer interactions and manage the sales process end-to-end to ensure a seamless customer experience.
- Prepare and submit tailored proposals based on validated customer needs, working closely with internal technical/application specialists.
- Define customer pricing within agreed strategic pricing frameworks, in liaison with the Customer Service Manager and BD Textiles - Sales Director.
- Lead commercial negotiations and finalise contracts with local customers.
- Ensure high levels of customer retention and satisfaction through proactive follow-up and development of long-term relationships.
- Maintain accurate customer data and activity records in the CRM system and provide local sales forecasts as required.
- Build and maintain strong application knowledge of my client's products, services and textile applications.
- Take responsibility for achieving agreed margin and sales goals.
- Travel within the UK & Ireland, along M62 and Midlands.
About you:
Essential:
- Current and relevant experience in the textile industry (e.g. dyes, finishes, textile processing, or related fields).
- Proven track record in sales, business development or technical sales within textiles.
- Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel throughout the UK, Ireland and occasionally overseas for business, training and development.
- Strong communication, influencing and negotiation skills, with the ability to build credibility at all levels.
- Highly organised, able to plan and structure your working week and work independently.
- Professional, self-motivated and able to give balanced, well-reasoned advice to customers and colleagues.
- Basic DBS check (or willingness to undergo one).
Desirable:
- BSc (Hons) in Textile Studies or equivalent.
- MSc in Textile Technology or equivalent.
- Professional qualifications such as ASDC or C-Col (Society of Dyers and Colourists) or similar.
Training, compliance and standards:
Ongoing training in product and sales knowledge and company Health & Safety regulations will be provided. Familiarity with quality and environmental management systems (e.g. ISO 9001, ISO 50001, ISO 14001, Health & Safety at Work) is beneficial. You must follow company policies on confidentiality and security of company and customer information, products, equipment and premises.
Salary based on experience: £50 - £65k
Bonus: up to 15% of salary
Private Health Care: currently AXA
Holidays: 29 including Bank Holidays (increases on an annual basis)
Company Car or equivalent
Death in Service
Business Development Manager - Textile Solutions employer: HR GO Recruitment
Contact Detail:
HR GO Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Manager - Textile Solutions
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend trade fairs and conferences related to textiles. It's a great way to meet potential clients and industry peers, plus you can showcase your knowledge and passion for textile solutions.
✨Tip Number 2
Don’t just wait for leads to come to you. Be proactive! Reach out to your existing contacts and ask for referrals. A personal touch can go a long way in building those all-important relationships.
✨Tip Number 3
When you're in front of a client, listen more than you talk. Understanding their needs is key to tailoring your proposals. Show them that you’re not just selling a product, but providing a solution that fits their specific requirements.
✨Tip Number 4
Keep your CRM up to date! Accurate records help you track interactions and follow-ups, ensuring no lead falls through the cracks. Plus, it makes forecasting sales much easier. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance!
We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Manager - Textile Solutions
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the textile industry experience we’re looking for. Highlight your sales achievements and any technical knowledge you have about textile applications. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about textile solutions and how your skills align with the role. Be sure to mention specific experiences that demonstrate your relationship-building abilities.
Showcase Your Sales Skills: In your application, don’t just list your responsibilities; show us your successes! Include metrics or examples of how you've driven sales growth in previous roles. We love numbers that tell a story!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at HR GO Recruitment
✨Know Your Textiles
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of textile applications and the latest trends in the industry. Being able to discuss specific products and their benefits will show that you're not just a sales person, but someone who truly understands the market.
✨Master the Sales Cycle
Familiarise yourself with the full sales cycle, from lead generation to contract completion. Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully managed this process in the past, highlighting your ability to build relationships and close deals.
✨Tailor Your Proposals
Prepare to discuss how you would create tailored proposals based on customer needs. Think about how you can leverage your technical knowledge to provide solutions that meet those needs, and be ready to give examples from your previous experience.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Strong communication is key in this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently, and be prepared to demonstrate your influencing and negotiation skills through role-play scenarios or past experiences during the interview.