Business Development Director in Newport

ABOUT QI VAN SYSTEMS

Qi Van Systems is a market-leading specialist in the design, manufacture, and conversion of commercial vehicles, supplying complex, engineered solutions to some of the UK's largest fleet, leasing, and utility operators.

We're profitable, well-established, and entering our next phase of growth. We're now looking to appoint a high-calibre Business Development Director who can drive new business growth while developing into a broader commercial and operational leader within the organisation.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

To lead and deliver new business growth, working closely with engineering, design, and operations to ensure solutions are commercially sound, technically deliverable, and scalable.

This role suits someone who is strong at winning business and thinks like a business owner, understanding how decisions impact margin, capacity, engineering resource, and long-term value.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Commercial growth & strategy

• Lead all new business acquisition activity across fleet, leasing, and utility sectors
• Develop and execute new business and growth strategy aligned to company objectives
• Win and develop senior-level customer relationships, converting opportunities into long-term contracts and frameworks
• Own the new business sales pipeline, forecasting, and commercial performance reporting

Engineering & operational alignment

• Work closely with engineering, design, and operations teams to ensure solutions are deliverable, compliant, and profitable
• Contribute to solution design, pricing strategy, and cost-down initiatives
• Understand operational capacity, manufacturing constraints, and engineering resources when shaping proposals
• Feed market, customer, and competitor insights into product development and continuous improvement

Leadership & progression

• Act as a senior commercial voice within the business, influencing strategy and decision-making
• Support the development of sales processes, systems, and future team capability
• Develop into a broader leadership role over time, with increased responsibility across commercial and operational areas

Measures of success

• New business revenue and margin growth
• Quality, value, and conversion of the sales pipeline
• Strength and longevity of customer relationships
• Quality of collaboration with engineering and operations
• Contribution to overall business performance and scalability

THE PERSON WE\’RE LOOKING FOR

• Proven Business Development Director / Sales Director / Commercial Manager with strong new business credentials
• Experience in engineering-led, manufacturing, automotive, fleet, or industrial services environments
• Commercially astute with a strong understanding of how engineering and operations drive profitability
• Comfortable operating at senior customer, procurement, and board level
• Entrepreneurial mindset: ownership-oriented, commercially disciplined, and curious
• Hands-on, credible, and respected by both customers and technical teams
• Commutable to the West Midlands

QUALIFICATIONS & BACKGROUND

• Engineering, technical, or commercially focused qualifications strongly preferred
• Minimum ONC / HNC / Level 4 qualification
• Experience working closely with engineering, design, or manufacturing teams is essential

WHAT WE OFFER

• Competitive senior-level base salary
• Performance-linked bonus tied to growth and profitability
• Company car or car allowance
• Pension and benefits package
• Opportunity to help shape the future direction of a growing, engineering-led business

To apply: Please apply via LinkedIn for a confidential discussion