Export Manager

Ready to take ownership of high-value international sales and help drive global growth?

We’re working with a well-established specialist engineering business to recruit an ambitious, commercially minded Export Manager.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a highly regarded business with a strong reputation for quality, reliability and customer service. With significant demand for its products and opportunities across international markets, the successful candidate will play a key role in developing customer relationships, winning new business and driving profitable growth.

This is a varied role combining existing account management, new business development and international sales.

You’ll manage high-value commercial opportunities, including complex tenders and projects worth £500,000 or more, developing relationships with customers across the UK and overseas.

The business operates in a specialist engineering environment, designing and manufacturing lifting and handling equipment for demanding industrial applications, alongside providing associated technical services.

Approximately 75% of the market is UK-based, with the remaining 25% international. Overseas opportunities include India, France, the Nordics and the Middle East, with scope to develop business in additional markets.

This is about building relationships, understanding technical requirements, managing lengthy sales cycles and converting significant opportunities into profitable business.

• Managing and developing existing customer accounts across UK and international markets.

• Identifying and securing new business opportunities within export markets.

• Managing high-value tenders, quotations and complex sales projects.

• Building long-term relationships with customers, agents, suppliers and international sales partners.

• Preparing commercial proposals and quotations in collaboration with technical and procurement teams.

• Negotiating commercial terms, agreements and contracts.

• Planning and undertaking customer visits across the UK and internationally.

• Identifying new export markets, potential agents and opportunities for growth.

• Attending international exhibitions, conferences and customer meetings.

• Maintaining accurate CRM records, sales forecasts and market intelligence.

• Working with engineering, production and service teams to ensure customer requirements are understood and projects are handed over effectively.

• Taking ownership of opportunities from initial enquiry through to commercial agreement and project handover.

• Three years plus experience in account management or sales, including at least one year in an export or international sales role.

• Experience managing customers across UK and international markets.

• A background in machinery, lifting equipment, heavy industry, engineering or bespoke technical products.

• Experience managing tenders, complex sales processes or longer sales cycles.

• Strong communication, negotiation and relationship-building skills.

• Excellent organisation and the ability to manage your own workload and priorities.

• A proactive, hands-on approach and the confidence to take ownership.

• The ability to remain calm under pressure, solve problems and respond positively to challenges.A technical mindset and the ability to understand engineered products would be advantageous, although an engineering qualification is not essential.

• £40,000 basic salary.

• Annual profit-share bonus, historically around £3,500.

• Hybrid working following an initial three-month office-based induction in Sheffield.

• A mix of home working, office time and customer visits.

• National and international travel, with overseas travel expected to average approximately one week per quarter, alongside UK customer visits.

• Pool car or public transport options for business travel.

• The opportunity to manage substantial commercial projects and develop international markets.

• A close-knit team environment where initiative is valued and your contribution genuinely matters.