International Sales Manager

Higher is a boutique recruitment agency. We are excited to be working on a fantastic opportunity for one of our clients:

Position: International Sales Manager
Salary: £60,000 + £10k bonus + EV + Final Salary Pension
Location: Blackpool (1 day WFH)

A job for someone wanting career progression

If you’re an experienced international sales leader looking for a role with real scope, proper leadership responsibility, and long-term progression — this is well worth a look.

You’ll be joining a UK manufacturer with a global presence and a reputation for doing things the right way. This isn’t a transactional sales gig. It’s about strategic growth, expanding into new regions, and building a high-performing international team that can take the business to the next level.

The Role

You’ll lead international growth through indirect sales — working with and developing a network of distributors across Europe (excluding Western Europe), South America, Asia, and other global territories (excluding the US, which is managed separately).

You’ll lead a small but capable export team, helping them develop into stronger commercial performers, and you’ll spend regular time overseas nurturing relationships, identifying untapped opportunities, and figuring out how to get their highly respected product range into new markets.

This is a commercially focused leadership role — not firefighting, not admin. It’s about understanding how to crack new markets, scale up underperforming regions, and build a future-proofed distribution model.

What Makes It Stand Out

• There’s a lot of runway here. You’re not just filling a gap — you’re stepping into a role with built-in development for the long-term and a clear plan to Directorship through growth within the wider Group.

• This is a business with heritage — stable, profitable, and deeply committed to both product innovation and people.

• They’re investing in the future: working towards Net Zero by 2035, building out sustainable supply chains, and reinvesting profits into infrastructure and staff wellbeing.

• The package reflects that too — a final salary pension (incredibly rare now), EV company car available, private healthcare, gym and canteen on-site, and a generous bonus structure.

• Flexibility has been built in. While it’s a mostly office-based role, there’s scope for 1 day a week remote working.

What They’re Looking For

• You’ve managed international distributor networks before and understand the nuance of selling capital goods or manufactured products into overseas markets.

• You’re used to developing new regions — not just maintaining existing ones.

• You’ve led people and got the best out of small teams.

• You’re entrepreneurial, culturally aware, and can balance relationship building with commercial delivery.

• You’re comfortable with international travel — you’ll be out meeting distributors and developing markets regularly.

Why Now?

The current postholder is retiring, and the business is looking for someone who can take the baton and run with it — not just to keep things steady, but to accelerate and evolve their international strategy. It’s a pivotal role at a pivotal time, with meaningful long-term scope for the right individual.