Technical Business Development Manager

We have been retained by a highly established UK textile manufacturing business to recruit a technically focused Business Development Manager to support the next phase of growth within its technical textiles division.

Have you got the right qualifications and skills for this job Find out below, and hit apply to be considered.
Based in the Midlands, this hybrid role requires at least one day per week onsite and offers a unique opportunity to combine commercial business development with product innovation and technical solution development.
Joining a well-established, privately owned manufacturer with over 70 years of textile expertise, you will play a key role in expanding the company's presence within the military, defence and other high-performance textile markets. This is not a traditional sales role; you will work closely with customers, engineers, technical specialists and manufacturing teams to develop bespoke textile solutions that address complex operational requirements.
This position offers significant influence over both commercial strategy and future product development, making it an excellent opportunity for an ambitious individual looking to shape the direction of a growing technical textiles business.
What You'll Get £50,000 - £60,000 (negotiable depending on experience)
Performance-based bonus
Company car or car allowance
25 days holiday plus bank holidays
Company pension scheme
Laptop and mobile phone
Hybrid working following probation
Clear progression pathway towards senior leadership and director-level positions
About You Proven experience developing business within the technical textiles sector, ideally across defence, military, protective equipment, industrial or performance fabric markets
Strong technical aptitude with the ability to understand materials, manufacturing processes and product performance requirements
Experience supporting or leading product development initiatives, translating customer challenges into commercially viable textile solutions
Comfortable working alongside technical, engineering and manufacturing teams throughout the product development lifecycle
Commercially astute with a consultative approach to business development
An innovative problem-solver who can identify emerging market requirements and influence future product strategy
Self-motivated, resilient and capable of operating effectively within an SME environment
Able to engage confidently with both procurement and technical stakeholders
About the Role Drive new business growth across the military, defence and wider technical textile sectors
Identify emerging market opportunities, customer requirements and routes to market across the UK and Europe
Work closely with customers to understand operational and technical challenges, developing tailored textile solutions to meet specific performance criteria
Collaborate with technical and manufacturing teams to support the design, development and commercialisation of new products
Contribute to product roadmap planning, innovation projects and future investment decisions
Evaluate new material technologies, applications and market trends to xwzovoh ensure the business remains at the forefront of technical textile development
Manage opportunities from concept stage through development, qualification, commercial agreement and ongoing supply
Build long-term strategic relationships with key customers, industry partners and stakeholders
Travel throughout the UK and Europe as required
About the Company Over 70 years of UK textile manufacturing expertise
Fully integrated manufacturing operation with extensive in-house technical capabilities
Strong reputation for developing high-performance fabrics and specialist textile solutions
Significant investment in growth markets including defence, military, PPE, medical and advanced industrial applications
Committed to innovation, product development and long-term sustainable growth
If you're looking for a role where you can combine technical expertise, product innovation and commercial growth within a respected UK manufacturer, we'd like to hear from you. Get in touch for a confidential discussion.