Head of Marine Sales & Strategy
Location: Poole / Southampton Area (Hybrid)
Salary: Market-leading package commensurate with experience
Contract: Permanent - Full Time
Company Overview
English Braids Ltd is a privately owned British manufacturer with over 55 years of engineering excellence. Since 1968 we have designed and manufactured high-performance ropes, cords, and braids from our production facility in Worcestershire.
Today we supply customers throughout the UK and worldwide across Leisure Marine, Commercial Marine, Height Safety, Industrial, Defence, OEM and Technical markets. Our reputation has been built on quality, innovation, technical expertise, and long-term customer relationships.
As we continue to invest in the future of our Marine business, we are looking for an exceptional commercial leader to take ownership of one of our most important market sectors.
The Opportunity
This is far more than a sales role, we are looking for someone who lives and breathes the marine industry; someone with a genuine passion for sailing, technical rope systems and product innovation who wants to influence the future direction of a respected British manufacturer.
Reporting directly to the Sales Director and working closely with the Board, you will take full commercial responsibility for the Marine Division.
You will lead a small specialist team responsible for sales, customer service and marketing activity while developing the commercial strategy for continued growth across the UK and international marine markets.
Working alongside our technical and manufacturing teams, you will help shape future product development, identify emerging market opportunities, and ensure our Marine product range continues to meet the demands of modern sailing, cruising, racing, superyacht, and commercial marine customers.
Although based within the Poole / Southampton marine hub, regular travel throughout the UK, Europe and internationally will be required together with visits to our Worcestershire manufacturing facility approximately two to three times per month.
Key Responsibilities
- Developing and executing the long-term commercial strategy for the Marine Division.
- Leading, coaching, and developing a small Marine sales, customer service, and marketing team.
- Growing revenue across UK and international leisure and commercial marine markets.
- Personally, managing key distributors, OEM customers, and strategic accounts.
- Developing new business opportunities across cruising, racing, dinghy, mooring, superyacht, defence marine and specialist rope applications.
- Building strong relationships throughout the sailing and marine industry.
- Working closely with Marketing to develop campaigns, exhibitions, digital activity, and brand awareness aligned to commercial objectives.
- Ensuring inbound marketing enquiries are converted into profitable business through structured sales processes.
- Identifying future market trends and customer requirements to influence product development and innovation.
- Gathering competitive intelligence and communicating market opportunities to senior management.
- Developing structured account plans, sales forecasts, and export strategies.
- Maintaining excellent CRM discipline and sales pipeline management.
- Reporting commercial performance, forecasts, and market intelligence to the Board.
- Representing English Braids at UK and international exhibitions, regattas, and industry events.
What We're Looking For
We are looking for an experienced commercial leader who combines technical understanding with genuine enthusiasm for the marine industry.
Ideally you will have:
- Significant experience within the marine industry.
- A genuine passion for sailing and marine rope systems.
- Proven experience selling technical marine products through distributors, OEMs, or direct customers.
- Experience of rope, cordage, fibres, rigging or associated marine equipment would be highly advantageous.
- Strong understanding of leisure marine markets including cruising, racing, superyacht, dinghy, mooring, and commercial marine sectors.
- Experience developing international and export business.
- Previous responsibility for leading and developing a commercial team.
- Strong sales, marketing, and business development capabilities.
- Experience influencing product development through customer and market feedback.
- Commercially astute with excellent analytical and planning skills.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
- CRM experience together with strong Microsoft Office skills.
- The ability to understand and communicate technical product information is important.
- A full UK driving licence.
- Willingness to travel regularly throughout the UK and overseas.
A qualification within Marine Engineering, Business, Engineering, or a related discipline would be advantageous but is not essential.
Why Join English Braids?
This is a genuine leadership opportunity to shape the future of a globally respected British manufacturing business.
You will become the driving force behind our Marine Division, influencing commercial strategy, marketing direction, product development, and customer relationships whilst leading a dedicated specialist team.
This role offers genuine autonomy, visibility within the senior leadership team and the opportunity to make a lasting impact on one of the UK's leading technical rope manufacturers.
What We Offer
- Offered salary will be negotiable and subject to experience*
- Performance-related bonus.
- Company car or car allowance.
- Pension scheme.
- Laptop and mobile phone.
- 29 days holiday including bank holidays, increasing with service.
- Hybrid working.
- International travel.
- Opportunity to become a key member of the Senior Leadership Team.
- Long-term career progression within an established British manufacturer.
* Salary band indication - Indeed.
Working Hours
Monday to Friday, 8:30am – 5:30pm.
The role is home-based within the Poole / Southampton area with regular travel to customers and approximately two to three visits per month to our manufacturing facility in Malvern, Worcestershire.
International travel, overnight stays and attendance at exhibitions and industry events will form part of the role.
To Apply
If you are excited by the opportunity to lead one of the UK's best-known technical rope manufacturers within the marine sector, please submit your CV.
Applicants must have the permanent right to work in the UK.
Due to the anticipated volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you have not heard from us within 10 working days, please assume your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.
Pay: £48,658.05-£52,943.60 per year
Benefits:
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Southampton SO15 1QF
