Job Title: Director of Sales & Business Development (Knitwear)
Location: United Kingdom
Position Type: Permanent
Hybrid Working on offer
The Opportunity
dSb Recruitment is delighted to be working exclusively with a highly respected international knitwear manufacturing and sourcing business to appoint a commercially driven Director of Sales & Business Development.
Our client has built a strong reputation for quality, innovation, and long-term retail partnerships and is now seeking an experienced commercial leader to drive growth across the UK and European markets.
This is a senior leadership opportunity for an individual with deep expertise in knitwear and apparel, an established network across UK and European retail & brand channels, and a proven track record of delivering sustainable revenue growth through strategic account acquisition and development.
The role is offered on a hybrid basis. The company operates from several offices across the UK; however, the successful candidate must be able to work from the London office when required for meetings, collaboration, and key business activities.
The Role
Reporting to the executive leadership team, the Director of Sales & Business Development will lead the company’s growth strategy across Europe, focusing on expanding the customer portfolio and strengthening its presence across key retail and fashion markets.
The business currently supplies customers across the UK and Europe, including Sweden, the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Norway, and has established relationships with a number of leading retailers and brands throughout the region. Key UK customers include Primark, Lands’ End, White Stuff, River Island, Barbour, AllSaints with a wish to also add supermarkets to their portfolio.
A key priority will be driving new business development within knitwear, particularly sweaters, targeting major retailers and brands across strategic European markets.
The successful candidate will build a strong pipeline of opportunities, secure strategic accounts, and help replicate the success the business has achieved with major customers in the US market.
The role is supported by dedicated product development teams, offering innovative solutions across cashmere, performance and wellness knitwear, alongside licensed-brand programmes that create compelling opportunities for customers.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and execute the European sales and business development strategy.
- Identify, pursue, and secure new business opportunities within knitwear and apparel.
- Build and maintain relationships with retailers, brands, buying offices, and sourcing organisations.
- Develop targeted account plans for priority customers across key European markets.
- Lead commercial negotiations and contract discussions.
- Collaborate with product development, merchandising, sourcing, and operational teams to deliver customer-focused solutions.
- Identify white-space opportunities and introduce innovative product concepts, including cashmere, performance knitwear, wellness collections, and licensed-brand programmes.
- Monitor market trends and competitor activity to support growth initiatives.
- Represent the business at industry events and trade shows across Europe.
- Track and report on pipeline activity, revenue growth, and business development performance.
Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate will possess:
- 10+ years’ commercial leadership experience within knitwear, apparel, textiles, or a related sector.
- A proven track record of winning new business and delivering revenue growth across international markets.
- Strong knowledge of UK & European retail, fashion, and sourcing landscapes.
- Extensive understanding of knitwear manufacturing, product development, sourcing, and supply chain operations.
- An established network across retailers, brands, buying offices, and sourcing organisations throughout UK & Europe.
- Excellent relationship-building, negotiation, and communication skills.
- A strategic mindset combined with a hands-on approach to business development.
- Strong commercial acumen and the ability to identify and convert growth opportunities.
Preferred Experience
- Multi-market UK & European business development experience.
- Experience developing strategic partnerships or channel programmes.
- Fluency in one or more European languages.
- Broader apparel, fashion, or textile category experience.
Why Apply?
This is an exceptional opportunity to join a highly regarded international business at an exciting stage of growth. The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping the company’s European expansion strategy while benefiting from a strong operational platform, innovative product capabilities, and the support of an experienced global team.
We can only consider candidates with a strong knitwear background
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