We are hiring!

About us

James Hare is a well-established (1865), family-run company based in Leeds city centre and is Britain’s leading silk specialist. It is still owned and run by the Hare family, producing luxury textiles for the demanding world of fashion and interiors. Firm favourites with leading designers and decorators, James Hare luxurious fabrics are famous worldwide.

International business development manager

Full time

Leeds City Centre

Department: Sales

Reports to: Head of Sales

Role Overview:

We are seeking a highly motivated and commercially driven International Business Development Manager to join our Sales team. This role is heavily focused on proactive outbound selling over the phone, with responsibility for driving sales across Europe and Rest of World (ROW) markets.

The successful candidate will manage and grow existing customer accounts, oversee Agents and Distributors, and actively seek new business opportunities in both established and emerging markets. This is a hands-on sales role requiring consistent customer contact, strong relationship management, and a target-driven mindset.

Key Responsibilities:

Sales & Business Development

• Proactively sell the company’s products over the phone on a daily basis
• Drive sales growth across Europe and ROW markets
• Identify and develop new business opportunities in new and existing markets
• Recruit new customers and convert prospects into long-term accounts
• Consistently meet and exceed agreed sales targets

Account Management

• Manage and grow customer accounts primarily via phone and digital communication
• Build strong, long-term relationships with customers, Agents, and Distributors
• Deliver regular sales reviews, performance updates, and forecasts
• Ensure excellent customer service and follow-up throughout the sales process

Agent & Distributor Management

• Manage and support a network of Agents and Distributors
• Deliver product and sales training to Agents and Distributors
• Support Agents and Distributors in selling the brand and product effectively
• Set, monitor, and review targets for Agents and Distributors

Reporting & CRM

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records within the CRM system (Freshsales)
• Track activity, pipeline, opportunities, and sales performance

Travel

• Travel may be required to support Agents, Distributors, and customers, and to develop new markets

Skills & Experience:

Essential

• Proven experience in proactive, outbound telephone sales
• Strong commercial and negotiation skills
• Experience managing international customers, Agents, or Distributors
• Confident communicator with a persuasive and professional phone manner
• Highly organised with strong time-management skills
• Target-driven with a proactive, resilient approach to sales
• Experience working with CRM systems (Freshsales or similar)
• Must be able to drive

Desirable

• Experience selling into European and international markets
• Experience delivering training or presentations

Personal Attributes

• Self-motivated and results-focused
• Comfortable spending the majority of the day on proactive sales calls
• Confident, resilient, and persistent
• Strong relationship builder
• Commercially aware and opportunity-led

Benefits

• Holiday allowance of 25 days plus bank holidays (increases in line with service)
• Summer hours offered between 1st June and 31st August.
• City centre location within walking distance from shops, cinemas, and restaurants.
• Railway station within 5 minutes walking distance.
• Complimentary gym passes.
• Discount at local coffee shop.
• Staff product discount.

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Work Location: In person