Head of Sales and Business Development

Sales & Business Development Leader – Poland / CEELocation: Poland | Work Model: Remote / Home-BasedMarket: Poland, with potential responsibility across Central & Eastern Europe About the CompanyOur client is a global innovator in high-performance polymer and flash-spun material technologies, providing advanced material solutions across industrial protection, healthcare, technical textiles, semiconductor, packaging, and sustainable applications.Driven by innovation and scalable manufacturing capabilities, the company delivers application-oriented B2B solutions to customers worldwide through industrial and distribution networks.As part of its continued global expansion, the company is strengthening its commercial presence in Europe and is looking for an entrepreneurial Sales & Business Development Leader to develop the Polish market and support broader CEE growth. The RoleWe are seeking an experienced sales and business development professional to drive the growth of the company's protective garments, PPE, and technical apparel solutions in Poland and potentially across Central & Eastern Europe.The role covers both high-performance branded materials used in protective garment manufacturing and finished protective clothing solutions.The successful candidate will combine strong industry knowledge with commercial expertise, helping customers identify the right solution based on performance, regulatory, application, cost, and supply chain requirements.This is a highly hands-on, entrepreneurial role. The successful candidate will be expected to develop new business, build customer relationships, expand distribution channels, support technical evaluations, and create sustainable revenue growth. Key Responsibilities1. Business DevelopmentDevelop and execute the sales and business development strategy for Poland and selected CEE markets.Identify and develop new opportunities with garment manufacturers, converters, distributors, PPE brands, and industrial end users.Build and expand the company's customer and partner network.Identify target accounts, applications, market segments, and new routes to market.Develop new business opportunities from lead generation through to commercial conversion.Increase the company's brand presence in protective apparel, disposable garments, PPE, and technical textiles.2. Portfolio SalesPromote and sell branded high-performance materials used in the production of protective garments.Develop sales of the company's finished protective clothing portfolio.Understand customer requirements and recommend the most appropriate solution based on performance, application, regulatory, cost, and supply chain considerations.Prepare commercial proposals, negotiate contracts, and manage the sales process through to closure.Build and maintain a strong sales pipeline and provide accurate sales forecasts.3. Technical & Application SupportAdvise customers on material selection and protective garment performance requirements.Support technical discussions regarding fabric performance, barrier properties, garment construction, and manufacturing processes.Work with customers on product trials, testing, qualification, and garment evaluations.Translate customer requirements into appropriate material and product solutions.Coordinate with internal technical and R&D teams to support customer projects.4. Market DevelopmentMonitor market trends, competitive activity, customer needs, and regulatory developments in Poland and CEE.Identify new applications and growth opportunities in protective clothing, disposable garments, PPE, and technical textiles.Develop market intelligence and provide insights to global product and development teams.Identify opportunities for new products, applications, partnerships, and distribution channels.Represent the company at relevant industry exhibitions, trade shows, and customer events.5. Customer & Channel ManagementBuild long-term relationships with garment manufacturers, distributors, PPE brands, procurement teams, and key industrial customers.Develop relationships at technical, procurement, commercial, and senior management levels.Conduct customer visits, product presentations, technical discussions, and commercial negotiations.Develop and manage strategic distributors and channel partners.Support customers throughout product evaluation, qualification, onboarding, and commercialization.6. Cross-Functional CollaborationWork closely with global sales, marketing, product development, R&D, technical, operations, and supply chain teams.Communicate customer requirements and market trends to global product and commercial teams.Coordinate customer projects and ensure effective follow-up from opportunity identification through commercialization.RequirementsIndustry ExperienceMinimum 5+ years of relevant sales or business development experience in one or more of the following:Protective garments / protective apparelDisposable apparelPPETechnical textilesNonwoven materialsHigh-performance materialsIndustrial safety productsProven experience working with garment manufacturers, converters, distributors, PPE brands, or industrial end users.Established network within the Polish PPE, workwear, protective apparel, textile, or industrial sectors is highly desirable.Good understanding of materials used in protective clothing, including nonwovens, laminates, technical fabrics, polymers, and barrier materials.Knowledge of protective clothing standards and performance requirements is strongly preferred.Experience selling finished protective garments or PPE products is an advantage.Commercial SkillsProven track record in B2B sales and business development, preferably within technical or engineered products.Strong new-business development / hunter mentality.Ability to identify opportunities, open new accounts, and develop business independently.Strong consultative and solution-selling capabilities.Excellent negotiation, presentation, and relationship-building skills.Comfortable engaging with technical, procurement, commercial, and senior management stakeholders.Strong business acumen and customer-oriented mindset.EducationTechnical or commercial degree preferred.Background in textiles, materials science, polymer engineering, chemical engineering, or a related technical discipline is an advantage.LanguagesPolish and English – fluent.German or another CEE language would be an advantage.Success ProfileWe are looking for a hands-on commercial entrepreneur who knows how to build business rather than simply manage an existing customer portfolio.The successful candidate will bring a strong network and understanding of the Polish protective apparel and technical textile market, while also having the energy and independence to identify new opportunities and turn them into commercial results.This person will be expected to:Take full ownership of the Polish market and commercial development.Develop new customers and applications from the ground up.Build relationships with manufacturers, distributors, PPE brands, and end users.Combine technical credibility with strong sales execution.Work independently while collaborating effectively with global teams.Travel regularly to customers and industry events across Poland and, where relevant, CEE.Identify opportunities beyond the existing portfolio and help shape the company's regional growth strategy.Why Join?Opportunity to play a key role in expanding a global technology company's presence in Poland and CEE.High level of autonomy and commercial ownership.Access to innovative high-performance polymer and advanced material technologies.Exposure to global customers, technical teams, and R&D organizations.Opportunity to develop both material and finished protective garment businesses.Remote working model with significant customer-facing responsibility.Strong opportunity for career development as the company's European business continues to expand.