Coopers Fire specialises in the design, manufacture, installation, and maintenance of advanced, bespoke Smoke and Fire Curtain systems for a wide range of buildings. Our purpose is clear: to save lives by delivering high-quality, innovative products and effective fire protection solutions.
We are committed to creating an environment where our colleagues can thrive, perform at their best, and take pride in their work. Our core values — Integrity, Pride and Passion, Teamship, and Pioneering — guide everything we do.
By supporting our people, embracing diverse perspectives, and continuously challenging convention, we work collaboratively to lead the market through innovation — always focused on safeguarding lives.
The Role
Coopers Fire is seeking a commercially strong, strategically aligned International Sales Director to reshape, rebuild and grow our export business.
Following a recent decline in export revenue, this role is central to delivering our next phase of international growth. The successful candidate will implement our proven UK specification-led sales model globally, strengthen distributor performance, and build a high-performing international team.
This is not a role for someone looking to reinvent the strategy. Our UK approach works. The opportunity is to execute it internationally with discipline, professionalism, and energy.
Key Objectives
* Rebuild export revenue toward and beyond historic levels
* Recruit two Export Specification Sales Managers
* Appoint new distributors in Scandinavia, Central Europe and selected Southeast Asian markets
* Improve service levels and professional standards across the international distributor network
* Strengthen forecasting accuracy and commercial visibility to support manufacturing and engineering
Strategic Responsibilities
Export P&L Ownership
* Responsible for delivering international revenue and margin targets
* Drive revenue growth, margin improvement, and commercial discipline
* Control export pricing strategy and distributor commercial terms (in alignment with the Managing Director)
Specification-Led Global Strategy
* Roll out Coopers Fire’s UK specification model internationally
* Ensure distributors protect and convert UK-originated global specifications
* Develop in-country specification capability to prevent competitive substitution at detailed design stage
* Drive CPD-led architect engagement and passive fire education internationally
Distributor Leadership & Performance Management
* Recruit, appoint and, where necessary, replace distributors
* Establish clear KPIs, performance expectations and behavioural standards
* Build closer, more professional relationships with distributor principals
* Ensure distributors operate with integrity and alignment to Coopers Fire’s standards
* Conduct regular in-market visits to strengthen relationships and accountability
International Team Development
* Lead UK-based Export Sales Managers
* Recruit and manage overseas Specification Sales Managers in key territories
* Build a structured, process-driven export function
* Drive accountability, clarity and performance across the team
Operational & Strategic Integration
* Deliver structured export forecasting to support manufacturing planning
* Feed market intelligence into engineering to influence product development
* Provide commercially grounded input into R&D investment decisions
* Contribute actively to broader company strategy as a member of the Senior Management Team
About You
Experience & Capability
* Significant experience in passive fire protection or construction product sales
* Proven success managing international distributor networks
* Strong understanding of specification-led selling (architects, consultants, major projects)
* Experience leading multi-territory sales teams
* Commercially astute
* Process-oriented and disciplined in forecasting and reporting
* Comfortable working closely with manufacturing and engineering functions
Personal Attributes
* Strategically aligned and able to execute an established playbook
* Collaborative and able to work closely with the Managing Director
* Commercially serious, personally grounded
* Energetic and motivated by growth challenges
* Prepared to challenge constructively, but not disruptively
* Enjoys building strong, long-term professional relationships
Travel
This role is UK Head Office based and requires regular international travel to support distributors, recruit partners, and develop in-market specification capability.
Why This Role Matters
This is a pivotal leadership role at Coopers Fire. The International Sales Director will directly influence revenue growth, global brand positioning, distributor professionalism, and long-term international expansion.
The right individual will help establish a stronger, more disciplined, and more strategically aligned global presence for Coopers Fire.
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