The International Business Development Lead plays a critical role in driving District Eight’s international sales growth.
Key Responsibilities
Global Sales Strategy & Planning:
Set quarterly KPIs and reporting mechanisms in collaboration with the Commercial Director.
Build and maintain a comprehensive sales funnel — from lead generation to account conversion.
Define regional priorities (Europe, North America, APAC, Middle East) and identify key growth opportunities by channel.
Develop and implement the international business development strategy aligned with commercial targets and brand direction.
Lead Generation & Pipeline Development
Source, build, and maintain a qualified database of potential trade partners, distributors, and design studios.
Manage and track all prospects in the CRM system (Salesforce or equivalent).
Partner with marketing to align lead generation activities with brand campaigns, trade fairs, and digital activations.
Conduct targeted outreach (email campaigns, cold calls, social engagement, LinkedIn prospecting) to generate new business leads.
Client Acquisition & Relationship Building
Manage the onboarding of new accounts and ensure a smooth handover to the Account & Sales Operations team for servicing.
Build a professional network of designers, retailers, and distributors that supports long- term brand positioning.
Initiate contact, pitch the District Eight brand, and negotiate trade terms with potential partners.
Represent the brand in client meetings, tradeshows, and virtual presentations.
Market Development & Insights
Identify gaps and new opportunities for District Eight’s collections in key international markets.
Provide strategic recommendations on product positioning, pricing, and sales channels based on market insights.
Research market trends, competitor activity, and distribution models across regions.
Cross- Functional Collaboration
Coordinate with the Account & Sales Operations team to ensure accurate client follow- up and CRM data.
Work closely with Brand, Marketing, and Product teams to ensure alignment between brand storytelling and sales messaging.
Contribute to the planning and execution of international tradeshows and client events.
Reporting & Performance Tracking
Evaluate ROI of outreach campaigns and continuously refine sales tactics.
Maintain clear and updated sales funnel metrics — leads generated, conversions, and revenue forecasts.
Report weekly and monthly performance to the Commercial Director.
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, International Trade, or a related field.
Existing network of trade contacts (dealers, distributors, designers, or architects) preferred.
Strong understanding of B2B sales processes, pricing models, and trade partnership structures.
5–6 years of experience in international business development or sales within furniture, design, interiors, or related industries.
Experience with CRM tools and lead research platforms (LinkedIn Sales Navigator, Apollo, etc.).
Proven ability to generate and convert leads across multiple regions.
Excellent written and spoken English; additional European language(s) a plus.
Key Attributes:
Hunter mindset: Constantly seeks new opportunities and ways to penetrate new markets.
Farmer instinct: Nurtures and grows long- term relationships with clients.
Strategic thinker: Understands how to structure sales pipelines that convert.
Self- driven: Works independently, thrives in an entrepreneurial environment.
Communicator: Clear, persuasive, and confident in outreach and negotiations.
