Area Sales Manager

PORTWEST, a leading global manufacturer of safety products, workwear and PPE is currently seeking applications for the position of Area Sales Manager for the Quebec market, ideally based in the area of Montreal. Portwest is one of the fastest growing workwear companies in the world currently employing over 5,400 staff worldwide, with customer service staff in over 130+ countries and 8 Global warehouses in UK, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Spain, UAE, USA and Australia. We design, manufacture and distribute market leading workwear, safety wear and PPE in fully owned production facilities.

Acquired by Portwest in 2023, IFR Workwear are industry leaders in the design, manufacture, service and sales of premium quality flame and arc resistant workwear. We offer a wide range of protective workwear options to ensure the safety and comfort of our customers, including flame-resistant coveralls, bib pants, work shirts, cargo & duck pants, fleece jackets and hoods, vests, and hi-vis workwear. Additionally, we provide FR winterwear such as insulated parkas and bib pants, insulated vests and various FR headwear to meet the needs of various industries like oil and gas, petrochemical, mining, electrical, construction, and railroad. Most of our flame-resistant garments are made in North America and sold through distribution partners across Canada and parts of the USA.

Key Responsibilities

As the Area Sales Manager for the Quebec market, you will bring your PPE and/or workwear sales experience to sell IFR and Portwest products to distributors in the territory. You will open new and develop existing distribution channels in this fast-paced outside sales position. You should be able to work well alone and collaborate with the Regional Sales Manager to continue to build upon the company’s success in the region.

• Among your key responsibilities will include:
• Build quality business relationships with new and existing accounts
• Conduct daily face-to-face sales meetings to maintain and develop relationships with distributors, resellers and agents
• Identify existing customers with high growth potential and create a roadmap for their further development
• Identify new business opportunities and complete sales planning schedule
• Utilize strategies to win new business on a continuous and consistent basis
• Engage in consultative selling by identifying customers’ needs and provide a Portwest solution to meet those needs
• Develop clear and effective written proposals/quotations for current and prospective customers
• Focus on selling new Portwest products by bringing samples to each meeting
• Ensure effective after meeting follow up to close sales
• Conduct ongoing development of market intelligence, including marketing events such as trade shows, seminars, exhibitions and journals which is fed back to the business
• Promote distributor promotions on our products with end users

Skills & Qualifications

• To become the Area Sales Manager for the Quebec market you will need:
• 1-3 years PPE, workwear or safety wear sales experience
• Fluency in English and French.
• Experience selling on behalf of a manufacturer, distributor, reseller or agent is ideal
• Experience drafting and executing sales plans for aggressive expansion
• Appetite to continue sales growth of Portwest through field sales
• Ability to translate business initiatives into bottom line results
• Strong interpersonal and negotiating skills
• Positive attitude with a winning mentality
• Excellent team player
• Clean driving license and willingness to drive throughout your designated region

Company Awards

• Great Place To Work 2024
• Private Irish Business of the year – Export Industry Awards 2025
• Silver Ecovadis Sustainability Rating 2025

Applicants must have a right to live and work in the relevant jurisdiction.

Portwest is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, civil status, veteran status, family status, disability status or membership of a minority group.