International Sales Manager

ZIM Integrated Shipping Services

International Sales Manager expanding Seaspan Shipyards’ global shipbuilding sales pipeline. Qualifying complex government and commercial opportunities through customer engagement and international travel.

Posted 8/19/2026full-timeNorth Vancouver • 🇨🇦 CanadaSeniorLead💰 CA$112,500 - CA$137,500 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates extensive experience in international sales and business development within the shipbuilding and defense sectors, with a strong ability to identify and qualify complex opportunities. Proven track record in building relationships with diverse international customers and navigating government procurement processes.

Highest-signal resume keywords

International Sales ExperienceGovernment Procurement KnowledgeCustomer Relationship ManagementBusiness Development StrategyLeadership in Customer Engagement

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Sales Strategy DevelopmentOpportunity QualificationFunnel ManagementComplex Deal UnderstandingContract Value Analysis

Soft Skills

Exceptional Interpersonal SkillsInfluence and PersuasionOrganizational SkillsStrategic CommunicationAdaptability in Fluid Environments

Tools & Technologies

Core Office Software Tools

Certifications & Qualifications

Security Clearance through Canadian Controlled Goods Program

Industry Keywords

ShipbuildingDefenseAerospaceManufacturingConstructionGovernment MarketsInternational Customer EngagementTrade CommissionersDefense AttachesComplex Opportunities

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Explore international target markets for Seaspan Shipyards, primarily outside North America
Engage directly with customers to discover, identify, and qualify opportunities
Fill and grow Seaspan Shipyards’ international sales funnel
Work with the Seaspan BD team to define target markets and strategic opportunity criteria
Develop sales strategies, plans, and rolling travel plans for discovering new opportunities
Develop conference and event participation plans with support from the communications team
Understand customer procurement plans and match them with strategic opportunity criteria
Build initial customer relationships and understand opportunity characteristics, including budget, approval process, procurement process, requirements, and competition
Qualify opportunities with the Seaspan Shipyards BD team
Enter and manage new opportunities within Seaspan’s funnel management process
Support capture strategy development for qualified opportunities
Provide customer engagement and coordination support to capture teams
Help develop solutions that meet customer needs by understanding customer perspectives and requirements
Travel globally and participate in conferences and customer engagement events
Communicate with customers, partners, suppliers, and Seaspan teams

Requirements

What you’ll need

7+ years of professional industry experience in a sales or business development role in shipbuilding, or in a complex defence, aerospace, systems development, manufacturing, or construction industry
Proven track record of identifying and qualifying new business opportunities in government procurement markets strongly preferred
Experience with global sales and business development strongly preferred
Experience engaging with and building relationships with diverse international customers
Experience with government procurement strongly preferred
Experience leveraging Canadian government supporting functions such as trade commissioners, defence attaches, and CCC preferred
Experience travelling internationally and participating in conferences/events
University degree in a relevant area preferred
Experience finding and developing complex opportunities with contract values over $5M and ideally over $50M
Understanding of technical, programmatic, financial, and commercial aspects of complex deals
Experience forming and maintaining excellent customer relationships
Substantial leadership and independence in engaging customers
Multi-faceted leadership skills applicable to direct and influential leadership roles
Ability to work in a highly flexible and fluid environment while maintaining calm and rational thinking and reasoning
Ability to engage with and influence a wide range of customer types
Demonstrated ability to communicate with customers and respond to customer needs strategically and tactfully
Exceptional interpersonal skills and superior oral and written capabilities
Ability to build professional relationships with government and industry partners
Skilled at advocacy, influence, and persuasion
Knowledge of complex government markets
Strong knowledge and expertise with core office software tools
Self-starter with good organizational skills who can work independently and as part of a team
Must obtain and maintain security clearance through the Canadian Controlled Goods Program under the Controlled Goods Regulations and Defense Production Act

Benefits

Comp & perks

Full-time, permanent position with job stability
Annual bonus
Pension plan matching
Competitive salary
Extended health care, including paramedical services, massage therapy, speech therapy, mental health coverage, physiotherapy, and more
Dental care
Vision care
Life insurance
Medical leave coverage
Parental leave coverage
$500 personal spending account
Employee Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
Optional hybrid work schedule after 90 days of onsite work and onboarding
Employment equity, diversity, inclusive and accessible workplace
Recruitment accommodations