Business Development Manager

We are at the forefront of innovation and development in the military engineering sector with active markets in North and South America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, the Indo-Pacific and Oceania. Our new team member will work collaboratively with our colleagues in our engineering, projects and commercial teams, whilst also contributing to Business Development team efforts to assess our markets, understand competitors and support product development. We debate, share and adapt quickly to market forces, bringing knowledge from different parts of the business together to deliver exceptional solutions for our customers.

Dynamic and with strong presentation skills, as well as experience or significant interest in military matters, the successful candidate will join us in our work to help Armed Forces to defend, move and fight.

View the Business Development Manager – Job Description

Key Responsibilities

Reports to the BD Director and will be involved in:

• Managing new & existing opportunities to optimise financial and product placement objectives while delighting potential customers
• Opportunity & order intake pipeline management
• Pursuing sales opportunities to successful closure
• Creating and executing nominated Campaign Plans in partnership with other functions
• Meeting sales & order intake targets
• Working alongside Business Support Manager to ensure RFQs accurately reflect the customer’s requirements
• Proposal input; including liaison with Commercial Function relating to costing models and contract details
• Customer relationship management to ensure the satisfaction of the client from initial contact through to delivery of order
• Conducting Market & Competitor Analysis
• Attending major defence and security conferences and exhibitions (internationally) representing the Company’s products, capabilities, and reputation in line with the Vision
• Other related duties as assigned.

Skills and Experience

• The Business Development Manager will have gained a broad level of experience in business development, project management, campaign planning, bid management and sales activity within an Engineering / Manufacturing business operating on a global scale.
• Ideally, you have a proven track record with significant experience. Entry to this role could be gained through project management or other technical/commercial routes, expanding your career into business development.
• Experience in the defence sector is highly desirable. Exposure to military sales and business development is a definite asset.
• An Engineering or Technical degree is an asset but not essential. The ability to work with and understand technical specifications in order to speak confidently to customers and to project and engineering team members is essential.
• Our ideal candidate is an experienced professional with knowledge of sales / business development best practices.
• A sound business acumen is essential, and an understanding of commercial principles is required.
• We expect the applicant to perform exceptionally well in a team environment and to demonstrate outstanding people skills.
• Must also be able to operate day-to-day with little direct supervision and to make timely, rational decisions when necessary.
• Experience of working with CRM systems and a proficiency in working with Excel spreadsheets and Access databases is desirable.

Personal attributes and other requirements

• As a defence contractor, we have a number of security obligations placed upon the Company, which means that all our staff must be able to successfully achieve the relevant security clearances.
• Hold a valid UK driving license.
• You will be expected to support in-house training programmes, as required.

Working conditions

• Primarily office based (in Newcastle upon Tyne) but with a travel requirement of approximately 50%-60% to external customers (often overseas), exhibitions and conferences.

We offer a competitive benefits package:-

• Competitive base salary
• Discretionary bonus
• 25 days holiday + public bank holidays
• Defined contribution pension
• Private medical insurance
• Life Insurance
• Permanent health insurance
• Employee assistance programme
• Free lunch!
• Free parking
• Training & development