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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive new business in the UK aerospace and defence sector while building strong customer relationships.
- Company: Join Biesterfeld, a global leader in distribution with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, performance bonuses, company car, and generous leave.
- Other info: High-activity role with excellent growth opportunities in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Own your territory and make a real impact in a dynamic industry.
- Qualifications: Proven field sales experience and a knack for building rapport with clients.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Biesterfeld is a global distribution group operating in over 70 countries. Our composites and tooling business unit is looking for an experienced field sales professional to own and develop the UK aerospace composites territory. This is a genuine new business development role. You will be building customer relationships, driving pipeline activity, and growing revenue across the UK aerospace and defence manufacturing base. There is real scope to own a territory, make it yours, and grow with it. Behind you sits a well-capitalised international group, EN9120-certified European logistics infrastructure, and distribution partnerships with leading global composite materials manufacturers. The commercial platform is established. The territory is yours to develop.
What You Will Be Doing
- Identify, approach, and convert target customers across the UK aerospace and defence manufacturing base.
- Build working relationships with procurement, production, and engineering contacts; be the person customers want to call.
- Maintain a structured pipeline and journey plan; record contacts, activities, and follow-up actions consistently using CRM tools.
- Monitor market activity and feed commercial intelligence back into the team.
- This is a high-activity field role. A full diary of UK customer visits is the norm — travel is a core part of the job, not an occasional requirement.
What You Will Bring
- Proven field sales or BDM experience — you have carried a field sales territory, built a pipeline, and won new business, with a track record of opening accounts, not just managing them.
- Technical or industrial sales background — a background in technical, materials, or industrial sales, comfortable selling into manufacturing environments and understanding how quality-driven customers buy.
- Natural rapport-builder — you are the person customers are glad to hear from and comfortable building rapport from a cold start.
- Organised and disciplined — accurate pipeline records, consistent follow-up, structured journey planning, without being chased.
- Autonomous and self-directed — you manage your own diary and sustain high activity without daily oversight.
Advantageous
- Experience working in a highly regulated industry is preferable; an understanding of quality-driven environments, approved vendor processes, and why qualification timescales matter.
- An existing network within UK aerospace or composites manufacturing.
- Working knowledge of composite materials—prepreg, film adhesives, or related consumables.
- Experience in a distribution or supply chain commercial environment.
- Degree or equivalent level preferred; relevant commercial experience is equally valued.
What We Offer
- Competitive base salary (please state expectations on application), performance bonus linked to gross profit growth and new account targets, company car, company pension contribution, 25 days' annual leave plus UK bank holidays, company phone and laptop, and full product training through Biesterfeld and our principal supplier.
Please note that applicants must have the right to work in the UK. We are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this role.
Business Development Manager - Aerospace & Defence in London employer: Biesterfeld Petroplas Ltd
Contact Detail:
Biesterfeld Petroplas Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Manager - Aerospace & Defence in London
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the industry inside out! Research the aerospace and defence sectors, understand the key players, and stay updated on market trends. This knowledge will help you engage in meaningful conversations with potential clients.
✨Tip Number 2
Networking is your best friend! Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors to opportunities that aren’t advertised.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive in reaching out! Don’t wait for job openings to appear; approach companies directly with a tailored pitch. Show them how you can add value to their business and why you’re the right fit.
✨Tip Number 4
Utilise our website to apply! We’ve got a streamlined application process that makes it easy for you to showcase your skills. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Biesterfeld.
We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Manager - Aerospace & Defence in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Business Development Manager in Aerospace & Defence. Highlight your field sales experience and any relevant technical background, so we can see how you fit into our team.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about this role and how your skills can help us grow our UK aerospace composites territory. Be genuine and let your personality come through.
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to build relationships and drive revenue. Numbers speak volumes, so if you've opened accounts or exceeded targets, make sure we know about it!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Biesterfeld Petroplas Ltd
✨Know Your Territory
Before the interview, dive deep into the UK aerospace and defence market. Understand key players, recent developments, and potential customers. This knowledge will not only impress but also show your genuine interest in owning and developing the territory.
✨Showcase Your Sales Success
Prepare specific examples of your past achievements in field sales or business development. Highlight how you built relationships, opened accounts, and drove revenue growth. Use metrics to quantify your success—numbers speak volumes!
✨Demonstrate Rapport-Building Skills
Since this role requires building strong customer relationships, be ready to discuss your approach to rapport-building. Share anecdotes that illustrate your ability to connect with clients, even from a cold start. This will show you’re the person they want to call.
✨Be Organised and Disciplined
Bring up your experience with CRM tools and structured journey planning. Discuss how you maintain accurate pipeline records and follow-up actions. This will reassure them that you can manage your own diary and sustain high activity without constant oversight.