Business Development Manager at ADS Laser Cutting

ADS Laser Cutting is the premier metal laser cutting, folding, fabrication, finishing and assembly company in the UK. They are a family-run business with a passion for quality and a commitment to exceptional service. They work on a wide range of projects, from intricate designs to volume components, and their work is found in places like Siemens’ rail systems, London underground (TfL) trains, Lancôme Fragrances displays.

Their success is built on their team of highly skilled and valued employees. Their expertise and dedication translate into exceptional service and quality for their customers. Since their founding, ADS has grown tremendously year-on-year. This is thanks to their continued investment in the latest technology, machinery, infrastructure, and most importantly, their talented people. They now employ over 100 employees in their 87,000 square foot facility, ensuring they have the resources to deliver exceptional results on every project.

We are seeking a highly motivated Business Development Manager.

Role Profile

Drive significant and profitable business growth by developing new large accounts while managing a defined portfolio of existing customers. This role requires proactively driving new and existing business, developing strategic account plans, managing strong customer relationships, and executing the full sales cycle effectively. The Business Development Manager will contribute to the wider commercial strategy and support the company’s ambition to grow within the sheet metal fabrication, mechanical engineering, and associated sectors.

Benefits

• Competitive package for the right candidate
• Life assurance
• Above statutory holiday entitlement with additional service linked holiday
• 40 hour working week
• Onsite gym
• Pension scheme
• Commitment to investing in training and development
• Company provided workwear and PPE
• Onsite parking
• Staff canteen
• Employee Assistance Program

Key Responsibilities

• New Business Development & Sales
  • Identify, target, and acquire new large accounts in alignment with the company’s sales strategy.
  • Develop and execute customised strategies to engage challenging or reluctant clients, unlocking growth opportunities and driving long term relationships.
  • Maintain strong relationships with Tier 1 accounts; master essential BD skills including cold calling, appointment setting, face to face meetings, and negotiation.
  • Ensure zero overdue calls and maintain a proactive calling routine to manage the pipeline effectively.
  • Lead the full sales cycle: prospecting, solution presentation, tender/RFI response, negotiation, and deal closure.
  • Develop and execute annual account plans to support sales forecasts and growth objectives, providing updates to senior leadership.
  • Attend industry events, exhibitions, and conferences to monitor market trends, identify opportunities, and enhance company presence.
  • Collaborate with marketing to support lead generation and account based initiatives.
  • Liaise with internal sales executives to maximise follow up on large quotes and opportunities.
  • Work closely with the quotation and production teams to ensure proposals, presentations, and client deliverables are tailored, accurate, and submitted on time, meeting client expectations.
• Customer Account Management
  • Manage and grow a portfolio of existing business accounts, building long term, trust based relationships.
  • Act as the primary client contact, ensuring timely communication, issue resolution, and overall customer satisfaction.
  • Conduct regular client meetings to understand requirements, host and facilitate site meetings, secure repeat business, and identify upselling/cross-selling opportunities.
  • Liaise with production and internal teams to deliver accurate, technically sound solutions that meet client expectations.
  • Maintain up to date customer profiles and account plans in the CRM system (HubSpot).
• Reporting & Commercial Insight
  • Generate weekly and monthly sales reports, analysing performance against targets and identifying areas for improvement.
  • Monitor competitor activity, market trends, and emerging opportunities to inform strategic decisions.
  • Collaborate with senior management to refine sales strategies and drive growth initiatives.
  • Coordinate internal resources to ensure seamless project delivery and customer satisfaction.
  • Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by management.

Experience & Technical Skills

• Minimum 4 years’ experience in B2B Business Development or Sales, ideally within sheet metal, fabrication, mechanical engineering, or related sectors (Construction, Engineering, Rail, Automotive).
• Proven success in independently identifying, pursuing, and securing new business accounts.
• Strong understanding of sales processes for both new business and key account management.
• Experience working with medium to large corporate customers, including procurement, engineering, and quality procedures.
• Technical understanding of mechanical engineering processes (preferred: Laser Cutting, Fabrication, Finishing).
• Strong IT and CRM skills (HubSpot experience desirable).

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and influencing skills across all levels of an organisation.
• Ability to build rapport, trust, and long term relationships with customers and internal teams.
• Clear, concise communicator capable of delivering information effectively to customers and management.

Personal Attributes

• Highly self-motivated, proactive, and results-driven with strong problem-solving abilities.
• Able to work under own initiative within a dynamic, fast-paced, and growing business environment.
• Strong attention to detail with a commitment to accuracy and quality.
• Professional, courteous, and collaborative team player.
• Demonstrates integrity, honesty, and a positive approach to innovation and change.
• Ambition to develop a long-term career within a fast-growing engineering business.