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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead sales strategy in aerospace and defence, driving growth and building key partnerships.
- Company: Join a leading player in the aerospace and defence manufacturing sector.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development opportunities, and a dynamic work environment.
- Why this job: Make an impact in a high-stakes industry while leveraging your expertise.
- Qualifications: Senior sales experience in aerospace and defence with strong industry connections.
- Other info: Opportunity to shape the future of industrial automation in a regulated environment.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
This is a development-led sales role suited to an individual with deep experience across the aerospace and defence manufacturing ecosystem. The successful candidate will bring strong market knowledge, established relationships within Prime Contractors and their supply chains, and the credibility required to position industrial automation solutions into complex, regulated production environments.
Key Responsibilities
- Define and execute the commercial strategy for the Aerospace & Defence Manufacturing vertical, from initial market entry through to scale.
- Develop a structured business plan covering revenue targets, pipeline creation, key accounts, and growth milestones across Primes and Tier suppliers.
- Identify and prioritise opportunities within defence manufacturing programmes, platform supply chains, and long term production contracts.
- Monitor market trends, customer investment plans, and competitor activity within defence manufacturing to inform strategy.
- Lead all new business development activity across Defence Primes, Tier 1, Tier 2, and specialist manufacturing partners.
- Build and manage a strong pipeline of complex, long cycle opportunities, including framework agreements and multi year programmes.
- Engage with senior stakeholders across engineering, manufacturing, procurement, supply chain, and programme management functions.
- Drive high value commercial negotiations and support contract closure in line with governance and compliance requirements.
- Support marketing activity by shaping sector messaging, value propositions, and positioning relevant to defence manufacturing customers.
- Provide structured feedback from customers and programmes into product strategy, supplier engagement, and solution development.
- Build long term, trusted partnerships with key strategic accounts within the defence manufacturing supply chain.
- Ensure a high standard of customer engagement, account development, and delivery alignment.
- Maintain awareness of aerospace and defence sector requirements, including quality standards, export controls, and regulated supply chain obligations.
- Support bid governance, risk review, and internal approval processes for complex defence-related opportunities.
- Own and report sales performance, forecasts, and KPIs for the Aerospace & Defence Manufacturing vertical.
- Provide regular updates to senior leadership on progress, risks, and market opportunities.
Essential Experience & Skills
- Significant senior sales or commercial leadership experience within Aerospace and Defence Manufacturing.
- Proven experience working with Defence Prime Contractors and Tier 1 or Tier 2 suppliers.
- Background in industrial automation, engineering, electrical, electronic, or technically engineered solutions.
- Demonstrated success selling into complex, regulated manufacturing environments.
- Strong understanding of defence manufacturing procurement cycles, long term programmes, and supplier qualification processes.
- Established network of industry contacts across defence manufacturing and supply chain organisations.
- Ability to operate strategically while remaining hands-on and commercially driven.
- Experience negotiating and closing high value, technically complex contracts.
- Track record of launching or scaling a new sector, vertical, or business unit.
- Working knowledge of defence sector compliance, quality standards, and export control considerations.
- Experience interacting with MoD-related programmes through supply chain engagement, rather than direct government sales.
- Formal business qualification such as MBA or equivalent is desirable.
Vertical Sales Manager in Cambridge employer: Primaire Consulting Ltd
Contact Detail:
Primaire Consulting Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Vertical Sales Manager in Cambridge
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with folks in the aerospace and defence sector. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to people on LinkedIn. Building those relationships can open doors that you didn’t even know existed.
✨Tip Number 2
Be prepared for interviews by doing your homework. Research the company’s recent projects, their competitors, and any news related to the defence manufacturing sector. This will not only help you answer questions but also show that you’re genuinely interested in the role and the industry.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your achievements! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, highlight your past successes in sales and business development. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to drive revenue and build strong partnerships within the defence supply chain.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for talented individuals like you. Plus, applying directly can sometimes give you an edge over other candidates. So, what are you waiting for? Get your application in!
We think you need these skills to ace Vertical Sales Manager in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Vertical Sales Manager role. Highlight your experience in aerospace and defence manufacturing, and don’t forget to showcase those established relationships with Prime Contractors. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your success in complex, regulated environments and how you’ve driven commercial strategies in the past. Let us know what excites you about joining StudySmarter!
Showcase Your Market Knowledge: We’re looking for someone with deep market knowledge, so make sure to include insights about current trends in defence manufacturing. Discuss how you’ve navigated procurement cycles and your understanding of compliance requirements. This will show us you’re not just a candidate, but a potential leader in our industry.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about StudySmarter and what we stand for. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Primaire Consulting Ltd
✨Know Your Market Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the aerospace and defence manufacturing ecosystem. Familiarise yourself with current market trends, key players, and recent developments. This will not only help you answer questions confidently but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
✨Showcase Your Relationships
Be prepared to discuss your established relationships with Defence Prime Contractors and Tier suppliers. Bring specific examples of how these connections have led to successful outcomes in previous roles. This will highlight your credibility and ability to navigate complex environments.
✨Prepare for Strategic Discussions
Since this role involves defining and executing commercial strategies, think about how you would approach this task. Prepare a structured business plan outline that includes revenue targets and growth milestones. This shows you’re ready to hit the ground running.
✨Engage with Real Scenarios
Anticipate questions about high-value negotiations and complex contracts. Prepare to share your experiences in these areas, focusing on the challenges faced and how you overcame them. This will illustrate your hands-on experience and strategic thinking.
