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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: Proven 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 Reading 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 Reading
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the aerospace and defence sector. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that you didn’t even know existed!
✨Showcase Your Expertise
When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers or industry peers, make sure to highlight your deep knowledge of the market and your experience with Prime Contractors. Share specific examples of how you've successfully navigated complex sales processes in regulated environments.
✨Prepare for the Interview
Do your homework before any interview! Understand the company’s position in the aerospace and defence landscape, their competitors, and recent market trends. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you’re not just another candidate, but someone who truly gets the industry.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to check out our website for job openings! Applying directly through us not only streamlines the process but also shows your genuine interest in being part of our team. Plus, we love seeing familiar names pop up in our applications!
We think you need these skills to ace Vertical Sales Manager in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Know Your Stuff: Before you start writing, make sure you really understand the aerospace and defence manufacturing sector. We want to see your knowledge shine through in your application, so do a bit of research on market trends and key players.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic CV and cover letter! We’re looking for someone who can define and execute a commercial strategy, so make sure to highlight your relevant experience and how it aligns with our needs in the aerospace and defence vertical.
Showcase Your Relationships: We value established relationships within Prime Contractors and their supply chains. In your application, share examples of how you've built and maintained these connections, as well as any successful negotiations you've led.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward communication, so avoid jargon and focus on what makes you the perfect fit for this role. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance!
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
Prepare to discuss your established relationships with Prime Contractors and Tier suppliers. Be ready to share 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.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
Think about how you would define and execute a commercial strategy for the Aerospace & Defence Manufacturing vertical. Bring a structured business plan to the table, outlining potential revenue targets and growth milestones. This shows that you can think strategically while being hands-on.
✨Engage with Real Scenarios
Be prepared to discuss real-life scenarios where you've successfully negotiated high-value contracts or developed long-term partnerships. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, making it easier for the interviewers to see your impact in previous roles.
