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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 firm in industrial automation within the aerospace and defence sector.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career advancement opportunities, and a dynamic work environment.
- Why this job: Make an impact in a vital industry while leveraging your expertise in a strategic role.
- Qualifications: Senior sales experience in aerospace and defence with strong industry connections.
- Other info: Opportunity to shape the future of defence manufacturing and engage with top-tier clients.
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 Woking 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 Woking
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks, especially those in aerospace and defence. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by doing your homework. Understand the company’s position in the market, their recent projects, and how your experience aligns with their needs. We want you to walk in feeling confident and ready to showcase your expertise in industrial automation and defence manufacturing.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You need to clearly articulate how your background in sales and your established relationships can drive value for the company. We suggest rehearsing with a friend or even in front of a mirror to nail down your delivery.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. We recommend mentioning something specific from your conversation to show you were engaged and are genuinely interested in the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Vertical Sales Manager in Woking
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 knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also help you articulate how you can contribute to their commercial strategy.
✨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 demonstrate your credibility and ability to navigate complex supply chains.
✨Prepare for Complex Negotiations
Since this role involves high-value commercial negotiations, think of past experiences where you successfully closed complex contracts. Be ready to share your approach to negotiation and how you ensure compliance with governance requirements. This will highlight your strategic thinking and hands-on experience.
✨Engage with Senior Stakeholders
Practice articulating how you would engage with senior stakeholders across various functions like engineering and procurement. Prepare to discuss how you would build long-term partnerships and align customer engagement with business goals. This shows that you understand the importance of collaboration in achieving success.
