At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive new business growth and develop senior-level customer relationships.
- Company: Market-leading specialist in commercial vehicle design and manufacture.
- Benefits: Performance-linked bonus, pension, and benefits package.
- Why this job: Shape the future of a growing engineering-led business with real impact.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in business development within engineering or manufacturing sectors.
- Other info: Opportunity for career progression into broader leadership roles.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 Β£ per year.
Overview
Qi Van Systems is a market-leading specialist in the design, manufacture, and conversion of commercial vehicles, supplying complex, engineered solutions to some of the UK's largest fleet, leasing, and utility operators. We're profitable, well-established, and entering our next phase of growth. We're now looking to appoint a high-calibre Business Development Director who can drive new business growth while developing into a broader commercial and operational leader within the organisation.
Purpose of the role
To lead and deliver new business growth, working closely with engineering, design, and operations to ensure solutions are commercially sound, technically deliverable, and scalable. This role suits someone who is strong at winning business and thinks like a business owner, understanding how decisions impact margin, capacity, engineering resource, and long-term value.
Key responsibilities
- Commercial growth & strategy
- Lead all new business acquisition activity across fleet, leasing, and utility sectors
- Develop and execute new business and growth strategy aligned to company objectives
- Win and develop senior-level customer relationships, converting opportunities into long-term contracts and frameworks
- Own the new business sales pipeline, forecasting, and commercial performance reporting
- Work closely with engineering, design, and operations teams to ensure solutions are deliverable, compliant, and profitable
- Contribute to solution design, pricing strategy, and cost-down initiatives
- Understand operational capacity, manufacturing constraints, and engineering resources when shaping proposals
- Feed market, customer, and competitor insights into product development and continuous improvement
- Act as a senior commercial voice within the business, influencing strategy and decision-making
- Support the development of sales processes, systems, and future team capability
- Develop into a broader leadership role over time, with increased responsibility across commercial and operational areas
Measures of success
- New business revenue and margin growth
- Quality, value, and conversion of the sales pipeline
- Strength and longevity of customer relationships
- Quality of collaboration with engineering and operations
- Contribution to overall business performance and scalability
The person we're looking for
- Proven Business Development Director / Sales Director / Commercial Manager with strong new business credentials
- Experience in engineering-led, manufacturing, automotive, fleet, or industrial services environments
- Commercially astute with a strong understanding of how engineering and operations drive profitability
- Comfortable operating at senior customer, procurement, and board level
- Entrepreneurial mindset: ownership-oriented, commercially disciplined, and curious
- Hands-on, credible, and respected by both customers and technical teams
- Commutable to the West Midlands
Qualifications & background
- Engineering, technical, or commercially focused qualifications strongly preferred
- Experience working closely with engineering, design, or manufacturing teams is essential
What we offer
- Performance-linked bonus tied to growth and profitability
- Pension and benefits package
- Opportunity to help shape the future direction of a growing, engineering-led business
To apply
Please apply via LinkedIn for a confidential discussion.
Business Development Director in Telford employer: Qi Van Systems
Contact Detail:
Qi Van Systems Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice π€«
We think this is how you could land Business Development Director in Telford
β¨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and donβt be shy about reaching out to potential contacts. You never know who might lead you to your next big opportunity!
β¨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company inside out, especially their engineering and operational aspects. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs and how you can drive new business growth. Confidence is key!
β¨Tip Number 3
Showcase your achievements! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, highlight your past successes in business development. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to win contracts and build strong customer relationships.
β¨Tip Number 4
Donβt forget to apply through our website! Weβre always on the lookout for talented individuals who can help us grow. Make sure your application stands out by tailoring it to the role and showing your enthusiasm for joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Director in Telford
Some tips for your application π«‘
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Business Development Director. Highlight your experience in driving new business growth and working with engineering and operations teams. We want to see how you can bring value to our company!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've successfully developed customer relationships and driven commercial growth in the past.
Showcase Your Commercial Acumen: Weβre looking for someone who understands the ins and outs of profitability and margin impact. In your application, make sure to demonstrate your commercial mindset and how you've influenced strategy in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you donβt miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Qi Van Systems
β¨Know Your Numbers
Before the interview, brush up on key metrics related to business development, such as revenue growth percentages and customer acquisition costs. Being able to discuss these figures confidently will show that you understand the financial impact of your strategies.
β¨Understand the Engineering Side
Since this role involves working closely with engineering and operations, make sure you have a solid grasp of how these teams function. Familiarise yourself with basic engineering concepts and how they relate to profitability and scalability in commercial solutions.
β¨Build Relationships in Advance
If possible, try to connect with current employees or stakeholders at Qi Van Systems before your interview. This can give you insights into the company culture and help you tailor your responses to align with their values and expectations.
β¨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to be asked about specific scenarios where you've successfully driven new business growth or navigated challenges. Prepare examples that highlight your entrepreneurial mindset and ability to influence strategy, ensuring they align with the company's objectives.