At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage key aerospace and defence accounts, building strong relationships and resolving technical issues.
- Company: Join R E Thompson & Co, a leader in precision CNC machining for aerospace and defence.
- Benefits: Attractive salary, car allowance, hybrid working, and direct access to senior leadership.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a company investing in advanced manufacturing technology.
- Why this job: Influence business growth and work on high-profile projects in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience with OEM/Tier 1 clients and a technical engineering background required.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
Location: Hybrid – customer sites, Hampshire and home (South West of England base preferred)
Job type: Full time, permanent
Salary: Attractive, dependent on experience, plus car allowance and benefits
About us
R E Thompson & Co (Vacuum) Ltd is a precision CNC machining and assembly business operating from two sites in Andover and Whitchurch, Hampshire. We manufacture flight-critical and safety-critical components for the world’s leading aerospace and defence primes and Tier 1 suppliers, and we continue to invest heavily in advanced manufacturing technology and in our people.
Why this role matters
This is one of the most important appointments R E Thompson will make. The accounts in this portfolio are among the most significant in the business, and the person who takes this role will directly influence our performance, our standing with the primes and the shape of our order book for years to come. You will have direct visibility with the senior leadership team including the Managing Director, your reading of customer demand will feed into our capacity and capital investment planning, and you will help define how key account management works at RET as the sales function grows. We are looking to appoint as early as possible so that the successful candidate has a full and unhurried handover of the account portfolio.
The opportunity
We are looking for a Key Account Manager to become the dedicated point of contact for a portfolio of our most important aerospace and defence customers, including major OEM and Tier 1 accounts based in and around the South West of England. This is a consultative, relationship-led role rather than a volume sales role. You will be close to the customer – present on their site, fluent in the technical detail of the parts we make for them, and trusted to resolve issues and shape future work. You will own the health of a multi-million pound order book while developing new business from within those accounts. You will report to the Head of Sales and be supported by a Technical Sales Engineer and a sales administration team in our back office.
What you’ll be doing
- Acting as the dedicated, named point of contact for a portfolio of key OEM and Tier 1 aerospace and defence accounts
- Building trusted relationships across procurement, supply chain, quality, engineering and programme management
- Spending regular time on customer sites, attending reviews, programme meetings and shop floor discussions
- Holding credible technical discussions on materials, machining methods, tolerancing, special processes and inspection requirements
- Owning the health of a multi-million pound order book, working closely with our production and back office teams
- Leading customer-facing communication on delivery performance, schedule and recovery plans
- Managing commercial discussions on pricing, long-term agreements and NRE, supported by the Head of Sales
- Identifying and developing new opportunities within existing accounts – new part numbers, transferred work packages and value-added scope
- Representing RET at supplier reviews, business reviews and audits
What we’re looking for – essential
- Demonstrable experience working with OEM and / or Tier 1 aerospace and defence customers
- A technical engineering or manufacturing background sufficient to lead technical conversations with customer engineers
- Experience in a customer-facing role such as key account management, customer programme management, technical sales or commercial management
- Confident and credible in a boardroom environment, able to converse constructively with senior stakeholders
- Strong commercial awareness and excellent communication skills
- A positive, solution-provider attitude
- Knowledge of aerospace materials and material traceability requirements under AS9100
- Knowledge of surface treatments and special processes to aerospace AS9100 standards
- Familiarity with PPAP / APQP, FAIR (AS9102) and Nadcap special process approvals
- Experience of customer supplier portals, scheduling agreements and long-term agreements
- Confident use of ERP, CRM and QMS systems, with the discipline to keep account and order book data accurate
- An engineering qualification (HNC, HND, degree or time-served apprenticeship)
- Full UK driving licence and the right to work in the UK
- A base in or near the South West of England area (preferred, not essential)
What we offer
- Attractive salary dependent on experience, plus car allowance and benefits
- Hybrid working – customer sites, our Hampshire facilities and home
- A structured handover and induction into the account portfolio
- A high-profile role with direct access to the senior leadership team and genuine influence over how the business develops
- A growing business with a strong forward order book and continued investment in technology
R E Thompson & Co (Vacuum) Ltd is an equal opportunities employer. Some work undertaken by the business may be subject to export control or security clearance requirements.
Key Account Manager in Andover employer: R E Thompson & Co (Vacuum) Ltd
R E Thompson & Co (Vacuum) Ltd is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation meets precision in the aerospace and defence sector. With a strong commitment to employee development, hybrid working options, and direct access to senior leadership, employees are empowered to shape the future of the business while enjoying competitive salaries and benefits. Located in the picturesque South West of England, this role provides the unique opportunity to engage closely with key clients, ensuring meaningful contributions to critical projects.
Contact Details:
R E Thompson & Co (Vacuum) Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Key Account Manager in Andover
✨Join Aerospace Forums and Groups
Get involved in aerospace engineering forums and online communities, like the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). It's a great way to meet industry peers and stay updated on job openings and trends in the field.
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Make sure to highlight any hands-on experience or projects on your portfolio that showcase your skills in aerospace engineering. Employers love seeing practical applications of theoretical knowledge. Show us what you've got!
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
When you find companies you want to work for, head straight to their careers page to apply for full-time roles, like the one with R E Thompson & Co (Vacuum) Ltd for a Key Account Manager. This often puts your application in front of the right people faster than just waiting for job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace Key Account Manager in Andover
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at R E Thompson & Co (Vacuum) Ltd, make sure to highlight your technical expertise. Include specific software skills, like CAD tools or simulation software, and any relevant engineering projects you’ve worked on. This is your chance to really shine and showcase your engineering toolkit!
Don't Skip Your Projects!:Include a section in your CV dedicated to projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities in aerospace engineering. Whether it's a university project, an internship, or personal work, we love seeing how you’ve applied your skills in real-world scenarios. Make it clear what your role was and the impact of the project.
Show Your Passion in Your Cover Letter:At R E Thompson & Co (Vacuum) Ltd, we're not just looking for skills – we want to know why you’re passionate about aerospace engineering. Use your cover letter to express what excites you about aviation technology and your career goals. Share any relevant experiences or inspirations that have led you to apply for this full-time position.
Tailor Your CV for Aerospace:Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to aerospace engineering. Focus on your education, any certifications, and your work experience, ensuring you highlight aspects that relate directly to the role. Don’t forget to mention any internships or apprenticeships that have given you hands-on experience.
How to prepare for a job interview at R E Thompson & Co (Vacuum) Ltd
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge
Aerospace engineering is all about technical precision, so make sure you’re comfortable with key concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. We recommend going through any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on – these real-world examples can illustrate your understanding during the interview with R E Thompson & Co (Vacuum) Ltd.
✨Showcase Your Projects with Confidence
Make sure to have a portfolio ready that details any significant projects you've worked on, whether it’s a group assignment or a personal endeavour. Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced, the tools you used, like CAD software, and what you learned from the experience, as this will show your problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Technical Interviews
Expect some technical questions or even problem-solving exercises during your interview with R E Thompson & Co (Vacuum) Ltd. Get familiar with design challenges or theoretical problems related to aerospace; this can range from calculating lift and drag forces to materials selection under stress. Practising these can help you feel more at ease when faced with tricky questions.
✨Emphasise Your Passion and Teamwork Skills
As a full-time candidate, it’s crucial to convey your passion for aerospace engineering and your ability to work in teams. Highlight any group projects or internships you've done, focusing on how you collaborated with others to achieve a goal. Companies like R E Thompson & Co (Vacuum) Ltd love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
