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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive growth by building relationships and identifying new business opportunities in aerospace and defence.
- Company: Join South West Metal Finishing, a leader in surface engineering with 90 years of expertise.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, company car, and 25 days holiday plus bank holidays.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team shaping the future of a leading engineering business.
- Qualifications: Experience in business development or sales within technical environments; strong relationship-building skills.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements and opportunities for career progression in a supportive culture.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Join South West Metal Finishing to drive growth across aerospace, defence & advanced manufacturing with a competitive package and travel opportunities. This is an exciting strategic hire as the business expands its national footprint and partners with global OEMs, offering a competitive salary, meaningful bonus potential and opportunities to represent a UK industry leader. You will benefit from ongoing professional development and working with one of the UK's most technically accredited surface engineering businesses.
About South West Metal Finishing
South West Metal Finishing is a world-class surface engineering partner with over 90 years of expertise, supplying high-quality metal finishing solutions across sectors including aerospace, defence, automotive, nuclear and general engineering. We operate multiple purpose-built facilities in the South West and hold ISO 9001, AS9100 and NADCAP accreditations, working with major OEMs and primes. With continual investment in technology, training and quality standards, SWMF is proud of its culture of innovation, teamwork and excellence.
What You'll Do
- Proactively identify, develop and convert new business opportunities across target sectors, focusing on strategic and high-value customers.
- Grow existing customer accounts by spotting opportunities for additional services, increased volumes and long-term partnerships.
- Work closely with internal teams including operations, quality, engineering and marketing to develop commercially sound, technically credible solutions for customers.
- Lead customer meetings, site visits and presentations, confidently representing SWMF's capabilities, accreditations and value proposition.
- Support bid activity and proposals, including contributing to pricing strategies alongside the Director of Sales & Marketing.
- Keep up to date with market trends, customer challenges and competitor activity to ensure SWMF remains well-positioned in a competitive landscape.
- Represent the business at trade shows, exhibitions and industry events, acting as a visible and professional ambassador for the brand.
- Maintain accurate records of activity, pipeline and progress, providing clear updates and insights to senior leadership.
What We're Looking For
We are looking for a commercially minded Business Development professional who enjoys building relationships, understands technical environments and is motivated by long-term growth rather than quick wins. You are likely to be a strong fit if you have:
- Proven experience in a Business Development, Sales or Commercial role within engineering, manufacturing, aerospace, defence or a related technical environment.
- An engineering qualification/background or a strong technical understanding gained through experience.
- A consultative, relationship-led approach to sales, with the ability to understand customer needs and translate them into practical solutions.
- Strong commercial awareness, with experience contributing to pricing discussions, proposals or bid activity.
- Confidence communicating with a wide range of stakeholders, from shop-floor teams to senior decision-makers.
- The ability to work independently, manage your own pipeline and prioritise effectively while collaborating as part of a wider team.
- A willingness to travel nationally as part of the role, with occasional international travel where required.
Most importantly, we are looking for someone who is curious, commercially driven and relationship-focused, and who wants to grow with a business that invests in quality, people and long-term success.
Benefits You'll Love
- Competitive base salary up to £50,000 plus performance-related bonus.
- Company Car / Car Allowance.
- 25 days holiday + Banks.
- Opportunities for career progression in a growing engineering business.
- Structured onboarding and professional development support.
- Work with a highly accredited company trusted by global engineering leaders.
- Flexible working arrangements and supportive team culture.
- Relocation support considered for the right candidate, recognising the broad South West catchment.
Hours: Full-time, Monday to Friday. Office Arrangements: Mix of office and customer-facing engagement, with regular travel to customer sites.
Business Development Manager in Birmingham employer: South West Metal Finishing
Contact Detail:
South West Metal Finishing Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Manager in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend industry events, trade shows, and exhibitions where you can meet potential clients and partners. Don’t be shy; introduce yourself and chat about how you can help them grow their business.
✨Tip Number 2
Do your homework on the companies you want to target. Understand their needs and challenges in the aerospace and defence sectors. This way, when you reach out, you can offer tailored solutions that show you really get their business.
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after meetings or networking events. A quick email thanking them for their time and reiterating your interest can keep you top of mind. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and serious about building those relationships.
✨Tip Number 4
Use our website to apply directly for the Business Development Manager role. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed, and you can showcase your enthusiasm for joining a leading company in the metal finishing industry.
We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Manager in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Business Development Manager role. Highlight your experience in engineering and your ability to build relationships, as these are key for us at South West Metal Finishing.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've driven growth in previous positions and how you can bring that expertise to our team.
Showcase Your Technical Knowledge: Since we operate in technical environments, it's important to demonstrate your understanding of engineering and manufacturing. Mention any relevant qualifications or experiences that showcase your technical background.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This way, your application will be processed more efficiently, and you'll have the chance to explore more about our company culture and values.
How to prepare for a job interview at South West Metal Finishing
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on South West Metal Finishing's history, values, and the industries they serve. Understanding their accreditations like ISO 9001 and AS9100 will show that you're genuinely interested and prepared.
✨Showcase Your Relationships
Be ready to discuss your experience in building long-term relationships. Prepare examples of how you've successfully developed business opportunities in engineering or manufacturing sectors, especially in aerospace or defence.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Since this role requires a strong technical understanding, expect questions that assess your knowledge of metal finishing processes and how they apply to customer needs. Brush up on relevant technical terms and concepts.
✨Demonstrate Your Consultative Approach
Highlight your consultative sales style by preparing scenarios where you've identified customer needs and provided tailored solutions. This will resonate well with their focus on relationship-led sales.
