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- 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 growing engineering business.
- Qualifications: Experience in business development within engineering or related fields; strong relationship-building skills.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements and opportunities for career progression.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Join South West Metal Finishing to drive growth across aerospace, defence and 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
As Business Development Manager, you will play a key role in shaping the future growth of South West Metal Finishing. You will focus on developing profitable, long-term relationships while identifying new opportunities across aerospace, defence and advanced manufacturing markets.
Your Responsibilities Will Include:
- Proactively identifying, developing and converting new business opportunities across target sectors, with a particular focus on strategic and high-value customers.
- Growing existing customer accounts by spotting opportunities for additional services, increased volumes and long-term partnerships.
- Working closely with internal teams including operations, quality, engineering and marketing to develop commercially sound, technically credible solutions for customers.
- Leading customer meetings, site visits and presentations, confidently representing SWMF's capabilities, accreditations and value proposition.
- Supporting bid activity and proposals, including contributing to pricing strategies alongside the Director of Sales and Marketing.
- Keeping up to date with market trends, customer challenges and competitor activity to ensure SWMF remains well-positioned in a competitive landscape.
- Representing the business at trade shows, exhibitions and industry events, acting as a visible and professional ambassador for the brand.
- Maintaining accurate records of activity, pipeline and progress, providing clear updates and insights to senior leadership.
What We're Looking For
We're 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 or 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're 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 plus bank holidays.
- 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 West Bromwich 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 West Bromwich
✨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
Be proactive in reaching out to your target sectors. Use LinkedIn to connect with decision-makers in aerospace, defence, and advanced manufacturing. A simple message can open doors to new opportunities!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for meetings by researching your prospects thoroughly. Understand their challenges and think about how SWMF’s solutions can address their needs. This will show you’re not just there to sell but to provide real value.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After meetings or networking events, send a quick thank-you email and keep the conversation going. It’s all about building those long-term relationships that lead to growth.
We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Manager in West Bromwich
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Business Development Manager. Highlight your experience in engineering and any relevant achievements that showcase your ability to drive growth in sectors like aerospace and defence.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about this role and how your skills align with our mission at South West Metal Finishing. Be sure to mention your consultative approach and relationship-building skills.
Showcase Your Technical Understanding: Since we’re in a technical environment, it’s crucial to demonstrate your engineering background or technical knowledge. Share specific examples of how you've applied this understanding in previous roles to solve customer challenges.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
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 specific sectors they operate in. Understanding their accreditations like ISO 9001 and AS9100 will show that you're genuinely interested and prepared.
✨Showcase Your Relationship Skills
As a Business Development Manager, your ability to build relationships is key. Prepare examples of how you've successfully developed long-term partnerships in previous roles, especially in technical environments like aerospace or defence.
✨Be Ready for Technical Discussions
Since this role requires a strong technical understanding, be prepared to discuss engineering concepts and how they relate to business development. Think about how you can translate complex technical needs into practical solutions for customers.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the company's growth strategy, market trends, and customer challenges. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the company aligns with your career goals.