Business Development Manager - Automotive Manufacturing in Portsmouth

Portsmouth / Midlands base with travel to client sites. Up to £70,000 dependant upon experience, plus car/car allowance, 33 days holiday (including bank holidays), pension, life assurance, employee assistance programme, wellbeing support, and flexible benefits including cycle to work scheme.

About the Role

As a Business Development Manager for UPCS you will be responsible for driving strategic growth and market expansion within a designated sector. This will involve the delivery of commercial targets and the implementation of robust sector strategies. You will be a proactive collaborator, have proven experience as a BD Manager, be ready for travel to customer sites, and ideally be based either Portsmouth or Midlands, UK. Both time on-site and time with customers will be prioritised.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the iterative development of sector strategies by mapping high-potential markets and emerging trends.
• Execute the full sales lifecycle to secure new business that meets or exceeds profitability and growth targets.
• Oversee the submission of detailed bids, tenders, and executive presentations, ensuring strict commercial and financial alignment.
• Cultivate high-value relationships and lead the ‘Gate to Great’ onboarding process to ensure long-term contract stability.
• Partner with Marketing to deliver sector‑specific messaging that articulates a clear competitive advantage.
• Synthesise customer insights into scalable service offerings by collaborating with technical and engineering teams.
• Ensure all growth activities remain synchronised with corporate objectives and the principles of The Unipart Way.
• Maintain a robust opportunity pipeline while providing high‑quality cross‑vertical leads to support holistic company growth.

About You

• Proven track record in high‑value business development, with a readiness for frequent travel between sites (Portsmouth/Midlands).
• Ability to leverage professional experience from the Automotive industry or related high‑growth sectors.
• A history of successfully driving market penetration and securing sustainable, high‑value revenue growth.
• Expert at building ‘executive presence’ and managing sophisticated relationships with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Proactive mindset for identifying untapped market potential and converting emerging trends into commercial opportunities.
• Advanced skills in securing favorable commercial terms and presenting complex value propositions to diverse audiences.
• Strong fiscal literacy, including P&L management, margin protection, and the development of robust commercial frameworks.
• Expertise in creating detailed quotations and managing rigorous tender processes to ensure profitability targets are met.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

We believe that a great workplace is one where you can bring your whole self to work. Our recruitment process is designed to be accessible, inclusive, and based entirely on merit. We define merit through a combination of technical skills and the core behaviours that help our people thrive at Unipart. We welcome applications from everyone, regardless of background or circumstances. We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity that exceeds our statutory obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and subsequent legislation. Whether it’s your age, disability, neurodiversity, gender identity, family status, or any other characteristic that makes you ‘you’ – it is your talent and potential that we value most.

Adjustments for you: We want you to perform at your best. If you require any reasonable adjustments or have specific accessibility needs at any stage of the application or interview process, please let us know. We are here to support you.