Sales Manager (Defence Sector)

Salary: Market rate remuneration plus car

Job Type: Permanent | Full Time | Remote / Hybrid options

Drive Commercial Growth within the UK Defence Industry

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a entrepreneurial Sales Manager to join a well established engineering organisation supplying highly specialised special purpose and customised equipment to defence customers across the UK and international markets.

As part of an ambitious growth strategy, the business is looking for a motivated sales professional who can strengthen existing customer relationships, identify new revenue streams and expand market share within the defence sector.

This is a strategic position offering excellent autonomy and the opportunity to work with advanced engineering solutions supporting critical defence programmes.

The Role

As Sales Manager, you will take ownership of developing business opportunities across the defence marketplace, managing strategic customer relationships and supporting the delivery of long-term commercial objectives.

Working closely with technical and engineering teams, you will help translate customer requirements into tailored engineering solutions that create genuine value.

Key Responsibilities

Defence Sales & Business Growth

• Develop and execute sales strategies to support business growth
• Identify and convert new business opportunities within defence and related sectors
• Manage the sales process from initial engagement through to contract award
• Grow revenue across existing and emerging customer accounts
• Support commercial forecasting and pipeline development

Strategic Account Management

• Build strong relationships with defence primes, OEMs and procurement teams
• Develop long-term account plans to maximise growth opportunities
• Act as a trusted commercial contact for customers
• Understand customer challenges and create solutions-based proposals

Technical Sales Support

• Collaborate with engineering teams to develop customer-led solutions
• Assist with technical proposals, pricing and commercial negotiations
• Ensure customer requirements are fully understood and delivered

Market Development

• Represent the business at defence exhibitions, conferences and networking events
• Monitor defence market trends and competitor activity
• Support marketing initiatives across digital and social media platforms
• Increase brand visibility within target defence markets

Commercial Operations

• Support bid, tender and framework submissions
• Maintain and optimise CRM records and accurate sales reporting
• Monitor performance against growth targets and objectives

About You

We are interested in speaking with professionals who have experience within defence, engineering, aerospace, manufacturing or technology environments.

You may currently be working as a:

• Sales Manager
• Defence Business Development Manager
• Technical Sales Engineer
• Key Account Manager
• Commercial Manager
• Defence Account Manager
• Business Development Executive
• Engineering Sales Professional

We would also welcome applications from technically focused engineers seeking to move into a commercial customer-facing role who have knowledge of the defense sector.

Essential Requirements

• Experience in sales, account management or business development
• Knowledge of defence sector customers (i.e. BAE Systems / Babcock) , programmes or Defence / MOD procurement processes
• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills
• Commercial awareness and business acumen
• Ability to manage multiple opportunities and customer relationships
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel

Desirable Experience

• Existing network within defence, aerospace or engineering sectors
• Experience supporting bids, tenders or framework agreements
• Technical or engineering background
• Exposure to defence technologies or complex engineered products

Engineers Looking to Move into Sales?

If you have a technical engineering background and enjoy working with customers, this role offers an excellent route into commercial leadership.

You’ll be able to utilise your engineering expertise whilst developing skills in:

• Strategic sales
• Account development
• Commercial negotiations
• Defence market engagement
• Customer relationship management

Why Join?

Work on High-Impact Defence Projects

Support innovative thermal management technologies used within advanced defence applications.

Influence Business Growth

Play a pivotal role in developing new business opportunities and expanding market presence.

Career Development

Join a growing organisation where your contribution will have genuine visibility and impact. Your success will mean company growth and potential for an increasing sales team.

Remote Working

Enjoy remote working arrangements with offices located near Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Which will require occasional site meeting at the office and with clients across the UK and potentially internationally.

Apply Today

If you are an experienced Sales Manager, Defence Business Development Manager or technically qualified engineer in a related market looking for a commercial challenge, we’d like to hear from you.

Due to the confidential nature of this opportunity, further details will be provided during the application process.

For a confidential discussion contact:

Kevin McHugh
Senex Recruitment Ltd
01424 211872

Click apply to email our recruitment specialist today with your CV and application.

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