Sales Manager – Defence Land (110lw) (North Yorks (hybrid, 2 days onsite) - Salary: £40,000–£50,000 + commission + car allowance
You've spent years understanding how defence procurement really works - not the textbook version, but the real-world navigation of frameworks, stakeholders, and long sales cycles. Now you're ready to put that knowledge to work in a commercial role where your network and sector credibility are your biggest assets (within a supportive team environment, with mentorship)
DUE TO THE NATURE OF THIS RECRUITMENT CONSULTANCY, WE ARE ONLY ABLE TO REPRESENT INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE EX MILITARY.
Our client is a well-established, growing manufacturer of specialist technical products with a strong and growing footprint across the defence sector, including established relationships with the MoD and multiple defence primes. This is a brand-new role, created to accelerate their growth in Land Defence specifically.
As Business Development Manager - Defence Land, you'll be responsible for identifying and winning new business across global Land platforms and systems, while growing revenue within existing accounts. You'll manage the full opportunity lifecycle, from early engagement and requirement shaping through to capture planning and handover to bid execution.
Day to day, this means
Building and managing a qualified Land opportunity pipeline (armoured vehicles, tactical platforms, land systems integration)
Developing early-stage relationships with OEMs, system integrators, and Tier 1 primes
Navigating MoD and international procurement frameworks with confidence
Collaborating internally on pricing, bid strategy, and commercial terms
Representing the business at UK and international trade exhibitions
This is both a hunting and farming role - you'll win new logos and grow existing accounts in equal measure.
Who we're looking for
We're open to candidates from a range of backgrounds, including those transitioning from the Armed Forces. What matters most is that you can demonstrate:
5+ years in defence sales, business development, or account management OR a military career with materiel, procurement, or Land capability experience
A solid working knowledge of MoD procurement processes, contracting models, and stakeholder structures
Ideally, familiarity with Land environments - armoured vehicles, tactical platforms, or related systems
Commercial credibility - you know how to build a pipeline, qualify opportunities, and close
A technical or engineering background is a bonus, as is experience with export controls or international defence sales, but neither is essential.
This is an SME with real momentum - a close-knit team, strong retention, and a culture where people genuinely support each other. You won't be a cog in a machine. You'll be expected to take ownership, move at pace, and contribute to a business that's growing quickly.
Security Clearance eligibility is required. Package includes 32 days' annual leave (rising to 37), 7% employer pension, healthcare cash plan, group life insurance, profit share, and more.
Please send a copy of your CV with a note outlining why this would be the ideal opportunity for you, to Liz Walsh at Ex-Mil Recruitment Ltd