Role Purpose
The Vertical Sales Manager will be responsible for establishing, leading, and growing a new Aerospace & Defence sales vertical within an established UK-based industrial automation solutions provider.
This is a development led sales role suited to an individual with vast experience in the aerospace and defence sector who can bring market knowledge, relationships, and credibility to drive entry into the sector and deliver sustainable long term growth.
Key Responsibilities
* Define and execute the commercial strategy for the Aerospace & Defence vertical from initial market entry through to scale.
* Build a structured business plan including revenue targets, pipeline development, and growth milestones.
* Monitor market trends, competitor activity, and customer requirements to inform strategy.
* Lead all new business development activity within the Aerospace & Defence sector.
* Build and manage a strong pipeline of opportunities, including complex, long cycle bids and tenders.
* Engage with senior customer stakeholders across engineering, procurement, supply chain, and executive levels.
* Drive high-value commercial negotiations and contract closures.
* Support marketing activity by contributing to sector messaging, value propositions, and industry positioning.
* Feed customer and market insights back into product strategy and supplier engagement.
* Build long-term, trusted partnerships with key customers and strategic accounts.
* Ensure a high standard of customer engagement, service delivery, and account development.
* Ensure awareness of, and compliance with, aerospace and defence sector requirements including quality standards, export controls, and regulated procurement processes.
* Support bid governance, risk assessment, and internal approval processes.
* Own and report on sales performance, forecasts, and KPIs for the vertical.
* Provide regular updates to senior leadership on progress, risks, and opportunities.
Essential Experience & Skills
* Significant senior sales or commercial leadership experience within Aerospace and/or Defence.
* Previous experience working within the engineering/ automation space.
* Proven track record of building and growing sales within complex, regulated, technical environments.
* Strong understanding of aerospace/defence procurement cycles, tendering, and long sales processes.
* Established network of industry contacts
* Demonstrated ability to operate strategically while remaining hands-on and commercially driven.
* Experience negotiating and closing high-value, technically complex contracts.
* Experience launching or scaling a new market, sector, or business unit.
* Background in industrial automation, electrical, electronic, or engineered technical solutions.
* Exposure to government, MoD, or defence prime contractor supply chains.
* Formal business qualification (MBA or similar).