Job Title: Defence Sales Manager
Salary: Negotiable dependent upon experience
Location: Bedford/ Hybrid (1 day per week on site maximum)
Aeropeople have partnered with a privately-held Aerospace OEM company who are now looking to hire a Defence Sales Manager to join their team. The role will be hybrid working, with an expectation to be on site no more than 1 day per week at their site in Bedford but this can be negotiated.
The company’s first production aircraft will deliver up to a 90% reduction in carbon emissions compared to other aircraft, before attaining zero emissions by 2030. The aircraft is expected to be in flight from 2026 and in service from 2028 (capable of carrying up to 100 passengers or 10 tonnes in weight). As an aviation technology company one of their main core values is innovation and they have a genuine focus on being the best at all they do to positively impact their aircraft designs today and for the future.
Joining their team means contributing to an innovative, values-driven organisation while learning, growing, and helping shape the future of aviation.
The Defence Sales Manager role is a unique opportunity to support their growth and expansion. This is a hands-on, delivery focused role- you will manage and progress sales activity in the defence and security sectors within markets including the UK, EU and US, maintaining and developing relationships, progressing commercial agreements across a range of customers. Due to the nature of the role, applicants selected for interview must be eligible to obtain and hold appropriate UK security clearance, if required.
Main Responsibilities:
* Drawing upon your knowledge of working in aerospace, defence or government contracting markets, you will coordinate and lead sales activities and develop a disciplined, structured and repeatable approach to campaign management.
* Manage Defence sales activity: Oversee daily sales activities in the UK, EU and US defence markets, progressing opportunities from initial enquiry through to contract closure, while supporting and coordinating with geographically dispersed sales personnel.
* Sales enquiries and CRM stewardship: Maintain accurate records of defence sales opportunities in the CRM system, categorising and prioritising them appropriately. Act as the custodian of defence related sales data to support reporting, pipeline management, and team collaboration.
* Internal collaboration: Work closely with the Marketing team on campaign planning, coordination and CRM management updates. Coordinate with internal teams to identify and attend defence and security-focused events, exhibitions and trade shows that are likely to generate leads or strengthen existing relationships.
* Customer account management: Maintain regular engagement with new and existing defence and security customers, building strong, value-driven relationships and supporting repeat business.
* Feedback and continuous improvement: Document and act upon defence customer and market feedback to support product development, enhancement or refinement and commercial success.
Benefits:
* Negotiable basic salary dependent upon experience
* Flexible working hours
* Early finish on Fridays at 12.45pm
* Hybrid working- 1 day per week on site
* Company pension scheme with Royal London
* 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
* Life Assurance x 4 salary
* Private Medical Insurance scheme
* Health Cash Plan including discounts
* Employee assistance programme 24/7
* Onsite, free parking
About You:
* Ability to coordinate the full sales process, using a CRM to maintain and develop sales pipelines, applying lead generation and qualification methodologies to support consistent progress.
* Strong communication and organisation skills with the ability to translate detailed technical or product information into clear, engaging discussions with defence and security customers.
* Experience in supporting or undertaking people management, or willingness to develop in a line management capacity.
* Experience contributing to end-to-end sales processes, including pipeline development, opportunity qualification and tracking, contract negotiation, and contract progression.
* Familiarity with working within structured sales methodologies and campaign-based sales processes.
* Evidence of continuous professional development relevant to sales, business development, defence, security or aviation.
* You are a commercially focused professional with experience managing complex and detailed sales environments.
* You are comfortable working within structured sales processes and will evaluate, prioritise and progress opportunities to ensure resources are focused on high-value prospects that have the greatest impact on business growth.
* You work collaboratively across teams and bring a strong commitment to upholding organisational values while contributing directly to commercial growth.
About Aeropeople:
Whether you’re looking for your next job or searching out the next superstar to join your team…
Aeropeople’s expertise and experience is entrenched in the aerospace, aviation, engineering, motorsport, automotive, and defence industries. We have the insight and know-how at both a local and international level to help bring people and businesses together, saving time and energy. Our capability is validated through our Engineering Services division specifically our Aircraft Line Maintenance services as well as our Aircraft Tooling Leasing service.
During registration, please let us know where you are currently located or which locations you would consider taking a position in, required salary and notice period.
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