Senior Business Development Manager Europe – Defence

CEVA Logistics; Courbevoie; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

CEVA Logistics is strengthening its Defence business in Europe and is seeking a Senior Business Development Manager Europe – Defence to lead strategic account development and market expansion. You will manage a portfolio of strategic Defence relationships across Europe, connecting customer requirements with CEVA’s end-to-end logistics capabilities including Air, Ocean, Ground, Contract Logistics and 4PL.

This senior commercial role combines leadership, market insight and cross-functional

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in Defence or Aerospace with senior BD or sales leadership.
• Proven track record in strategic account development and complex negotiations.
• Strong network across Defence ecosystem and stakeholders.
• Solid understanding of logistics and supply chain.

Responsibilities

• Lead commercial development across Europe’s Defence sub-sector.
• Own major strategic accounts and secure new revenue opportunities.
• Develop market opportunities and manage tender processes.
• Collaborate with CEVA teams to align capabilities with market needs.

Skills

Defence / Aerospace

Strategic account leadership

Business development

Senior sales leadership

Job description

CEVA Logistics provides global supply chain solutions to connect people, products, and providers all around the world. Present in 170+ countries and with more than 110,000 employees spread over 1,500 sites, we are proud to be a Top 5 global 3PL.

We believe that our employees are the key to our success. We want to engage and empower our diverse, global team to co-create value with our customers through our solutions in contract logistics and air, ocean, ground, and finished vehicle transport. That is why CEVA Logistics offers a dynamic and exceptional work environment that fosters personal growth, innovation, and continuous improvement.

DARE TO GROW! Join CEVA Logistics, and you will be part of a team that values imagination and continued learning and is committed to excellence in everything we do. Join us in our mission to shape the future of global logistics. As we continue growing at a fast pace, will you “Dare to Grow” with us?

About the role

CEVA Logistics is strengthening its Defence business in Europe and is looking for a senior commercial leader to support the next phase of its development.

As Senior Business Development Manager Europe – Defence, you will have a European mandate combining strategic account leadership, business development and market expansion.

You will manage a selected portfolio of strategic Defence relationships while driving the next phase of CEVA’s commercial footprint across Europe. The role combines securing and developing existing business with actively creating and converting new commercial opportunities.

Operating at a senior level within the Defence ecosystem, you will develop relationships with key decision-makers and connect customer requirements with CEVA’s end-to-end logistics capabilities, including Air, Ocean, Ground & Rail, Contract Logistics, Customs and 4PL.

Working across CEVA’s European, local and product organizations, you will shape account strategies, develop market opportunities, lead major commercial engagements and turn opportunities into sustainable and profitable business.

This is an active commercial role with a European scope and a strong strategic dimension.

France is the preferred location.

Key Responsibilities

Drive the growth of the Defence Sub-sector across Europe

• Lead the commercial development of CEVA’s Defence business across Europe.
• Build and convert a strategic pipeline of new business opportunities.
• Identify priority markets, customers and growth levers and translate them into commercial action.
• Strengthen CEVA’s position and presence across the European Defence ecosystem.
• Develop senior-level relationships with customers, industry stakeholders and strategic partners.

Lead strategic accounts and commercial development

• Own the commercial agenda for a selected portfolio of strategic Defence accounts.
• Secure existing business while systematically developing share of wallet and new revenue opportunities.
• Build senior and executive-level relationships within customer organizations.
• Lead strategic opportunities, complex tenders and major commercial negotiations through to contract award.
• Maintain a clear view of customer strategy, competitive positioning and long-term commercial potential.

Connect CEVA capabilities with the market

• Position CEVA’s logistics and supply chain capabilities against the evolving requirements of the Defence sector.
• Mobilize the relevant expertise across Air, Ocean, Ground, Contract Logistics, Customs and 4PL to address complex customer opportunities.
• Work with CEVA’s European and local organizations to establish the appropriate commercial coverage and execution model.
• Develop a European approach combining sector expertise, local market access and CEVA’s global capabilities.

Shape the commercial agenda

• Bring senior market insight to CEVA’s European Defence leadership.
• Influence commercial priorities, investment decisions and growth initiatives.
• Provide clear visibility on market potential, strategic opportunities, pipeline and commercial performance.
• Act as a senior commercial reference for Defence across the European organization.

Qualifications and Skills

We are looking for a senior commercial professional with:

• Significant experience in Defence / Aerospace & Defence, ideally in a senior Business Development, Key Account Management or Sales leadership role.
• A proven track record in strategic account development, new business acquisition and complex commercial negotiations.
• An established network and strong relationships across the Defence ecosystem.
• A solid understanding of transportation, logistics and supply chain, with the ability to engage across multiple logistics solutions.
• Experience engaging with senior and executive stakeholders within complex international organizations.
• Strong commercial judgement, influencing skills and strategic thinking.
• Fluent English; French is strongly preferred.

A military background combined with significant commercial experience will also be considered.

Why CEVA?

CEVA Logistics, part of the CMA CGM Group, is a global logistics and supply chain company operating in more than 170 countries.

Within Aerospace & Defence, CEVA combines international scale, sector expertise and a broad portfolio of logistics solutions to support customers operating in strategic and highly demanding environments.

This position offers the opportunity to take on a senior and visible commercial role in the development of CEVA’s Defence business across Europe, with the ability to shape markets, influence strategic relationships and drive sustainable regional growth.

You will leverage CEVA’s full portfolio of logistics solutions, European network and specialized expertise while operating at senior level with customers, markets and internal stakeholders.

If you bring the Defence expertise, commercial network and seniority required to develop strategic business at European level, we would like to hear from you.