Aerospace Business Development Manager

Optima UK Inc Ltd; Coventry; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Optima UK Inc Ltd in Coventry is seeking a Business Development Manager to drive growth in aerospace manufacturing. You will identify and win new aerospace opportunities, develop relationships, and collaborate with estimating and engineering teams to convert enquiries into profitable orders.

The role requires a practical grounding in estimating or project delivery, knowledge of precision machining and metallic components, and strong negotiation and CRM skills.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in business development or sales within aerospace manufacturing or precision engineering.
• Hands-on experience of estimating and/or project management, with understanding of costs, routes and lead times.
• Knowledge of aerospace manufacturing processes, particularly precision machining and metallic components.
• Experience reading engineering drawings and specifications to qualify RFQs.
• Strong commercial and negotiation skills with understanding of margins.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills at all levels.
• Experience using CRM systems and producing pipeline and forecast reports.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel as required.

Responsibilities

• Identify, target and win new aerospace customers and programmes across commercial and military markets.
• Grow and manage relationships with existing customers and key accounts.
• Build and manage a healthy sales pipeline, with accurate forecasting and CRM reporting.
• Review incoming RFQs and technical requirements and qualify opportunities against the business's capabilities.
• Work with Estimating and Engineering to produce competitive, commercially sound quotations.
• Lead commercial discussions and negotiations, protecting margin and agreeing terms.
• Support projects through to delivery by liaising between the customer and internal teams (Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Procurement).
• Represent the business at customer meetings, audits, supplier days and industry events.
• Gather market intelligence on customers, competitors and sector trends to shape business strategy.

Skills

Business development

Estimating

Project management

Aerospace knowledge

Reading drawings

Negotiation

CRM experience

Travel willingness

Job description

Location: Coventry

Commutable from: Coventry, Kenilworth, Warwick, Leamington Spa, Rugby and surrounding areas

Salary: £50,000 - £65,000 (DOE)

Working hours: Full-time, permanent

About the Company

Our client is a leading engineering and manufacturing organisation specialising in complex metallic components for the aerospace sector. Serving both commercial and military aerospace markets, they provide high-precision manufacturing solutions and support customers globally through advanced engineering, fabrication, machining and supply chain capabilities.

About the Role

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Business Development Manager to drive growth within a successful aerospace manufacturing business.

You will identify and win new aerospace opportunities, develop existing customer relationships and work closely with the estimating and engineering teams to turn enquiries into profitable orders. With a technical and commercial grounding in estimating and project delivery, you will be able to qualify opportunities credibly and represent the business with confidence.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify, target and win new aerospace customers and programmes across commercial and military markets.
• Grow and manage relationships with existing customers and key accounts.
• Build and manage a healthy sales pipeline, with accurate forecasting and CRM reporting.
• Review incoming RFQs and technical requirements and qualify opportunities against the business's capabilities.
• Work with Estimating and Engineering to produce competitive, commercially sound quotations.
• Lead commercial discussions and negotiations, protecting margin and agreeing terms.
• Support projects through to delivery by liaising between the customer and internal teams (Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Procurement).
• Represent the business at customer meetings, audits, supplier days and industry events.
• Gather market intelligence on customers, competitors and sector trends to shape business strategy.

About You

• A proven track record in business development or sales within aerospace manufacturing or precision engineering.
• Hands-on experience of estimating and/or project management, giving you a strong understanding of costs, routes and lead times.
• Knowledge of aerospace manufacturing processes, particularly precision machining and metallic components.
• Experience reading engineering drawings and specifications sufficiently to qualify RFQs.
• Strong commercial and negotiation skills, with a clear understanding of margins.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills at all levels.
• Experience using CRM systems and producing pipeline and forecast reports.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel as required.

Desirable

Existing contacts or experience with aero-engine OEMs or Tier 1 / Tier 2 suppliers.