Business Development Associate(Aerospace)

Element Materials Technology; Rotherham; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Element Materials Technology's Aerospace Materials Testing division seeks a Business Development Associate to grow the field by identifying opportunities, building customer relationships, and supporting sales initiatives across aerospace and defense sectors.

You will work with BDMs and technical experts to promote testing, engineering, and certification services to OEMs, Tier 1s, and MROs, traveling up to 30%.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Materials Science, Marketing, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline preferred.
• 1–3 years of experience in business development, inside sales, customer success, or technical sales.
• Experience supporting customers within aerospace, manufacturing, engineering services, or industrial markets is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Identify and qualify new business opportunities within the aerospace and defense market.
• Prospect new customers through phone outreach, email campaigns, networking, referrals, and industry events.
• Support Business Development Managers by scheduling customer meetings and maintaining active sales pipelines.
• Build relationships with engineering, quality, procurement, manufacturing, and supply chain professionals.
• Promote the company's aerospace materials testing capabilities, including: Mechanical Testing, Metallurgical Analysis, Failure Analysis, Chemical Analysis, Corrosion Testing, Fatigue & Fracture Testing, Polymer & Composite Testing, Fastener Testing, Non-Destructive Testing (NDT), Product Qualification & Certification.
• Prepare quotations, proposals, customer presentations, and sales documentation.
• Maintain accurate customer records and opportunity tracking within Salesforce or other CRM systems.
• Coordinate customer visits, laboratory tours, and technical meetings with operations and engineering teams.
• Attend aerospace trade shows, conferences, and customer events to generate leads and strengthen customer relationships.
• Deliver exceptional customer service throughout the sales cycle.

Skills

Communication

Presentation

Relationship-building

CRM proficiency

Multi-tasking

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Salesforce

Microsoft Dynamics

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Business Development Associate supports the growth of the company's Aerospace Materials Testing business by identifying new opportunities, developing customer relationships, and assisting with sales initiatives across the aerospace and defense industry. Working alongside experienced Business Development Managers and technical experts, this role helps drive revenue by promoting a comprehensive portfolio of laboratory testing, engineering, and certification services to OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, component manufacturers, MRO organizations, and emerging aerospace companies.

This position is ideal for an ambitious sales professional seeking to build a career in technical business development within the aerospace Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) industry.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify and qualify new business opportunities within the aerospace and defense market.
• Prospect new customers through phone outreach, email campaigns, networking, referrals, and industry events.
• Support Business Development Managers by scheduling customer meetings and maintaining active sales pipelines.
• Build relationships with engineering, quality, procurement, manufacturing, and supply chain professionals.
• Promote the company's aerospace materials testing capabilities, including:
• Mechanical Testing
• Metallurgical Analysis
• Failure Analysis
• Chemical Analysis
• Corrosion Testing
• Fatigue & Fracture Testing
• Polymer & Composite Testing
• Fastener Testing
• Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)
• Product Qualification & Certification
• Prepare quotations, proposals, customer presentations, and sales documentation.
• Maintain accurate customer records and opportunity tracking within Salesforce or other CRM systems.
• Coordinate customer visits, laboratory tours, and technical meetings with operations and engineering teams.
• Conduct market research to identify emerging aerospace programs, manufacturing investments, and competitive activity.
• Attend aerospace trade shows, conferences, and customer events to generate leads and strengthen customer relationships.
• Support account management activities for existing customers while identifying opportunities for additional testing services.
• Collaborate with marketing on lead generation campaigns, digital outreach, and promotional activities.
• Deliver exceptional customer service throughout the sales cycle.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Materials Science, Marketing, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline preferred.
• 1–3 years of experience in business development, inside sales, customer success, or technical sales.
• Experience supporting customers within aerospace, manufacturing, engineering services, or industrial markets is preferred.
• Strong communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and CRM platforms such as Salesforce or Microsoft Dynamics.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Willingness to travel up to 30% within the assigned territory.