Business Development Manager- Aftermarket

Safran; Stafford; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace and defense firm is seeking a commercially driven leader to grow the Actuation aftermarket business in the UK Defence & Aerospace sector. This senior role demands accountability for revenue growth, customer relationships, and execution of a clear aftermarket strategy. The ideal candidate should have proven experience in growing aftermarket revenue, strong commercial leadership skills, and the capability to lead complex negotiations. Competitive package offered in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Proven experience growing aftermarket revenue in aerospace and/or defence.
• Strong track record in customer relationships.
• Ability to manage complex negotiations.

Responsibilities

• Grow the Actuation aftermarket business.
• Develop and execute growth plans.
• Build and sustain key customer relationships.
• Own aftermarket strategy for programmes.
• Lead customer quotation and pricing activity.

Skills

Commercial leadership

Customer-facing credibility

Business growth

Negotiation skills

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

Safran is an international high-technology group, operating in the aviation (propulsion, equipment and interiors), defense and space markets. Its core purpose is to contribute to a safer, more sustainable world, where air transport is more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Safran has a global presence, with 100,000 employees and sales of 27.3 billion euros in 2024, and holds, alone or in partnership, world or regional leadership positions in its core markets.

Safran is in the 2nd place in the aerospace and defense industry in TIME magazine's "World's best companies 2024" ranking.

Safran Electronics & Defense offers its customers onboard intelligence solutions allowing them to understand the environment, reduce mental load and guarantee a trajectory, even in critical situations, in all environments: on land, at sea, in the sky or space. The company harnesses the expertise of its 13,000 employees towards these three functions: observe, decide and guide, for the civil and military markets.

What does the role look like?

If you've grown aftermarket revenue in aerospace or defence - and you know the difference between activity and impact - this role is for you. We're looking for a commercially driven leader to own and grow the Actuation aftermarket business in the UK Defence & Aerospace sector. This is a senior, visible role with real accountability: revenue growth, order intake, customer relationships, and the execution of a clear aftermarket strategy. You'll sit at the intersection of customers, programmes, and internal capability - turning opportunity into orders.

What will your day-to-day responsibilities look like?

• Grow the Actuation aftermarket business (repairs, spares, services)
• Owning and delivering aftermarket order intake and business growth targets
• Developing and executing a focused aftermarket growth plan, mobilising resources across Actuation and Safran Electronics & Defense
• Leading key customer pursuits for Aftermarket and supporting priority OE pursuits
• Building, managing, and sustaining senior customer relationships critical to long-term growth
• Owning the aftermarket strategy for existing programmes, entry-into-service, and development programmes
• Acting as the senior focal point for all aftermarket matters within Actuation
• Leading customer quotation, pricing, and negotiation activity for aftermarket support
• Managing pricing strategies, trend analysis, and corrective actions
• Owning site improvement targets linked to growth (order intake, campaigns, customer outcomes)
• Driving improvements that strengthen our aftermarket proposition (TAT, customer satisfaction, responsiveness)

What will you bring to the role?

Essential skills:

• Proven experience growing aftermarket revenue in aerospace and/or defence
• Strong commercial leadership with customer-facing credibility
• Track record of winning and expanding business within regulated, programme-driven environments

Desirable skills:

• Confident leading complex negotiations and influencing senior stakeholders
• Comfortable owning numbers, targets, and outcomes - not just activity
• Experience working cross-functionally across sales, engineering, operations, and supply chain
• Strong planning, forecasting, and CRM discipline (Salesforce experience preferred)
• Flexible mindset that can adapt approach depending on audience