Sales Director

Safran; Cwmbran; On-site; GBP 136,000 - 196,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

33 days holiday

Pension scheme

Private medical cover

Cycle to work

Life Assurance

Training & development

Job summary

Safran Seats seeks a Sales Director to develop and deliver the commercial strategy for assigned accounts with a sales target of up to $200M in OIT. You will act as the Voice of the Customer, aligning actions across Sales, Marketing, Programmes and Aftermarket to maximize value and growth.

Reporting to a VP Regional Sales, you will be part of a global sales organisation and champion customer satisfaction while promoting Safran Seats at meetings, trade shows and industry events.

Qualifications

• Master degree in Business/Engineering Sales & Marketing.
• Experience leading aerospace sales accounts and global teams.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally (30‑40%).

Responsibilities

• Drive opportunities from RFP to contract signature and targets.
• Develop and execute commercial strategies for assigned accounts.
• Build and manage strong customer relationships and Voice of the Customer.
• Lead negotiations and commercial offers through to execution.
• Collaborate with Finance, Marketing, Aftermarket and Programme teams.
• Maintain governance and reporting of opportunities and sales processes.

Skills

Autonomous

Organized

Negotiation

Sales leadership

Communication

Cross-functional work

Travel readiness

Education

Master's degree in Business/Engineering Sales & Marketing

Tools

CRM systems

Job description

We also know that some candidates may be put off applying for jobs where they don't meet 100% of the criteria outlined in the advert, however, we encourage anybody to apply if you can demonstrate a variety of skills and experience relevant to the requirements of this role. Please let us know if you would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments to the application or hiring process that may better facilitate your participation

Your role

As Sales Director, you will be accountable for developing and delivering the commercial strategy for your assigned accounts, with an annual sales target of up to approximately $200M in OIT, aligned with Safran Seats' medium-term targets. You'll operate as a key customer advocate within the organisation, ensuring the Voice of the Customer is clearly understood and translated into action across Sales, Marketing, Programmes, Aftermarket and other internal functions. Reporting to a VP Regional Sales, you will be part of a global sales organisation covering,

Key responsibilities

• Drive Sales: Lead opportunities from RFP through to contract signature, delivering sales and profitability targets.
• Grow Key Accounts: Develop and execute short- and long-term commercial strategies for assigned customers.
• Build Customer Relationships: Act as the primary point of contact and Voice of the Customer, building strong, long-term partnerships.
• Lead Negotiations: Prepare and negotiate commercial offers, contracts and amendments through to successful execution.
• Understand the Market: Monitor customer needs, market trends and competitor activity to identify opportunities and inform strategy.
• Champion Customer Satisfaction: Stay close to customers, communicate proactively and ensure commitments are delivered.
• Promote Safran: Represent Safran Seats at customer meetings, trade shows and industry events, showcasing our products and services.
• Support Financial Performance: Work with Finance and Sales Administration to support cash collection and financial targets.
• Collaborate Across the Business: Share market intelligence and customer feedback while working closely with Sales, Marketing, Aftermarket and Programme teams.
• Maintain Sales Governance: Track opportunities, maintain accurate reporting and ensure compliance with internal sales processes.

Key skills and attributes

• Autonomous, well organized, proactive, pragmatic,dynamic, and resilient
• Customer oriented and able to operate effectively in a complex and international environment and pressing customer deadlines
• Ability to efficiently resolve problems in a positive manner
• Ability to develop an extensive network and build strong relationships with both internal stakeholders and external customers
• Strong negotiation, selling, influencing and communication skills, sensitive to cultural issues when required
• Capacity to lead cross functional teams and embark on a common position
• Understanding the key elements in building a profitable business case.
• Willingness to travel for domestic and overseas business (30%-40%)
• Strong knowledge and experience in a sales role within the aerospace industry (especially with the Airlines).
• Master degree qualified in relevant area (Business/Engineering Sales & Marketing)

Safran is an international high-technology group operating in the fields of aerospace (propulsion, equipment and interiors), space and defense. Its mission is to contribute sustainably to a safer world, where air transport becomes ever more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Present on every continent, the Group employs 110,000 people and generated €31.3 billion in revenue in 2025. Safran holds, either independently or through partnerships, leading global or European positions in its markets.

Safran was ranked second in the Aerospace & Defense sector in TIME magazine's "World's Best Companies 2025" ranking. With more than one million seats installed across the fleets of the world's leading airlines, Safran Seats is one of the global leaders in passenger, crew, aircraft and helicopter seating, delivering innovative, high value-added solutions., Here, we craft excellence together.

Why Safran?

• A global presence: Be part of a global aerospace, defence & space business with over 100,000 Colleagues, across 300 sites in 30 countries.
• Inclusive & empowering environment: We celebrate our differences and believe they make us stronger. We know that a fulfilling work environment is a key driver for innovative ideas and team success.
• Innovation at the core: Join our mission to decarbonise aerospace and make the world a safer place. Your ambitions can take us further.
• Mobility & training opportunities: We can support your ambitions with training, development, a personalised career plan and mobility opportunities. If you have big dreams, we'll support you to make them a reality.
• A culture of excellence: Join a team that values collaboration, integrity, and continuous improvement. Whatever your background, together we aim for excellence.

Get involved

• We also have a number of groups and forums across our sites that you can get involved with, including Women at Safran, Diversity at Safran, Sports Clubs, STEM ambassadors, Employee Forum, Charity Partnerships and Wellbeing Programs.

Looking after the people who make Safran great is our priority. We offer a range of flexible benefits designed to support you-both in and out of work, including:

Benefits

• 33 days holiday (including bank holidays)
• Industry leading pension scheme with salary sacrifice employer contributions up to 10%.
• Private medical cover (to include Digital GP and rapid access Physio with no excess) with ability to upgrade level of benefit and cover family members.
• Access to salary sacrifice benefits scheme including cycle to work
• 4 x Life Assurance
• Interactive benefits platform including wide range of discretionary benefits including technology, retail benefits, income protection.
• Enhanced family friendly policies and benefits (enhanced maternity and paternity leave) and employee assistance programme
• Annual share save schemes.
• Opportunities for career advancement and personal growth. Benefit from support through Safran University and our internal Training and Development Schools

Safran - Here, we craft excellence together. At Safran, excellence is a journey - and we'd love you to be a part of it. As a trusted global leader in aerospace, defence, and space, we are proud to be a company where diversity, innovation, and opportunity come together to shape a sustainable future where we can all succeed together through a shared vision At Safran, we understand that diversity and inclusion make teams stronger and more effective, and as an organisation, we are committed to fair and equitable employment practices for everyone.