Sales Manager

Senior plc; Congleton; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A company in the aerospace industry is looking for a business development professional to generate new business through consultative selling techniques. This role requires a proven sales track record and a proactive approach to managing customer relationships. Competitive benefits include a 4-day working week, an excellent pension scheme, and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

4-day working week

Excellent pension scheme

Life assurance

Employee Assistance Programme

Social and wellbeing events

Qualifications

• Proven track record in Sales, ideally in aerospace, industrial, or related engineering/manufacturing sectors.
• Strong background in consultative / solution selling and new business development.
• Experience with pipeline management and achieving/exceeding sales targets.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel (field-based role).

Responsibilities

• Create a pipeline of new business over the short, medium and long-term.
• Develop new business through virtual and field-based travel.
• Report weekly on pipeline forecast, quotes sent, and conversion rate.
• Leverage consultative solution selling toolkit to develop new propositions.
• Ensure effective onboarding and professional handover to account manager.

Skills

Commercial acumen

Customer-focused mindset

Strong communication & presentation skills

Networking ability

Analytical and reporting skills

Collaboration & teamwork

Self-motivated and organised

Problem-solving mindset

Education

Degree in Business, Engineering, or related field

Tools

CRM systems

Job description

Company Description

Senior Aerospace Bird Bellows is based in Congleton, Cheshire. Established in 1975 as a family-run operation serving the petro-chemical and gas industries, the company now designs, develops and manufactures pressure duct systems, flexible joints and insulation for highly regulated industries. Customers include aerospace (civil and military) as well as nuclear, oil and gas, chemical and pharmaceutical sectors.

BEHAVIOURS AND OBJECTIVES

1. To directly achieve: pipeline, meeting, quote, revenue, margin, conversion and customer hand-off targets, as agreed with your manager.
2. To indirectly support: retention, upsell/x-sell and customer satisfaction targets, as agreed with your manager.
3. To proactively manage your own calendar for networking, prospect and customer meetings.
4. To represent the business professionally at virtual and field-based prospect meetings, networking events, trade shows, factory tours and other customer-related meetings.
5. To manage the hand-off of new accounts to the appropriate account manager.
6. To be highly motivated, drive high performance and be accountable for your own activities.
7. To develop your own skills towards a first-class consultative solution selling model.
8. To liaise with other functions to support the overall growth agenda of Senior Plc.
9. To reflect on and share learnings for any lost opportunities for continuous improvement.
10. To break down barriers and highlight challenges to overcome to your manager.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Create a pipeline of new business over the short, medium and long-term to support achievement of new business targets.
2. Develop new business, both virtually and via field-based travel, to ensure that pipeline and sales targets are achieved and can be sustained.
3. Report weekly on pipeline forecast, quotes sent, conversion rate and CRM record-keeping.
4. Report monthly on the top, middle and bottom of the sales funnel for new business acquisition and collaboration on upsell/x-sell activities with the account managers.
5. Report quarterly on go-to-market plans for target accounts, supported by appropriate customer and industry research, or ad hoc as opportunities develop.
6. Daily arranging, scheduling and documenting (via the CRM module of the ERP system) sales calls, meetings, follow-up dates/times, quotes, updates, notes from conversations etc.
7. Leverage your consultative solution selling toolkit to identify customer needs and develop new and enhanced propositions, via communication and collaboration with other internal department stakeholders, to meet current and future customer needs.
8. Proactively and regularly communicate during prospecting for quotes, RFP, tenders and onboarding.
9. Manage communication before, during and following first order fulfilment, ensuring a high level of customer experience and payment of the first invoice.
10. Ensure effective onboarding and a professional, signed-off handover to the appropriate account manager for all new business acquisition.
11. Prepare a weekly summary of activities, issues, progress since last time and updates on actions.
12. Prepare a summary of call statistics and post-visit reports on request.

ASSOCIATED RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Provide input to objectives, target setting, reporting of pipeline and the sales funnel, systems development, commission plan design and other related sales administration.
2. Own, develop and maintain your applicable sales processes for new business.
3. Maintain a high standard of Health and Safety based upon safe working practices.
4. Support environmental initiatives where appropriate.
5. Ensure that all work activities and records comply with Company Policies, Processes, Procedures and Codes of Practice.
6. Active involvement in continuous improvement, helping to remove barriers to selling.
7. Prepare to update the Managing Director on your progress, performance and plans.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in Sales, ideally in aerospace, industrial, or related engineering/manufacturing sectors.
• Strong background in consultative / solution selling and new business development.
• Experience with pipeline management and achieving/exceeding sales targets.
• Familiarity with CRM systems (preferably ERP-linked) for sales activity tracking and reporting.
• Degree in Business, Engineering, or related field (desirable but not always essential).
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel (field-based role).

Skills

• Commercial acumen - able to identify opportunities, negotiate effectively, and drive profitable growth.
• Customer-focused mindset - ability to build strong relationships, deliver excellent onboarding, and ensure customer satisfaction.
• Strong communication & presentation skills - comfortable with meetings, trade shows, and senior-level discussions.
• Networking ability - confident in building contacts across industry events and professional networks.
• Analytical and reporting skills - able to track KPIs, forecast pipeline, and present performance updates.
• Collaboration & teamwork - works effectively with account managers and internal departments to deliver customer solutions.
• Self-motivated and organised - manages own calendar, priorities, and sales processes.
• Problem-solving mindset - proactive in identifying barriers and proposing solutions.

Additional Information

We offer a supportive and rewarding work environment that values wellbeing and work-life balance. Enjoy the benefits of a 4-day working week, giving you more time for what matters most. We also provide an excellent pension scheme, life assurance, and access to a confidential Employee Assistance Programme. Our team regularly takes part in social and wellbeing events, helping you stay connected, supported, and engaged both in and outside of work.