Jobs in Reading, United States

New Business Development Manager – FTL

Location: Remote

Reporting to: Sales Director

Package: Attractive salary and generous performance-related bonus

About Friction Technology Limited (FTL)

Friction Technology Limited (FTL) is a leading provider of high-performance friction materials, supplying mission-critical components to industries such as automotive, industrial equipment, aerospace, and renewable energy. With a strong reputation for innovation and technical expertise, FTL collaborates closely with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and aftermarket customers to deliver reliable and customized solutions.

As part of n Industries, FTL is now positioned for accelerated growth, expanding its market reach and technical capabilities. We are focused on scaling our operations, enhancing our product offerings, and growing our team to support these ambitions. Our goal is to attract top talent who share our vision for excellence and innovation in friction technology.

At FTL, we pride ourselves on our extremely talented team, which consists of a great mix of ambitious profiles supported by experienced friction experts within the industry. This collaborative and high-performing environment enables us to drive innovation and provide world-class solutions to our customers.

About the Role

We are looking for a New Business Development Manager to drive new sales opportunities and expand our presence across key market sectors. This role is ideal for a proactive, results-driven individual with experience in technical sales, particularly within the friction materials, automotive, industrial, or aerospace industries.

This is a key role in FTL’s exciting growth phase, offering strong progression opportunities as the business expands. Reporting directly to the Sales Director, you will play a pivotal role in identifying new opportunities and introducing the FTL proposition. This position requires someone who is confident in communicating with people across all areas of a business and skilled in maintaining long-term business relationships.

The technical aspects of the role will be supported by our Technical Directors and Engineers, ensuring you can focus on driving new business and expanding our reach while aligning with the company’s growth objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify and develop new business opportunities, focusing on OEMs at a global level.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, understanding their needs and technical requirements.
• Manage the sales pipeline, from lead generation to closing deals.
• Work closely with internal teams, including engineering and production, to ensure customer requirements are met.
• Represent the company at trade shows, exhibitions, and networking events.
• Provide market insights to help shape product development and sales strategy.
• Achieve sales targets and contribute to overall business growth.

Key Skills & Experience

• Active and professional presence on LinkedIn — experienced in using the platform for outreach, networking, and lead generation.
• Experience engaging with OEMs and Tier 1–3 suppliers, ideally within friction materials, aerospace, automotive, industrial, or renewables.
• Proven experience in business development or sales within an engineering, manufacturing, or friction materials environment.
• Strong technical understanding or willingness to learn about friction materials and their applications.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.

Summary of Roles and Responsibilities

• Identify and develop new business opportunities across global OEMs, Tier 1–3 suppliers, and new market segments.
• Explore untapped markets and customer segments to drive growth.
• Build and maintain strong, long-term relationships with prospective customers.
• Understand customer needs and technical requirements to provide tailored solutions.
• Manage the entire sales process from lead generation through to deal closure.
• Track and progress opportunities using CRM or other sales tools.
• Collaborate closely with engineering, production, and technical teams to ensure accurate fulfilment of customer requirements.
• Communicate customer feedback internally to support product and service improvements.
• Represent FTL at trade shows, exhibitions, and industry events.
• Network to build industry presence and foster business connections.
• Provide market and competitor insights to support sales and product development strategies.
• Identify emerging trends, opportunities, and risks to inform strategy.
• Meet or exceed assigned sales targets and contribute to overall revenue growth.
• Travel regularly across the UK, Europe, and internationally to meet clients and attend events (84% of business is export-based).

Desirable

• Experience working with marketing tools and campaigns (e.g. Mailchimp, HubSpot, or similar platforms).
• Ability to support or co-create email marketing campaigns to generate leads.
• Familiarity with SEO, LinkedIn campaigns, and digital marketing strategies to amplify business development efforts.
• Previous experience producing or supporting thought-leadership content (case studies, blogs, press releases) to attract new business.
• Background in international sales, particularly within high-spec engineering markets.
• Experience working in an SME/high-growth environment where agility and initiative are essential.