Business Development Manager, Defence

Compass Human Resources Group A/S; Sweden; On-site; SEK 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Biesterfeld Sweden seeks a Commercial Business Development Manager to own the defence materials business across Sweden and the Nordic region, driving growth and strengthening our position in the defence sector.

You will build long-term customer relationships, lead new opportunities, and collaborate with internal teams to deliver competitive material solutions, while navigating complex, project-based sales in large organisations.

Qualifications

• Experience in B2B sales or business development towards industrial customers.
• Background in, or understanding of, the defence industry.
• Experience with longer and complex sales processes where relationship-building and persistence are crucial.
• Strong commercial understanding and ability to identify needs and create value in complex deals.
• Structured and independent work approach, driving from first contact to long-term relationships.
• Good communication skills and ability to build relationships with customers, partners, and internal teams.
• Basic technical understanding of advanced materials and why material choice is business-critical.
• Relevant university education in engineering, business, or equivalent experience.
• Fluency in both Swedish and English, spoken and written.

Responsibilities

• Identify and pursue new business opportunities within the Swedish defence industry.
• Build and nurture a strategic network with decision-makers and project managers in defence.
• Drive and follow up a long-term project pipeline.
• Coordinate with suppliers regarding material needs and delivery times.
• Communicate market insights and customer needs to the product team at the parent company.
• Follow up and report sales statistics and pipeline status internally to the CEO.

Skills

B2B sales

defence industry knowledge

long sales cycles

commercial mindset

structured working

communication skills

materials understanding

Swedish-English fluency

Education

University degree in engineering or business

Job description

Biesterfeld is scaling up fast — and looking for a driven business developer ready to lead the company’s push into the Swedish and Nordic defence sector. This is a rare chance to step into a strategically critical role and help build a business, not just manage one.

Biesterfeld’s composite materials already serve sectors from marine, oil & gas and transport to renewable energy, aviation and defence. We bring an established customer portfolio, strong defence sales, solutions for virtually any application or production process, and the right certifications for every industry we operate in.

We’re looking for someone who knows how business gets done in defence: a relationship-builder who spots opportunities where advanced materials make a real difference, and who wants to become a key driver of Biesterfeld’s continued growth — backed by a strong organisation and a portfolio of world-class material solutions.

About Biesterfeld Sweden

Part of the Biesterfeld Group — one of Europe’s leading distributors of specialty chemicals, composite materials, polymers and technical solutions, founded in 1906 and active in more than 30 countries. The Swedish operation, based in Norrköping and Malmö, is the exclusive Nordic distributor for several world-leading suppliers, including carbon fibre and advanced composite solutions for the aerospace, space and defence industries.

The Role

As Business Development Manager, you’ll take ownership of Biesterfeld’s composite materials business — spanning both defence and the broader composites industry — and drive its continued growth, with a sharp focus on strengthening our position in the Swedish and Nordic defence sector.

This role combines strategic business building with hands-on sales. You’ll be the driving force behind new business opportunities, long-term customer relationships and growth in a prioritised market. As the key link between Biesterfeld’s customers and our internal organisation, you’ll shape business models, drive dialogue, and deliver competitive solutions — all with significant commercial responsibility and internal product and specialist functions supporting you on technical matters.

You’ll build long-term relationships with strategically important players across the Swedish defence value chain, including procurement authorities, prime contractors, solution integrators and subcontractors.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify and pursue new business opportunities within the Swedish defence industry
• Build and nurture a strategic network with the right decision-makers and project managers within the defence sector
• Drive and follow up a long-term project pipeline
• Coordinate with suppliers regarding material needs and delivery times
• Communicate market insights and customer needs to the product team at the parent company
• Follow up and report sales statistics and pipeline status internally to the CEO

Your Profile

You’re a commercially driven business developer who thrives in complex environments and builds business through trust — someone who knows how to develop business in large organisations and is energised by finding opportunities, creating dialogue, and converting relationships into results.

A deep technical background in materials matters less than knowing how to navigate and sell within complex, project-oriented organisations. You’re business-minded, solution-focused, and enjoy taking ownership of driving business forward.

We’d like you to bring:

• Experience in B2B sales or business development towards industrial customers, preferably within technical sales or complex solutions
• A background in, or a good understanding of, the defence industry, for example through a commercial role at a defence player, supplier, or related industry
• Experience with longer and complex sales processes where relationship-building and persistence are crucial
• Strong commercial understanding and the ability to identify needs, develop business opportunities, and create value in complex deals
• A structured and independent way of working, with the ability to drive business from first contact to an established long-term relationship
• Good communication skills and the ability to build strong relationships with customers, partners, and internal teams
• Basic technical understanding of advanced materials and why material choice is business-critical
• Relevant university education in engineering, business, or equivalent experience
• Fluency in both Swedish and English, spoken and written

Application & Contact

This recruitment is being handled exclusively by Compass. For a confidential conversation about the role, please contact:

We review applications on a rolling basis — apply today. All enquiries are treated in strict confidence.