Sales & Commercial Manager

GKN Aerospace; Newington (CT); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

GKN Aerospace is seeking a Sales & Commercial Director/Manager, Material Solutions US, to lead the development and execution of the US commercial growth strategy. You will drive revenue growth and manage strategic relationships across aerospace, defense, energy, and adjacent markets.

The role requires building and leading cross-functional teams, coordinating with Program Management, and pursuing government funding and incentives to accelerate expansion.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Marketing, or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of experience in aerospace, advanced manufacturing, engineering, business development, sales, marketing, or leadership roles.
• Proven success developing and capturing new business opportunities and driving revenue growth.
• Experience managing strategic customer relationships and commercial negotiations.
• Leadership experience leading teams, projects, or cross-functional initiatives.
• Strong understanding of aerospace industry practices and market dynamics.
• Excellent communication, presentation, networking, and relationship-building skills.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen, including forecasting and budgeting.
• Ability to influence stakeholders and engage executive-level audiences.
• US Person or eligible for government licensing to work with controlled technology.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the US commercial strategy to drive revenue growth and achieve annual sales objectives.
• Identify, qualify, and capture new business opportunities across aerospace, defense, energy, automotive, space, and other markets.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with customers, partners, government entities, and industry stakeholders.
• Lead sales planning, forecasting, account management, and business development activities.
• Coordinate commercial pursuits, proposals, and bid activities with cross-functional teams.
• Drive brand awareness and market positioning through customer engagement and events.
• Monitor market trends and emerging technologies to inform strategy and investment decisions.
• Pursue and secure government funding, grants, and incentives for growth and expansion.
• Support strategic business planning, including partnerships and new market development.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Operations, Programs, and Defense teams to align commercial with operations.
• Contribute to expansion of US manufacturing capabilities and growth initiatives.
• Champion sustainability and responsible business practices.

Skills

Relationship-building with customers

Communication and networking

Strategic sales planning

Negotiations and deal-making

Executive-level influence

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Marketing, or related field

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

Fantastic challenges. Amazing opportunities.

GKN Aerospace is reimagining air travel: going further, faster and greener! Fuelled by great people whose expertise and creativity sets the standards in our industry, we’re inspired by the opportunities to innovate and break boundaries. We’re proud to play a part in protecting the world’s democracies. And we’re committed to putting sustainability at the centre of everything we do, opening up and protecting our planet. With over 16,000 employees across 32 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers and achieved sales of £3.6bn in 2025. There are no limits to where you can take your career.

Job Summary

The Sales & Commercial Director/Manager, Material Solutions US is responsible for developing and executing the commercial growth strategy for the United States market. This role is a key contributor to Material Solutions' ambitious growth plan, driving revenue expansion while strengthening the company's market position across aerospace and adjacent industries.

The position leads business development, sales, marketing, customer engagement, strategic partnerships, and funding initiatives within the United States. The successful candidate will cultivate strong relationships with aerospace OEMs, government agencies, industry stakeholders, and strategic partners to accelerate business growth and support the expansion of Material Solutions' capabilities and manufacturing footprint in the US.

Job Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the US commercial strategy to drive revenue growth and achieve annual sales objectives.
• Identify, qualify, and capture new business opportunities across aerospace, defense, energy, automotive, space, and other targeted markets.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with customers, partners, government entities, and industry stakeholders.
• Lead sales planning, forecasting, account management, and business development activities to meet growth targets.
• Coordinate commercial pursuits, proposals, and bid activities in partnership with Program Management and cross-functional teams.
• Drive brand awareness and market positioning through customer engagement, industry events, and marketing initiatives.
• Monitor market trends, competitive activity, and emerging technologies to inform business strategy and investment decisions.
• Pursue and secure government funding, grants, and incentives that support business growth, capability development, and facility expansion.
• Support strategic business planning, including new market development, partnerships, joint ventures, and product opportunities.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Operations, Programs, and Defense teams to align commercial objectives with operational execution.
• Contribute to the expansion of US manufacturing capabilities and long‑term growth initiatives.
• Champion sustainability, circular economy efforts, and company environmental objectives.
• Provide leadership and influence across internal teams while serving as a key representative of Material Solutions in the US market
• Perform other duties, responsibilities, and projects as assigned to support business objectives and organizational needs.

Job Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Marketing, or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in aerospace, advanced manufacturing, engineering, business development, sales, marketing, or customer‑facing leadership roles.
• Demonstrated success developing and capturing new business opportunities and driving revenue growth.
• Experience managing strategic customer relationships and commercial negotiations.
• Prior leadership experience leading teams, projects, or cross‑functional initiatives.
• Strong understanding of aerospace industry practices, customer requirements, and competitive market dynamics.
• Strong business development, sales, and strategic planning capabilities.
• Excellent communication, presentation, networking, and relationship‑building skills.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen, including forecasting, budgeting, and business case development.
• Proven ability to influence stakeholders and effectively engage executive‑level audiences.
• Must be a US Person (Citizen or Green Card Holder) or have the ability to obtain the necessary Government licensing to work with controlled technology and products.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree or MBA.
• Experience within aerospace propulsion, additive manufacturing, advanced materials, or related technologies.
• Knowledge of government funding programs, grants, and incentive opportunities.
• Experience supporting manufacturing expansion, operational growth initiatives, or strategic partnerships.
• Demonstrated ability to identify market trends and translate opportunities into sustainable business growth.
• Experience working with Aerospace OEMs, Defense customers, or adjacent industrial markets.
• Strong project management and business planning experience.
• Ability to work effectively in a global, matrixed organization.

We’ll offer you fantastic challenges and amazing opportunities. This is your chance to be part of an organisation that has proven itself to be at the cutting edge of our industry; and is committed to pushing the boundaries even further. And with some of the best training on offer in the industry, who knows how far you can go?

A Great Place to work needs a Great Way of Working

Everyone is welcome to apply to GKN. We believe that we can only achieve our ambitions through a coming together of diverse minds who enjoy collaborating in an inspirational environment. Through our commitment to diversity, inclusion and belonging and by living our five powerful principles we’ve created a culture where everyone feels welcome to contribute. It’s a culture that won us ‘The Best Workplace Culture Award’. By embracing and celebrating what makes us unique we encourage everyone to bring their full self to work.

We’re also committed to providing an accessible recruitment process, so if you require reasonable adjustments at any stage during our recruitment process please get in touch and let us know.

We arethe place where human dreams, plus humanendeavour, shape the future of aerospace innovation and technology.