Business Development Manager

The Director of Sales is responsible for leading and executing the company’s sales strategy within the aerospace and defense manufacturing sector. This role drives revenue growth, develops key customer relationships (OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and defense contractors), and manages a high-performing sales team. The ideal candidate has deep industry knowledge, a proven track record in complex technical sales, and experience navigating long sales cycles and government/defense contracting environments. Key Responsibilities Develop and implement strategic sales plans to achieve company revenue and growth objectives Lead, mentor, and manage the sales team, including regional managers and account executives Identify and pursue new business opportunities with aerospace OEMs, Tier 1/Tier 2 suppliers, and defense contractors Build and maintain strong relationships with key customers, including engineering, procurement, and executive stakeholders Drive the full sales cycle: prospecting, RFQ/RFP response, contract negotiation, and program launch Collaborate with engineering, operations, and program management to ensure alignment on customer requirements and delivery capabilities Analyze market trends, competitor activity, and customer needs to inform strategy and pricing Support long-term agreements (LTAs), pricing strategies, and margin improvement initiatives Represent the company at industry events, trade shows, and customer meetings Ensure compliance with aerospace and defense regulations (e.g., ITAR, export controls) Develop forecasts, budgets, and sales performance metrics; report to executive leadership Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, or related field (MBA preferred) 10+ years of sales experience in aerospace, defense, or precision manufacturing 5+ years in a leadership or management role Strong understanding of aerospace manufacturing processes (machining, fabrication, assemblies, etc.) Experience selling to major OEMs and defense contractors Proven success managing long sales cycles and complex technical solutions Familiarity with RFQ/RFP processes and contract negotiations Knowledge of regulatory requirements (ITAR, FAR/DFARS) Excellent leadership, communication, and negotiation skills Ability to travel as needed (typically 25–50%) Preferred Skills Existing relationships within aerospace OEMs or defense primes Experience with ERP/CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) Background in engineered products or custom manufacturing Strong financial acumen and pricing strategy experience Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) Revenue growth and quota attainment New business wins and contract value Customer retention and satisfaction Sales pipeline development and conversion rates #J-18808-Ljbffr