Director Business Development and Sales - Aerospace and Defense

Job Description

Job Description

Director of Business Development & Sales

Midwest Precision – Eastlake, Ohio

Salary

$130,000 – $145,000 annually

Position Overview

Midwest Precision is seeking an experienced Director of Business Development & Sales to lead strategic growth initiatives within a high-precision CNC machining and manufacturing environment serving aerospace, defense, energy, fluid power, and industrial markets.

This is not a general sales management role. We are seeking a candidate with demonstrated success in precision manufacturing, CNC machining, aerospace/defense manufacturing, or other highly regulated industrial environments requiring technical understanding, operational alignment, and long-term customer development.

The ideal candidate understands the demands of AS9100 and ISO-certified manufacturing environments, is comfortable navigating complex customer requirements, and can build trusted relationships with OEMs, buyers, engineers, and operational leaders. This role will also provide leadership, accountability, and development support to a small sales and customer support team.

Midwest Precision is an AS9100D and ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturer and ITAR registered facility specializing in complex machined components, tight tolerances, and challenging materials including stainless steel, titanium, nickel alloys, hardened alloys, aluminum, brass, and engineered plastics.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic sales and business development initiatives aligned with company growth objectives

• Lead, coach, and support a small sales and customer support team while establishing clear expectations and accountability

• Foster a professional, responsive, customer-focused culture within the sales function

• Identify and pursue new business opportunities within aerospace, defense, energy, industrial, and precision manufacturing markets

• Build and maintain strong customer relationships with OEMs, supply chain leaders, purchasing teams, engineers, and manufacturing decision-makers

• Collaborate closely with operations, engineering, quality, and leadership teams to ensure alignment between customer expectations and manufacturing capabilities

• Lead quoting strategy, customer negotiations, contract discussions, and account growth initiatives

• Analyze market trends, competitive positioning, customer demand, and manufacturing opportunities

• Support long-term revenue growth through both new customer acquisition and expansion of existing accounts

• Represent the company professionally during customer visits, audits, trade events, and strategic meetings

• Maintain strong understanding of customer technical requirements, manufacturing processes, quality expectations, and compliance standards

• Drive accountability for sales pipeline management, forecasting, customer responsiveness, and follow-through

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 7+ years of business development, sales leadership, or account management experience within precision manufacturing, CNC machining, aerospace, defense, or industrial manufacturing environments

• Prior leadership or management experience overseeing sales, account management, customer service, or business development personnel

• Proven success developing business within technically complex or regulated manufacturing industries

• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, machining processes, quoting, lead times, and customer production requirements

• Experience working within AS9100, ISO 9001, ITAR, aerospace, defense, medical device, automotive, or similar compliance-driven industries

• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with engineering, procurement, operational, and executive-level stakeholders

• Strong business acumen, communication skills, leadership capability, and strategic thinking skills

• Experience managing large customer accounts and driving revenue growth

• Ability to travel as needed for customer meetings and business development activities

Preferred Qualifications

• Existing relationships within aerospace, defense, CNC machining, or industrial manufacturing sectors

• Experience selling precision machined components or contract manufacturing services

• Familiarity with complex geometries, tight-tolerance machining, and engineered materials

• Experience supporting long-cycle sales processes and strategic manufacturing partnerships

What Will Make Someone Successful in This Role

• Ability to understand both the technical and commercial side of manufacturing

• Strong credibility with customers in regulated industries

• Ability to lead and develop a small team while maintaining accountability and responsiveness

• Ability to communicate effectively with operations, engineering, and executive leadership

• Strategic mindset balanced with operational awareness and execution

• Professionalism, responsiveness, and relationship-building skills

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive base salary: $130,000 – $145,000

• Performance incentive opportunity

• Health, dental, and vision benefits

• 401(k)

• Paid time off

• Opportunity to play a key leadership role within a growing precision manufacturing organization