Business Development Executive

As part of their global business development team supporting further growth from new and existing customers for our clients' range of defence vehicle suspension, transmissions, engines and drives, we are seeking a new Business Development Executive (BDE). Reporting to the Business Development Director and based from their Bath manufacturing site as well as working closely with their European and US sister companies, the BDE services existing accounts, obtains orders and establishes new accounts by planning and organizing daily work schedule to call upon assigned new accounts or by developing new potential contacts through trade shows and conference attendance.

Within this manufacturing environment, the BDE must work at pace across multiple pursuits, collaborating closely with the Commercial and Engineering functions of the group as prospects move through the business development process from prospects into opportunities and eventually into long term sustainable relationships. The BDE will use their exceptional customer relationship skills to develop new customers and maintain relationships with existing customers.

In addition, the BDE will also:

• be the capture lead for a significant part their order intake plan. They will be a capable and dynamic team player, working confidently with a range of international customers and able to flex between leading and supporting multicultural ad-hoc teams
• work with specialists from across the business to enhance the probability of successful capture and help drive operational efficiency improvements. In particular they will lead the business development process and work closely with Engineering and Commercial colleagues in shaping pursuits, winning work and liaising with customers. Technical responsibility rests with the group Design Authority. Business capture strategy responsibility rests with the BDE
• complete opportunity and pursuit identification, requirement shaping, capture planning, concept generation, customer briefings and demonstrations, bid/no bid decisions, proposal writing, price-to-win, customer negotiations and contract award
• be required to prepare for and run company visits, equipment demonstrations, shows and exhibitions. They will organise and lead proposal writing, manage individual pursuits and budgets including expenses. They will be responsible for capturing their delegated pursuits and delivering on the group's 10-year order intake plan
• develop marketplace information, customer and competitor intelligence to inform Group product development and business development strategy
• communicate the 'voice of customer' to the leadership team and manage customer expectations
• lead the development of bid and proposal, develop the price to win, provide inputs to the cost/price estimates and lead negotiations. Draft, review, negotiate and agree agreements, MoU's, contracts and other legal documents
• coordinate prospective and existing customer visits (inbound and outbound) with senior management and colleagues. Ensure secure, safe and productive itineraries
• proactively participate in continuous improvement initiatives that improve the business, processes, procedures, working practices and people
• the role is in a key position regarding proper business ethics, export / trade compliance, fraud prevention and anti-corruption measures. They will at all time work in compliance with the Groups code of conduct, the UK Bribery Act and the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act

To support this role, you should ideally have:

• A knowledge of suspension, transmissions or related driveline technologies and markets / of physics-based vehicle dynamics modelling and simulation and virtual or extended reality-based immersive simulation solutions / of environmental control and power generation systems / knowledge of high integrity engineering service provision, such as design services, quality manufacturing, supply chain and programme management
• A comprehensive understanding of capture planning including price-to-win
• Experience of defence, military , automotive or high integrity engineering
• Experience with UK, CA, US, DE trade compliance legislation for defence products and services
• A Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Science or equivalent experience
• An existing network of relevant international contacts in government and industry
• Able to rapidly understand and confidently promote complex engineered solutions to address customer problems
• Willing and able to undertake significant and extended international travel
• Be able to work in the UK and internationally and support UK SC requirements

If you feel you offer the experience, skills and interest to support this mid to senior level, growth focused position, then please apply directly.

Your CV will be forwarded to Jonathan Lee Recruitment, a leading engineering and manufacturing recruitment consultancy established in 1978. The services advertised by Jonathan Lee Recruitment are those of an Employment Agency.

In order for your CV to be processed effectively, please ensure your name, email address, phone number and location (post code OR town OR county, as a minimum) are included