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The Vertical Sales Manager will be responsible for establishing, leading, and growing a new Aerospace & Defence sales vertical within an established UK-based industrial automation solutions provider. This is a development led sales role suited to an individual with vast experience in the aerospace and defence sector who can bring market knowledge, relationships, and credibility to drive entry into the sector and deliver sustainable long term growth.
Job Responsibility:
Define and execute the commercial strategy for the Aerospace & Defence vertical from initial market entry through to scale
Build a structured business plan including revenue targets, pipeline development, and growth milestones
Monitor market trends, competitor activity, and customer requirements to inform strategy
Lead all new business development activity within the Aerospace & Defence sector
Build and manage a strong pipeline of opportunities, including complex, long cycle bids and tenders
Engage with senior customer stakeholders across engineering, procurement, supply chain, and executive levels
Drive high-value commercial negotiations and contract closures
Support marketing activity by contributing to sector messaging, value propositions, and industry positioning
Feed customer and market insights back into product strategy and supplier engagement
Build long-term, trusted partnerships with key customers and strategic accounts
Ensure a high standard of customer engagement, service delivery, and account development
Ensure awareness of, and compliance with, aerospace and defence sector requirements including quality standards, export controls, and regulated procurement processes
Support bid governance, risk assessment, and internal approval processes
Own and report on sales performance, forecasts, and KPIs for the vertical
Provide regular updates to senior leadership on progress, risks, and opportunities
Requirements:
Significant senior sales or commercial leadership experience within Aerospace and/or Defence
Previous experience working within the engineering/ automation space
Proven track record of building and growing sales within complex, regulated, technical environments
Strong understanding of aerospace/defence procurement cycles, tendering, and long sales processes
Established network of industry contacts
Demonstrated ability to operate strategically while remaining hands-on and commercially driven
Experience negotiating and closing high-value, technically complex contracts
Experience launching or scaling a new market, sector, or business unit
Background in industrial automation, electrical, electronic, or engineered technical solutions
Exposure to government, MoD, or defence prime contractor supply chains