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Technical Sales & Business Development Manager
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Our Client
Our client has spent decades earning a reputation built on technical credibility. Navigation, communications, surveillance, military comms. Defence and paramilitary customers who return year after year because they trust the expertise behind every solution delivered.
They are now hiring their first dedicated commercial person. This is not a role for a traditional salesperson. It is a role for someone who genuinely understands marine electronics in a defence or naval setting and can walk into a room with a technically demanding customer and be credible from the first sentence.
If you have built your career in marine electronics, naval systems or defence communications and you are starting to think about where that expertise could take you commercially, this role is worth your attention.
The Role
Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you will be the driving force behind both nurturing existing customer relationships and developing new business. You will take day-to-day commercial pressure off the MD while becoming the go-to expert for customers across a portfolio that includes:
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- Navigation systems
- Internal and external communications systems
- Military communications systems
- Surveillance systems
- Systems for autonomous vessels
Sales cycles here range from straightforward orders to complex projects spanning years. You will be comfortable across that whole spectrum.
What You Will Do
- Manage and grow existing customer relationships, many of which span years and are built on genuine trust
- Proactively generate new leads and open opportunities independently
- Advise technical and non-technical buyers, specify the right solution and write clear, compelling proposals
- Own your proposals end to end, with senior sign-off available on higher-value work
- Liaise with engineering and admin teams to make sure delivery matches what was promised
- Represent the business at customer sites and industry exhibitions
What Matters
Solid, hands-on experience with navigation, communications or surveillance systems in a marine, defence or related setting is the single most important requirement. You need to hit the ground running as a credible expert.
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Beyond that: someone personable and trustworthy who builds relationships rather than chases the hard close, who can write a professional proposal independently and who understands that a happy customer is usually a repeat customer.
A full UK driving licence is required. SC clearance eligibility is essential and will be fully supported through the process.
What You Get
A business with a strong reputation, a loyal customer base and genuine room to grow. A close-knit, respectful team with very low staff turnover. Direct access to the MD without being micromanaged. A rare opportunity to shape the commercial side of a well-respected operation that has always prioritised doing great work over chasing volume.
from £55,000 plus discretionary bonus. Southampton area, office-based with travel to customers and exhibitions as required.
If this sounds like the right next step, get in touch.
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