Business Development Manager

Business Development Manager

Join South West Metal Finishing to Drive Growth Across Aerospace, Defence & Advanced Manufacturing with a Competitive Package & Travel Opportunities. This is an exciting strategic hire as the business expands its national footprint and partners with global OEMs, offering a competitive salary, meaningful bonus potential and opportunities to represent a UK industry leader. You ll benefit from ongoing professional development and working with one of the UK s most technically accredited surface engineering businesses.

About South West Metal Finishing

South West Metal Finishing is a world-class surface engineering partner with over 90 years of expertise, supplying high-quality metal finishing solutions across sectors including Aerospace, Defence, Automotive, Nuclear and General Engineering. We operate multiple purpose-built facilities in the South West and hold ISO 9001, AS9100 and NADCAP accreditations, working with major OEMs and primes. With continual investment in technology, training and quality standards, SWMF is proud of its culture of innovation, teamwork and excellence - and we re looking for a new Business Development Manager to grow our strategic relationships and revenue.

What You ll Do

As Business Development Manager, you ll play a key role in shaping the future growth of South West Metal Finishing. You ll focus on developing profitable, long-term relationships while identifying new opportunities across aerospace, defence and advanced manufacturing markets.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Proactively identifying, developing and converting new business opportunities across target sectors, with a particular focus on strategic and high-value customers.
• Growing existing customer accounts by spotting opportunities for additional services, increased volumes and long-term partnerships.
• Working closely with internal teams including operations, quality, engineering and marketing to develop commercially sound, technically credible solutions for customers.
• Leading customer meetings, site visits and presentations, confidently representing SWMF s capabilities, accreditations and value proposition.
• Supporting bid activity and proposals, including contributing to pricing strategies alongside the Director of Sales & Marketing.
• Keeping up to date with market trends, customer challenges and competitor activity to ensure SWMF remains well-positioned in a competitive landscape.
• Representing the business at trade shows, exhibitions and industry events, acting as a visible and professional ambassador for the brand.
• Maintaining accurate records of activity, pipeline and progress, providing clear updates and insights to senior leadership.

What We re Looking For

We re looking for a commercially minded Business Development professional who enjoys building relationships, understands technical environments and is motivated by long-term growth rather than quick wins.

You re likely to be a strong fit if you have:

• Proven experience in a Business Development, Sales or Commercial role within engineering, manufacturing, aerospace, defence or a related technical environment.
• An engineering qualification / background or a strong technical understanding gained through experience.
• A consultative, relationship-led approach to sales, with the ability to understand customer needs and translate them into practical solutions.
• Strong commercial awareness, with experience contributing to pricing discussions, proposals or bid activity.
• Confidence communicating with a wide range of stakeholders, from shop-floor teams to senior decision-makers.
• The ability to work independently, manage your own pipeline and prioritise effectively while collaborating as part of a wider team.
• Willingness to travel nationally as part of the role, with occasional international travel where required.

Most importantly, we re looking for someone who is curious, commercially driven and relationship-focused, and who wants to grow with a business that invests in quality, people and long-term success.

Benefits You ll Love

We offer a range of compelling benefits designed to support your success and wellbeing:

• Competitive base salary up to £50,000 plus performance-related bonus
• Company Car / Car Allowance
• 25 days holiday + Banks
• Opportunities for career progression in a growing engineering business.
• Structured onboarding and professional development support.
• Work with a highly accredited company trusted by global engineering leaders.
• Flexible working arrangements and supportive team culture.
• Relocation support considered for the right candidate, recognising the broad South West catchment.

Hours: Full-time, Monday to Friday
Office Arrangements: Mix of office and customer-facing engagement, with regular travel to customer sites

Click to Apply now.