Business Development Manager-Aerospace
We are seeking an experienced Business Development Manager - Aerospace to drive strategic growth across France and Europe from our Toulouse office, one of the world's premier aerospace hubs. This position is responsible for developing new business opportunities, expanding relationships with key aerospace customers, and growing revenue across commercial aviation, defense, space, and advanced air mobility markets.
The successful candidate will work closely with engineering, operations, and program management teams to develop customer-focused solutions while building long-term partnerships with OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and aerospace manufacturers. Experience selling complex technical products or engineering services into aerospace organizations is highly desirable. This profile closely aligns with current aerospace business development roles in the Toulouse market.
Key Responsibilities
Business Development
- Develop and execute strategic sales plans to achieve annual revenue and profitability targets.
- Identify and qualify new business opportunities within commercial aerospace, defense, space, and emerging aviation markets.
- Build strong relationships with executive decision-makers, engineering leaders, procurement organizations, and program managers.
- Develop account strategies for major aerospace customers including OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and emerging technology companies.
- Manage the complete sales lifecycle from prospecting through contract negotiation and award.
- Prepare commercial proposals, quotations, and responses to Requests for Proposal (RFPs) and Requests for Quotation (RFQs).
Key Account Management
- Grow strategic customer relationships through regular executive engagement.
- Identify opportunities to expand services across existing accounts.
- Coordinate customer visits, technical presentations, and executive reviews.
- Maintain a robust sales pipeline using CRM tools.
- Monitor aerospace market trends and competitor activity.
- Identify opportunities related to new aircraft programs, propulsion technologies, space systems, and defense modernization.
- Support strategic planning by providing market intelligence and customer insights.
- Represent the company at major aerospace exhibitions and industry events.
Cross-Functional Leadership
- Collaborate with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Finance, and Program Management to develop winning customer solutions.
- Support pricing strategies and commercial negotiations.
- Coordinate internal resources to ensure successful project execution after contract award.
- Ensure high customer satisfaction throughout the project lifecycle.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Aerospace, or a related discipline.
- MBA or Master's degree preferred.
- 5-10 years of experience in aerospace business development, technical sales, or key account management.
- Proven success selling complex technical products, engineering services, manufacturing solutions, or testing services.
- Experience working with long sales cycles and multi-million-euro opportunities.
- Strong understanding of commercial aerospace, defense, or space markets.
- Experience managing international customer relationships.
Preferred Industry Experience
Experience working with or selling to organizations such as:
- Airbus
- Thales
- Liebherr Aerospace
- Collins Aerospace
- Rolls-Royce
- GE Aerospace
- ArianeGroup
Technical Knowledge
- Aerospace manufacturing
- Materials and process technologies
- Aerospace testing and certification
- AS9100 Quality Management Systems
- Supply chain management
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Consultative selling
- Executive relationship management
- Negotiation and influencing skills
- Customer-focused mindset
- Excellent presentation and communication skills
- Commercial acumen
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Results-driven with strong analytical skills