Full job descriptionBusiness Development Manager – Fabrication & Engineered Solutions
Location: Birmingham (Hybrid)
Salary: £55,000 – £70,000 + benefits (dependent on experience)
A long-established UK engineering manufacturer is looking to strengthen its commercial team with a Business Development Manager focused on fabrication and engineered solutions.
The business has a strong track record in high-quality fabrication, welding, machining, assembly and related services. They already supply major industrial customers and want to significantly grow their presence in defence and other technically demanding markets.
This role is about finding, shaping and winning profitable work – particularly in MOD/defence and adjacent sectors – while also broadening the customer base across wider industrial engineering.
The OpportunityAs Business Development Manager you will:
*Drive new business growth for fabrication and manufacturing services across defence and wider industrial engineering markets.
*Target organisations that buy fabricated structures, welded assemblies, machined components and complete build solutions.
*Own opportunities from first contact through to quotation and order, working closely with engineering, estimating and production to make sure proposals are realistic and deliverable.
*Help deepen the company’s footprint in defence and other strategic sectors, building a medium/long-term pipeline as well as near-term wins.
This is a hybrid role based from Birmingham: typically 2–3 days a week in the office/on-site, with the remaining time spent visiting customers or working from home as appropriate. But the business is open to working in a way that suits the successful candidates’ requirements.
Key Responsibilities*Identify and win new customers in defence and aligned industrial sectors.
*Map target accounts and decision-makers (procurement, engineering, project teams) and build a plan to penetrate them.
*Generate and qualify leads via direct outreach, networking, referrals and relevant industry events.
*Arrange and attend customer visits across the UK to understand technical and commercial requirements.
*Translate customer needs into workable fabrication/manufacturing solutions with internal engineering and production teams.
*Prepare and follow up quotations, manage negotiations and close orders in line with margin expectations.
*Maintain an accurate sales pipeline and forecast, reporting on activity, opportunities and likely wins.
*Look for opportunities to grow existing accounts into longer-term, multi-project relationships.
*Represent the company professionally at customer sites, audits, trade shows and sector events.
What You’ll BringMust-haves
*Proven experience in business development or technical sales within engineering, fabrication or manufacturing.
*A track record of winning new business and converting prospects into ongoing customers.
*Strong commercial acumen and confident negotiation skills.
*Ability to build rapport with buyers, engineers and project managers and adapt your style accordingly.
*Self-starter mentality – comfortable planning your own activity and being accountable for results.
*Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel to customers across the UK.
Useful / desirable
*Knowledge of fabrication, welding, machining or metalworking processes.
*Experience selling into defence or other regulated/technical industries.
*Existing contacts within MOD/defence primes, tier-1s or major industrial OEMs.
*Ability to understand engineering drawings and technical specifications.
What Success Looks Like*A visible increase in qualified opportunities and overall pipeline value.
*New, strategically important customers brought on board.
*Growth in fabrication and engineered-solution revenues and margin.
*Strong, repeat business from accounts you’ve developed.
*A clearly improved presence in defence and other agreed target sectors.
Package & Working Setup*Salary: £55,000 – £70,000 per annum, depending on experience and sector background.
*Location: Birmingham – hybrid mix of office/site, home and UK customer visits.
*Travel: UK-wide customer meetings as required; typically not a heavy overnight or overseas travel role.
Our client is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified individuals.
If you’re a commercially driven sales professional from an engineering or manufacturing background and want to shape the growth of a respected UK manufacturer, please apply or get in touch for a confidential discussion.