Job description
Job description
At Safran Seats, we are unique within aerospace, as we interface with both the world's biggest airlines and airframers alike, with the largest seats portfolio of all seats suppliers. One day you could be liaising with one of the world's largest airframers, and the next, some of the biggest airline brands around the world!
In the UK, Safran Seats specialises solely in the First Class and Business Class seating markets for wide body aircraft, with industrial and engineering teams in Cwmbran and Newport, Wales and Brackley, England.
As Sales Director, your role will be to create, identify, develop and win new profitable business opportunities. You will manage the tender proposal and bidding process for assigned Airline Customer and to undertake all account management activities necessary to maintain productive and profitable relationships with new and existing clients. You will be a member of the Business Development team reporting directly to the Vice President of Sales.
Key Responsibilities & Duties include;
Work closely with business development and commercial teams to facilitate preparation of winning bids including with the wider Commercial Organisation.
- Lead sales campaigns for all 3 Business Units (Safran Seat GB, Safran Seats FR, Safran Seats USA), working with each of the 3 VP sales in the relevant business unit
- Own and manage the customer relationship at a senior level for a strategically important customer, as defined by EVP Sales
- Lead and work closely with cross-functional business team to facilitate preparation of winning bids including with the wider Safran Seats Sales Organisation
- Identify new leads in the assigned Airline customers
- Lead campaigns for all seating products across the market sectors as per company objectives. This will include participation in Industry events
- Evaluate market opportunities; identify market size, segmentation and viable routes to entry
- Support the development of the Medium Term Plan (MTP) for the business with committed sales for target airlines
- Take responsibility for customer account management, directly supporting commercial and technical account queries whilst coordinating with internal departments to seek resolution
- Build profitable relationships with existing and new customers and enhance brand image
- Accountable to follow up on accounts after contract signature to ensure 100% Customer Satisfaction, including ongoing management of all commercial matters throughout the life of the program
Complementary description
We focus on:
Our people
These are our four People Fundamentals that underpin everything we do at Safran:
- We believe in and fostering the conditions for diversity and inclusion to thrive
- We develop our colleagues skills and build opportunities so you can shape our future
- We create a trustworthy work place to support you, as you dare to act and innovate
- We encourage collaboration and mutual support between you and your colleagues
Sustainability
Our people are at the heart of our success, as we work together to achieve our mission: contributing to a safer and more sustainable aviation. We are tackling the biggest challenges in aerospace, with a commitment to work to decarbonise the industry by 2050.
Global Mobility
As part of the Safran Group, across our businesses we are market leaders in aerospace, defence and space; there is always potential for future mobility in the UK and internationally.
Job requirements
- Educated to degree level or equivalent
- Extensive demonstrable experience of working within a senior level sales / commercial management role, preferably within the aerospace industry
- Significant experience in negotiating large commercial contracts
- Technical awareness
- Show solid experience in working with strategic & highly complex commercial campaigns
- Exceptional business and commercial awareness
- Clear understanding of Marketing & early Product Positioning
- Polished and persuasive written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking, presentations and pitches
No candidate will meet every single desired qualification. If your experience looks a little different from what we've identified and you think you can bring value to the role, we'd love to hear from you!
Our employees are at the heart of our success, as we work together for our sustainable future. There are four People Fundamentals that underpin life at Safran:
- We believe in and promote diversity and inclusion as key values across our business
- We develop our colleagues skills and build opportunities so you can shape our future
- We create a trustworthy work place to support you, as you dare to act and innovate
- We encourage collaboration and mutual support for you and your colleagues
As a valued member of our team, these are just a few of the benefits you'll receive:
- 25 days holiday + UK Bank Holidays
- Benefits Programme, with a number of schemes such as cycle to work, technology savings, retail discounts and access to private healthcare
- Career Progressions opportunities such as company sponsorship and further training courses
- Family friendly policies including maternity, paternity, adoptive parents, shared parental leave, parental leave and flexible working
- Equality & Diversity initiatives with internal groups for workplace engagement and involvement
- STEM engagement with schools, colleges and universities and Charitable activities for all
Please apply and submit your CV today! We are recruiting for these position now, with a view to recruit as soon as possible. Once your CV has been reviewed, we will contact you with the next stages.
We want Safran Seats to be a workplace where everyone feels valued, can be themselves and know they can reach their full potential. We embrace and celebrate our differences through various initiatives and support colleagues through a number of staff networks.
We're committed to building a strong, diverse workforce and making Safran Seats an inclusive place to work.
Specificity of the job
There are extensive travel requirements with this role, both within the UK and internationally
Safran is an international high-technology group, operating in the aviation (propulsion, equipment and interiors), defence and space markets. Its core purpose is to contribute to a safer, more sustainable world, where air transport is more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Safran has a global presence, with 83,000 employees and sales of 19 billion euros in 2022 and holds, alone or in partnership, world or regional leadership positions in its core markets. Safran undertakes research and development programs to maintain the environmental priorities of its R&T and innovation roadmap.
Safran ranks among Forbes magazine's Top 30 best employers in the world.
Safran Seats is a world leader in aircraft passenger and crew seats. One million seats made by the company are now in service worldwide.