Sales Manager – Advanced Communication Systems

Banner Lane is exclusively retained by a specialist engineering business to recruit a Sales Manager into its solutions division. This new role is ideal for someone technically minded and commercially driven who wants to build a career selling advanced communication systems.

The company

Our client is an established, profitable engineering SME based in Oxfordshire. It is part of a FTSE 100 defence and security group but keeps the autonomy, pace and personality of a smaller company. Its advanced communication technologies are used worldwide in satellite ground stations, test laboratories, maritime communications, broadcast and defence.

The solutions division combines these technologies into tailored communication systems for defence, government and commercial customers. It has recently developed and proven a set of core solutions, and now needs someone to put them in front of the right customers.

The role

This is a customer-facing new business role. You won't be building a sales function from scratch. Sales collateral, demonstration kit, an established rep network and a dedicated Customer Solutions Engineer are already in place. Your job is to use them to create momentum and win orders.

You will:

• Identify and qualify new customers in target markets including satcom, maritime and test and measurement

• Work consultatively with customers to understand their requirements and shape the right solution with the engineering team

• Manage opportunities through to order in Salesforce, including producing quotes and liaising with engineering and production

• Prepare sales pitches and presentations, and support proposal development

• Hand longer-term strategic pursuits to the Business Development Lead, and take on shorter-term opportunities from them

• Attend shows and conferences, and feed market intelligence back to the division's Director

The business prefers face-to-face meetings and phone calls to email. You'll spend real time in front of customers.

About you

Our client is open to a range of backgrounds. You might be early in a sales career, or moving into sales from a technical, engineering or operator role. What matters most:

• Technical grounding: a degree, HND or NVQ in a relevant technical subject, or hands-on experience with RF, electronics or communications equipment

• Commercial drive: experience or clear potential in consultative (not transactional) selling, ideally in a technology environment

• Character: enthusiasm, curiosity, and the confidence to pick up the phone, ask questions and walk into new conversations

• Teamwork: comfort working in a small team and handing opportunities across when that's the right call

Exposure to satcom, RF, telecoms, defence, maritime, aerospace or test and measurement is a plus. Defence experience is beneficial but not essential.

What's on offer

• Competitive salary plus a 15–30% performance bonus

• 6.5% employer pension contribution

• 25 days' holiday, with the option to buy more

• Share purchase plan, cycle to work scheme and employee assistance programme

• Early Friday finish (core hours end at 15:00 or 16:00)

• Flexible home or office working

• A collaborative, sociable engineering culture with the stability of a major group behind it

How to apply

Apply via CV-Library with your CV. Shortlisted candidates will have a confidential initial conversation with Banner Lane, and full client details will be shared at that stage