Director, Business Development

Are you passionate about technology or aviation? Come invent the solutions of tomorrow in the aerospace and defense industry, with an international group where innovation, teamwork and continuing, daily education are fundamental values. Join us!
Safran Cabin serves over 400 airlines and leasing companies globally and delivers to all airframe OEM manufacturers with a heritage spanning over 80 years in the industry.  

Summary:
The Business Development Director (BDD) is responsible for developing and advancing new business opportunities and securing profitable business. The BDD requires high level of customer engagement, often at the senior levels, plus the capability to coordinate successful integrated product offerings with other Safran Business Units.

Participate in the development and execution of the Strategic Plan to profitably and grow sales in the given territory. Provide regular forecasts and customer feedback for continued sales growth. This position requires a proven ability to network with the OEMs & Airlines, build and improve relationships, define market opportunities, manage expectations and successfully secure sales of new and promote existing products.

This position will focus on OEM Accounts.

Key Responsibilities:
•Contribute to a dynamic, highly creative, and competitive sales organization by aggressively pursuing new customers and enhancing relationships with existing customer base.
•Meeting with existing and potential key customers to build relationships and evaluate or promote business opportunities.
•Build trusted Customer relationships to secure new business and remain in close coordination after program awards (providing local support as required to Customer, PM and Engineering) to ensure successful project execution.
•Prepare definitive territory and business segment plans based on market research and competitive analyses to identify potential markets, customers and new products.
•Actively pursue new business and new customers.
•Ensure coordinated, responsive, and efficient service & problem resolution.
•Participate in sales presentations and negotiations as appropriate to ensure maximum impact.
•Formulate market and product development strategies (in conjunction with VP Sales) to support continued profitable market growth and create new markets.
•Detail competitive landscape and recommended approach to a successful outcome.
•Provide insight into Customer decision making.
•Develop and negotiate commercial agreements.
•Provide clear direction in structuring Customers proposal to best support a Customer’s expectations.
•Highly capable presentation skills supporting Customer visits, trade shows, public speaking, etc.
•Work independently without direct supervision.
•Ability to exercise great latitude for independent judgment.
•Ensure professional participation in key industry marketing and sales events.
•Participate in the development of bids and proposals that win business.

Complementary Description

•Requires a strong Customer focus and a personality capable of driving the organization to understand and respond to true customer demands while managing and balancing the needs of all other disciplines within the business.
•Must be a team player and possess strong interpersonal skills to manage difficult customer issues across departmental lines and within expectations of the corporate culture.
•Must be capable of working autonomously and maintaining a regular and flexible travel schedule to meet customer demands.

Strategically planned strong growth and geographic expansion demands a cohesive and effective sales effort to assure that customer and marketplace demands are being met actively and that opportunities are being reacted to.

A BDD will require an outgoing personality, broad strategic vision, and front line sales focus to drive the company forward to meet Strategic and tactical goals.

The position requires broad market comprehension in a dynamic global marketplace.

Strong performance in the position will drive the company to exceed expectation in accomplishment of the strategic and tactical goals.
•Reports to the Vice President of Sales and Marketing
•Interfaces on a daily basis with Customers, VP of Sales, other Sales Team Member, Customer Service, Product Support, Quality, Finance and others as required.

Job Requirements

•Requires a Bachelor’s degree or higher in Business, Marketing, Engineering and/or Project Management.
•Working knowledge Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
•Requires related experience in the Aerospace OEM and or Aftermarket direct sale of technical systems, services or products with a 10+ years in sales to OEMs, airlines & MROs
•Demonstrated success managing a sales territory or market
•Proven experience entering new markets, changing market scope, or adding value to existing products.
•Ability to accurately evaluate functionality, usability, and marketability of product features.
•Effective oral and written communications skills
•Strong skills in negotiating profitable contracts and pricing.

EEO Statement:
At Safran, diversity & inclusion is a source of richness that adds quality of life, performance, and innovation. We welcome diverse contributions and provide equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, age, national origin, ancestry, disability/medical condition, military or veteran status, citizenship status, genetic characteristics or information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, and local laws.