Sales Manager (Ground Combat)

Introduction

Saab UK is part of Scandinavia's largest defence company, bringing together the best of Swedish and British innovation. Saab offers world-leading solutions and services in defence, aviation, space, and civil security to keep people and society safe. Our UK presence has been growing at pace, meaning we can offer a wide range of opportunities for personal fulfilment and career growth. We currently employ over 500 people across eight sites in the UK, and our specialisations include software engineering, underwater robotics, radars, AI, and armed forces training

As part of the global entity Saab AB, Saab UK combines the innovative spirit of a start-up with the resources and expertise of a larger corporation. Globally, Saab employs over 22,000 people, with operations on every continent. Our partnerships with UK customers and industry mean we are able to deliver innovative solutions to complex challenges, anticipating the threats of tomorrow. We invest 23% of our annual revenue into research and development, collaborating with a range of partners including industry and academia

Saab is a company that offers our employees plenty of opportunities for growth and advancement. We embrace diversity and are committed to providing a workplace where individuals can thrive professionally, paving the way for future progression. We also recognise the need for a healthy work-life balance to ensure our staff have the chance to live a fulfilling life beyond the workplace

The Role:

Land Systems is expanding its footprint in the UK, and growing a strong, high-performing team to win and deliver business

This role is focussed on wining business for Saab's Ground Combat and Missile Systems portfolio of products, which are critical for the protection and survivability of the UK's armed forces

Act as the Customer Sales Responsible (CSR) for their prospects. Responsibilities include the establishment and maintenance of the customer relationships and responsibility for the relevant parts of the Winning Business (WB) process for their assigned prospects

The CSR leads the business realisation in accordance with the WB process, from market appraisal up to and including Deliver and Follow Up Tender, and for the customer relationships throughout the WB process

This is an important role within the Land Systems team and will represent Saab's continued relationship building with the British Army

The Product Sales role will work closely alongside CSR's and PSR's to manage cases in the organisational CRM Tool, and is responsible for inputting to relevant documents in preparation for the WB process up to and including the WB5

As an SME where capacity exists, to assist the wider Land Systems marketing and sales opportunities, therefore developing sales prospects outside their base area

Come from a British Army background, with a demonstrable understanding of the product portfolio, or comparable products. Working with Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) as well as some wider commercial, business development or sales experience would also be a prerequisite

Stakeholder engagement at all levels within the Ministry of Defence (MOD) is essential to this role

Responsibilities:

• Win business through product sales for the Ground Combat and Missiles Systems portfolio of products

• Acquire and maintain relevant product knowledge

• Establish and maintain customer relationships

• Identify, prioritise and qualify new business leads

• Create business-winning strategies

• Conduct market, customer and competitor analysis

• Collaborate with the PSR

• Participate and support contract and commercial negotiations

• Maintain, evaluate and manage market networks and consultants

• Maintain, evaluate and develop relations with other Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM)

• Organise and participate at exhibitions

• Work in alignment with Saab's policies and directives

• Participate in and support other Operational Countries or Country Units as required

Essential Skills:

• Experience and understanding of the UK Defence, acquisition process and budgets

• Experience of working at or with DE&S and of the product portfolio you will represent, or comparable products

• Leadership and teamwork skills

• Documented experience of marketing and sales or other relevant sectors

• Experience in contributing to a multi-disciplinary team in a fast-paced, high-pressure, deadline-driven environment, to achieve KPIs and Objectives, including within a matrix management context

• Excellent communication, negotiation and stakeholder management skills within both defence and industry communities to establish and maintain trusted relationships

• Can evidence ability to work productively across cultures

• Effective prioritisation and time management for both the candidate's time and that of the team they will lead

• Experience of design and execution of customer engagement events and product demonstrations

• Fluent in English, other languages are desirable

• Candidates must hold a UK driving licence and have a car available for business use

During your employment you will handle tasks and materials that are classed as military secrets and therefore, you must have a UK or Swedish citizenship and receive necessary national security clearances