Business Development Lead

Job Description Our client is a growing UAE-based aerospace and advanced manufacturing business developing its commercial presence across the local industrial sector. The Business Development Lead will be responsible for identifying and securing new business opportunities across the UAE, building relationships with key customers and industry stakeholders, and translating the company’s technical manufacturing capabilities into commercially viable solutions. The role requires a strong understanding of industrial production, commercial strategy and customer development, with preference for candidates who have experience in aerospace, defence, aviation, precision engineering or advanced manufacturing. Responsibilities • Identify and develop new business opportunities across the UAE manufacturing and industrial market. • Build and maintain relationships with key decision-makers across government entities, OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers and private sector organisations. • Expand the company’s network across aerospace, defence, aviation, industrial manufacturing and related sectors. • Develop strategic account plans and customer engagement strategies. • Manage opportunities through the full business development lifecycle, from initial engagement through to contract award. • Lead commercial discussions and negotiations with customers and partners. • Support the preparation of RFQs, quotations, commercial proposals and customer presentations. • Represent the company at relevant industry events, exhibitions and networking forums. • Prepare business cases and financial models to support commercial decision-making. • Analyse pricing, margins, profitability and market opportunities. • Assess commercial risks, customer potential and growth opportunities. • Work closely with technical and operational teams to understand customer requirements and develop appropriate solutions. • Evaluate manufacturing methods, production costs, capacity and delivery considerations. • Translate technical manufacturing capabilities into clear customer value propositions. • Support costing and commercial assessments across machining, fabrication, welding, assembly, tooling, inspection and related manufacturing activities. • Maintain accurate opportunity pipelines, customer information and commercial records. • Monitor market activity, customer demand and competitor positioning to identify new areas for growth. Requirements • Minimum 5 years’ experience in Business Development, Sales, Commercial Strategy, Account Management or a related commercial role. • Proven experience within a manufacturing, engineering or technical services environment. • Established network within the UAE manufacturing or industrial market. • Demonstrated success in developing customer relationships and converting opportunities into business. • Experience in aerospace manufacturing, defence, aviation MRO, precision machining, sheet metal fabrication, metal structures, industrial equipment, oil & gas manufacturing services or advanced manufacturing would be advantageous. • Strong understanding of commercial pricing, margins, costs and profitability. • Experience preparing business cases, financial analysis, quotations and commercial proposals. • Advanced Microsoft Excel skills. • Good understanding of manufacturing processes such as CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, welding, surface treatments, assembly, tooling and fixtures, and quality inspection. • Understanding of manufacturing cost drivers including materials, labour, machine utilisation, tooling, subcontracted processes, non-recurring engineering and certification requirements. • Strong negotiation, influencing and stakeholder management skills. • Excellent communication and presentation capability. • Ability to build credible relationships with senior customer and executive stakeholders. • Strategic mindset combined with a practical, hands-on approach to execution. • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Industrial Management, Manufacturing Engineering or a related discipline. • Valid UAE driving licence. Candidate Profile The successful candidate will be a commercially focused and entrepreneurial business development professional with a strong understanding of manufacturing and the ability to operate confidently in both technical and commercial discussions. They should be capable of opening doors, developing strategic customer relationships and converting manufacturing capability into profitable opportunities. The role would suit someone who is self-motivated, credible with senior stakeholders and comfortable working in a growing business environment where initiative, market knowledge and practical execution are essential. Thank you for your application. Only suitable candidates will be contacted. Please note that by applying to this role, your profile will be searchable in our database. Our recruiters will contact you should another suitable role become available. Show more Show less

Minimum 5 years’ experience in Business Development, Sales, Commercial Strategy, Account Management or a related commercial role. Proven experience within a manufacturing, engineering or technical services environment. Established network within the UAE manufacturing or industrial market. Demonstrated success in developing customer relationships and converting opportunities into business. Experience in aerospace manufacturing, defence, aviation MRO, precision machining, sheet metal fabrication, metal structures, industrial equipment, oil & gas manufacturing services or advanced manufacturing would be advantageous. Strong understanding of commercial pricing, margins, costs and profitability. Experience preparing business cases, financial analysis, quotations and commercial proposals. Advanced Microsoft Excel skills. Good understanding of manufacturing processes such as CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, welding, surface treatments, assembly, tooling and fixtures, and quality inspection. Understanding of manufacturing cost drivers including materials, labour, machine utilisation, tooling, subcontracted processes, non-recurring engineering and certification requirements. Strong negotiation, influencing and stakeholder management skills. Excellent communication and presentation capability. Ability to build credible relationships with senior customer and executive stakeholders. Strategic mindset combined with a practical, hands-on approach to execution. Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Industrial Management, Manufacturing Engineering or a related discipline. Valid UAE driving licence.

Identify and develop new business opportunities across the UAE manufacturing and industrial market. Build and maintain relationships with key decision-makers across government entities, OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers and private sector organisations. Expand the company’s network across aerospace, defence, aviation, industrial manufacturing and related sectors. Develop strategic account plans and customer engagement strategies. Manage opportunities through the full business development lifecycle, from initial engagement through to contract award. Lead commercial discussions and negotiations with customers and partners. Support the preparation of RFQs, quotations, commercial proposals and customer presentations. Represent the company at relevant industry events, exhibitions and networking forums. Prepare business cases and financial models to support commercial decision-making. Analyse pricing, margins, profitability and market opportunities. Assess commercial risks, customer potential and growth opportunities. Work closely with technical and operational teams to understand customer requirements and develop appropriate solutions. Evaluate manufacturing methods, production costs, capacity and delivery considerations. Translate technical manufacturing capabilities into clear customer value propositions. Support costing and commercial assessments across machining, fabrication, welding, assembly, tooling, inspection and related manufacturing activities. Maintain accurate opportunity pipelines, customer information and commercial records. Monitor market activity, customer demand and competitor positioning to identify new areas for growth.