What are the responsibilities and job description for the Business Development Manager position at Brookwood Recruitment Ltd?
I am working with an established, privately owned Tier 2 automotive supplier specialising in sheet metal stampings and related automotive components, the business works with major automotive suppliers across several product segments and continues to pursue new growth opportunities.
With a lean, commercially focused sales team and significant senior leadership involvement, the company offers an opportunity for an experienced automotive professional to make a tangible impact on business growth, customer relationships and commercial performance.
The Opportunity
The company is seeking an experienced Business Development Manager to manage and develop key customer relationships, secure new business and identify opportunities for profitable growth within the automotive sector.
The role will focus primarily on major seating customers, while also developing relationships with emerging customers and new prospects, including Japanese automotive suppliers.
This is a hands-on, commercially focused position combining customer-facing business development with account management, financial analysis, quotation management and internal commercial processes.
The successful candidate will be equally comfortable building relationships with senior customer stakeholders, developing commercial strategies, analysing cost breakdowns and preparing detailed presentations and business cases. They will take ownership of opportunities from initial engagement through quotation, commercial review and business award.
Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate will be an experienced automotive sales or business development professional who combines strong customer-facing skills with commercial discipline, financial understanding and a proactive, ownership-driven approach.
Essential Requirements
- Proven experience in business development, sales or commercial account management within the automotive industry.
- A strong understanding of automotive customers, supply chains and commercial relationships.
- Demonstrated ability to develop customer relationships, identify opportunities and drive new business.
- Strong financial and analytical skills, including the ability to interpret cost breakdowns, analyse pricing and understand profitability.
- Confidence working with spreadsheets, commercial data, presentations and quotation documentation.
- Excellent communication, presentation and stakeholder management skills.
- A proactive, self-motivated approach with a strong sense of personal accountability.
- The ability to manage multiple opportunities, competing priorities and demanding commercial deadlines.
- Willingness to work in an office-based environment in Farmington Hills and travel to customer locations as required.
Preferred Experience
Experience in the following areas would be particularly advantageous, although not all are essential:
- Sheet metal stamping and associated tooling.
- Tier 1 automotive supplier commercial operations.
- Automotive seating systems and suppliers.
Candidates with broader automotive sales experience will also be considered if they demonstrate the right commercial aptitude, analytical capability, attitude and willingness to learn the product and customer base.
This is an office based role with visits to client site.