Business Development Manager – Drives

Business Development Manager - Drives

Our client is a world leader in axial flux electric motor technology, delivering exceptional power density, efficiency, and compact packaging for high-performance applications. To support further growth and application / sector diversification, we are seeking a new hybrid-based Business Development Manager to support further growth across non-automotive, engineering services and R&D environments in particular – this is a “hunting” role and requires a direct business development approach.

Primarily based in central/southern England and with a strong emphasis on deep customer research, opportunity origination and strategic new business acquisition, the Business Development Manager will centre on intelligence led business development. You will systematically research, prioritise and penetrate target customers, building new relationships based on technical insight and engineering credibility.

Converting research into actionable pipeline opportunities and position our client as a strategic propulsion partner early in program development cycles, responsibilities include:

• Initiate new OEM relationships through highly tailored, insight driven outreach
• Engage engineering and advanced development teams before formal RFQ stages
• Challenge incumbent Tier 1 suppliers and in house motor programs with data led positioning
• Lead exploratory technical commercial meetings
• Convert early engagement into formal RFI/RFQ’s
• Targeting customers precisely
• Articulate the technical and commercial benefits of our clients’ products at an application level
• Quantify performance advantages (mass, packaging, efficiency, thermal capability)
• Collaborate with engineering teams to shape feasibility discussions
• Develop compelling, architecture level value propositions
• Position our client as a strategic propulsion partner rather than a component supplier
• Conduct deep analysis of OEM electrification strategies, platform architectures, and powertrain roadmaps
• Identify programs where our clients’ technology provides measurable performance or packaging advantage
• Develop detailed account intelligence
• Monitor evolving motor technologies and propulsion strategies
• Identify displacement opportunities within incumbent supplier relationships
• Provide structured market feedback to the CCO and engineering leadership
• Contribute to long-term commercial strategy and target selection
• Translate research into clear account entry strategies

Experience & Skills

• 8+ years in powertrain business development, strategy or technical sales
• Demonstrated success in cold OEM acquisition
• Experience selling complex engineered systems into long-cycle programs
• Strong technical literacy in electrified propulsion systems
• Proven ability to influence senior engineering stakeholders
• Entrepreneurial mindset with structured research capability

Suitable applicants should ideally have a strong engineering-based degree and have exposure to an UK/European/Global OEM network. Understanding R&D cycles and methodologies would be beneficial.

Your CV will be forwarded to Jonathan Lee Recruitment, a leading engineering and manufacturing recruitment consultancy established in 1978. The services advertised by Jonathan Lee Recruitment are those of an Employment Agency.
In order for your CV to be processed effectively, please ensure your name, email address, phone number and location (post code OR town OR county, as a minimum) are included.

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