Sales & BD Manager Defense SIX NL

Sales & BD Manager Defense SIX NL

With 80,000 talents working in 68 countries, we are one of the biggest high-tech employers in the field of safety and security. In the Netherlands, where over 2,500 employees are based, we are located in four cities: Huizen, Delft, Eindhoven, and Hengelo (HQ). Together with an extensive ecosystem of knowledge partners, customers, and suppliers, we work on radars for naval vessels, cyber security solutions, transportation systems, communication equipment for land forces, cryogenic cooling solutions, and research & development for radar tech (in collaboration with TU Delft).

The THALES Huizen site, where approximately 300 colleagues are employed, offers a wide range of engineering solutions to support the Army with their communication and situational awareness needs. One of the key subsystems is SOTAS, which provides audio communication and IT infrastructure within military vehicles. In addition to standard products, we also develop customer-focused, tailor-made solutions.

THALES "SIX" is also the Resell channel for Thales Group solutions - several long-term opportunities are targeted. The mission is to Promote, present, and get THALES solutions qualified in the Dutch market with a focus on the Land and special forces with several solutions.

Aligned with our strategy we are seeking a:

About the Job

The Business Development Manager is responsible for building long-term relationships within the Dutch land and special forces domains and with vehicle OEMs, working closely with Key Account Managers. They collaborate with international Thales teams to ensure strong support and priority for the Netherlands across Business Lines. As a vital member of a multidisciplinary Domestic CAT A Account team, you will contribute to achieving strategic sales, customer satisfaction, and team development goals.

The main tasks and responsibilities are:

• Together with the KAMs, build a long-term relation within the NL land / special forces and the vehicle OEMs.
• Building relationships with the international Thales KAM, Sales and Product organization to secure the best support for the NL market.
• Together with your multi-disciplined team members you ensure the team targets like OI, GMOI, Sales, Cash, Customer satisfaction and team development are met.
• Gather and share insights on risks, opportunities, marketing, and sales with the GBU and bid teams to enhance customer understanding.
• The Business Development Manager primarily focuses on the pre-tender phase (up to Gate 1) but may also serve as Capture Lead Manager for long-term captures, leading teams, driving winning strategies, and successfully negotiating and closing deals according to mandates.
• Summarizes and monitors OEM sales forecasts/pipeline.
• Proposes use cases and convert them into paid proofs of concept or demos at customer sites to qualify solutions or create operational demand.

About You

• Proven network within the Dutch defense domain.
• Operational knowledge in the Land and special forces domain (Plus).
• Demonstrated experience in managing complex multi-stakeholder environments, preferably within defense.
• Possesses or can quickly acquire operational knowledge and can translate complex technology into practical operational use cases.
• Ability to manage risk effectively and fosters an entrepreneurial mindset.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to reassess strategy (strategic thinking) and ability to lead the bid process as a Capture Team Leader.
• Exhibits team spirit and delivers results through cooperation.
• Creative thinker.
• Ability to build trust and strong partnerships.
• Expertise in business modelling.

NOTE: This role requires the Dutch nationality due to the nature of the work.

Thales offers:

• An interesting job within a nice team in an international high-tech environment.
• Room for and attention to personal development and personal initiative.
• The opportunity to grow within the organization, for instance on a technical, managerial, commercial, or international level.
• An open and flexible work environment where a good work-life balance is considered important.
• Excellent work conditions, with 40 holidays a year, among other benefits.