Business Development Lead

Industrial Transformation & Strategic Growth

France

The Opportunity

A global industrial technology organisation is seeking a commercially sophisticated Strategic Business Development Lead to drive growth across France's advanced manufacturing sector.

This is a high-impact role focused on engaging senior decision-makers, identifying transformational opportunities, and building long-term strategic partnerships with some of the country's leading industrial organisations.

Working at the intersection of operational excellence, advanced manufacturing, digitalisation, and productivity improvement, the successful individual will play a pivotal role in shaping complex commercial opportunities before they enter formal procurement processes.

The Role

The Strategic Business Development Lead will be responsible for originating, developing, and securing high-value opportunities across key industrial markets.

Acting as the primary point of engagement for executive stakeholders, the position requires a consultative and value-led approach, helping customers address critical operational, commercial, and strategic challenges through tailored end-to-end solutions.

The role combines executive relationship management, opportunity creation, commercial leadership, and strategic account development, with responsibility for guiding opportunities from initial engagement through to contractual agreement.

Key Responsibilities

Executive Engagement & Strategic Partnerships

• Build trusted relationships with C-suite and senior operational leaders, including CEOs, COOs, CTOs, Managing Directors, and Manufacturing Executives.
• Lead strategic discussions focused on productivity, operational performance, sustainability, digital transformation, and long-term competitiveness.
• Position the organisation as a trusted partner capable of delivering measurable business value and operational improvement.
• Develop executive sponsorship within target accounts to support long-term growth initiatives.

Opportunity Creation & Business Development

• Identify and develop high-value opportunities within complex manufacturing environments.
• Engage customers early in their strategic planning and investment cycles.
• Translate business challenges into commercially viable transformation programmes.
• Develop compelling value propositions, business cases, and pursuit strategies.
• Lead commercial discussions through qualification, solution development, proposal, negotiation, and contract award.

Strategic Account Growth

• Develop targeted account engagement strategies aligned to priority markets and customers.
• Map stakeholder ecosystems and decision-making structures across large organisations.
• Create pathways for multi-site and enterprise-wide partnerships.
• Build a sustainable pipeline of strategic growth opportunities.

Market Intelligence & Commercial Insight

• Monitor industry developments, investment trends, and market dynamics across key manufacturing sectors.
• Identify emerging growth markets and new commercial opportunities.
• Provide strategic insight to support future business planning and solution development.
• Contribute to market-facing thought leadership and commercial best practices.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with commercial, engineering, operations, and project teams to develop differentiated customer solutions.
• Ensure a seamless transition from opportunity development to project execution.
• Foster collaboration across regional and international business functions.

Candidate Profile

Experience

• Proven success in strategic business development, enterprise sales, or hunting-focused commercial roles.
• Demonstrated ability to create and convert complex, high-value opportunities.
• Strong track record of engaging executive stakeholders and influencing strategic investment decisions.
• Experience within manufacturing, machining, industrial engineering, automation, operational excellence, or industrial technology environments.
• Proven success selling value-based solutions rather than transactional products.

Sector Expertise

Experience within one or more of the following sectors would be advantageous:

• Aerospace
• Automotive
• Medical Manufacturing
• Energy
• Defence
• Semiconductor Manufacturing
• Advanced Manufacturing
• Precision Engineering

Key Competencies

• Executive presence and board-level credibility.
• Strong commercial and strategic acumen.
• Advanced consultative selling capabilities.
• Exceptional communication, influencing, and negotiation skills.
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building expertise.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a results-oriented approach.
• Resilience, professionalism, and a high degree of personal accountability.

What's on Offer

• A strategically important role within a globally recognised industrial organisation.
• Direct engagement with senior leadership teams across leading manufacturing businesses.
• Exposure to complex transformation, productivity, and operational excellence programmes.
• Significant autonomy, visibility, and long-term career development opportunities.
• Competitive salary, performance-related bonus, company vehicle, and comprehensive benefits package.

Apply Now

This opportunity will appeal to an ambitious commercial professional who thrives in executive environments and enjoys creating strategic growth opportunities within complex industrial organisations.

Applications are welcomed from individuals seeking to make a tangible impact on the future of manufacturing, operational performance, and industrial transformation across France.

All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.