Regional Sales Manager – Machine Tools & Capital Equipment

We are looking for an experienced Regional Sales Manager to drive the growth of our clients machine tool and high-precision manufacturing solutions across an assigned UK territory.
This is a technical, consultative capital equipment sales role suited to an experienced salesperson who understands the manufacturing environment and has a proven track record of selling high-value machinery, machine tools, production equipment, automation or complex engineering solutions.
You will be responsible for developing new business, growing strategic accounts and managing the complete sales process from initial opportunity identification through technical solution development, commercial negotiation and order placement.
The successful candidate will ideally have experience selling into aerospace, defence or other highly engineered manufacturing environments, with an established network or experience of working with major OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers and prime contractors such as Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems, Babcock, Airbus, Leonardo, Safran, GKN Aerospace or similar organisations.
This is an opportunity for a commercially driven sales professional who can operate confidently with machine shop personnel, manufacturing engineers and buyers through to senior engineering, operations and board-level stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
* Develop and execute a territory strategy to deliver order intake, revenue, margin and market share targets, building a strong pipeline from prospecting through to order award.
* Identify and develop new business opportunities for machine tools, capital equipment and advanced manufacturing solutions across major OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, prime contractors and strategic engineering customers.
* Build and maintain strong relationships with decision-makers across engineering, manufacturing, production, procurement, operations and senior management.
* Identify customer capital investment, capacity expansion, new programme and technology requirements and convert these into qualified sales opportunities.
* Work with Applications, Engineering, Product Management and other specialists to develop technically and commercially compelling proposals, demonstrations and trials.
* Own the full sales lifecycle, including qualification, technical discovery, proposal, pricing, negotiation, contract award and order handover.
* Manage commercial negotiations, pricing, margins and contractual risks, ensuring opportunities meet profitability targets.
* Maintain accurate CRM, pipeline and sales forecasts, providing regular market and opportunity updates.
* Develop market intelligence covering competitors, technology, pricing and customer investment plans, using this to identify new opportunities and increase market share.
* Support customers throughout installation, commissioning and acceptance, working with Project Management and Engineering to ensure successful delivery and maximise future sales.
* Represent the Company at customer meetings, exhibitions, seminars and industry events, and leverage wider group capabilities and strategic partners to maximise growth.
Ideal Background
We are particularly interested in candidates with proven sales experience in machine tools, capital equipment or advanced manufacturing technology, including:
CNC machine tools and machining centres/ Turning, grinding, metal cutting or forming equipment / High-value manufacturing or industrial capital equipment
Experience selling into aerospace, defence, automotive, energy or other highly engineered manufacturing environments is highly desirable.
Essential Experience & Skills
* Proven track record in technical sales of high-value capital equipment, machine tools or complex engineering solutions.
* Experience managing the full sales cycle, from lead generation and technical qualification through to commercial negotiation and order placement.
* Demonstrable success winning new business and growing existing strategic accounts.
* Experience selling into complex manufacturing organisations with multiple stakeholders and lengthy capital investment cycles.
* Strong understanding of manufacturing environments and the ability to discuss technical requirements credibly with engineers and production professionals.
* Commercially astute, with experience of quoting, pricing, margin management, forecasting and contract negotiation.
* Strong consultative selling skills, with the ability to identify customer problems and develop a compelling commercial case for investment.
* Confident presenting high-value capital expenditure proposals to senior decision-makers.
* Ability to build relationships from machine shop / engineering level through to procurement, operations and board level.
* Self-motivated, commercially driven and comfortable working autonomously in a field-based sales environment.
* Strong organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple complex opportunities simultaneously.
* Willingness to travel extensively within the territory, including overnight stays where required.
* Full UK driving licence.
Desirable
* Previous experience selling CNC machine tools or precision manufacturing equipment.
* Existing relationships within the aerospace and defence manufacturing sector.
* Experience working with OEMs, prime contractors and Tier 1 suppliers.
* Understanding of aerospace and defence manufacturing processes, investment cycles and procurement environments.
* Technical or engineering qualification.
* Experience selling into organisations such as Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems, Babcock, Airbus, Leonardo, Safran, GKN Aerospace or equivalent major engineering groups