About the Role:
Our Technology Exploitation Department (TED) is based at our manufacturing base in Send, Woking and works closely with our Design, Purchasing and Sales departments. TED commercialises manufacturing services, optics sourcing and technology with outside partners and customers. At the moment, it consists of 6 staff and generates £2,000,000 plus turnover per annum. This position is responsible for growing and developing the Manufacturing Services and Vision Optics business.
Manufacturing Services include external contracts for development, machining, coating and assembly of other companies’ products. Examples are 3rd party point of sale instruments for luxury goods in stores and leading edge medical diagnostic instrumentation. Vision Optics includes coating and sourcing of specialist optics for use in other companies’ products. Examples are prisms and other optics for medical, defence and aerospace uses.
The BDE will be mainly focussed within the Manufacturing Services and Vision Optics part of the department, but will also be instrumental in enabling new business across the whole division.
The Technology Exploitation Department is a fast growing element of the Company, strategically designed to diversify the Company’s base into new technological global markets and to keep up with relevant developments, particularly in the fields of optics, optoelectronics, photonics and AI.
The position reports to the Head of the Technology Exploitation Department.
What you will be doing:
Grow and develop the Manufacturing Services and Vision Optics Business, as part of the established Vision Engineering diversification strategy;
- Identify, approach and qualify potential prospects for Engineering Services/Optics initially, within the UK then ROW;
- Manage resulting projects, alongside other TED staff, with external TED customers and collaborators;
- Liaise with internal teams (Design, Purchasing, Sales, Finance) to ensure we deliver on projects;
- Conduct directed market research to ensure our solutions and products remain relevant and competitive;
- Develop data led business development, strategies and tactics;
- Research existing /potential customers and market segments’ R&D, manufacturing and innovation groups, to keep up with optics/photonics/AI, to aid penetration of new market sectors;
- Aid with business development strategies to grow the Vision Optics sourcing division within UK and Global markets;
- TriTeQᶟ is a ground breaking, patented visualisation technology recently developed by Vision Engineering. It has its own technical team within TED. The BDE will provide commercial support to the TriTeQ product team, starting in ophthalmics and progressing into other markets.
- International and domestic travel will be required;
- Attendance at global trade shows and conferences will be expected.
What we are looking for:
This role does not necessarily require specific technical qualifications. Experience or personal aptitude are just as important. However, it does require experience of business development within a technical context.
- Minimum of 2 years’ experience in a Business Development/Sales or customer facing Design role – within a relevant technical environment;
- Technical curiosity and flexibility to operate in a variety of markets;
- Basic knowledge of general manufacturing processes;
- Dynamism, self-starter;
- Customer-focused approach and attitude – for both internal and external customers;
- Proven customer relationship skills in support of sales activity;
- Business planning and analysis skills;
- Marketing sense and execution skills;
- Good personal organisation skills; good interpersonal capabilities;
- Software literate (Microsoft Office, CRM Tools, Social Media);
- Strong written communications skills;
- Willingness to travel globally;
- Based in our modern Global HQ in Send, Surrey, candidates must live within a manageable daily commute.
What’s on offer:
This is a full time, permanent position, 36 hours per week and the standard working hours are applicable, Monday to Thursday 9.00am to 5.15pm and Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm with an hour for lunch break, with flexibility on the start and finish times, in line with the Company’s core working hours.
- Additional production bonus (variable but approx. 4% basic salary payable monthly in arrears), linked to the value of goods invoiced from the UK factory base;
- Aviva private pension scheme, in line with Government legislation and guidelines. Currently 5% employee contribution and 3% employer contribution;
- BUPA, private medical insurance with minimal, monthly contributions (subject to 6 months satisfactory service);
- Simply Health Optimise Plus Plan, non-contributory cash back plan for claiming monies back for treatments (subject to 6 months satisfactory service);
- Life insurance (Death in Service scheme) equivalent to 2 years’ basic salary to next of kin (subject to 6 months satisfactory service);
- 24 days holiday per annum (plus additional Bank Holidays);
- Sickness absence pay (subject to 6 months satisfactory service);
- Cycle to Work scheme (subject to 6 months satisfactory service);
- Administration of government childcare vouchers;
- Multi-cultural feast day celebrations;
- Excellent staff facilities;
- Free on-site parking, including access to EV car charging points;
- Transport to and from the local station;
- Free membership of an on-site gym;
- Free weekly on site yoga sessions with a celebrated local yogini;
- Free weekly on site boxercise sessions with an experienced martial artist & instructor.
Staff Development is key to our continued success and, as a result, we have a well-funded staff development budget, and dedicated Staff Development team. The Staff Development programme operates throughout the entire Company, and allows for professional, personal and tailored development and training to suit the individual needs and requirements of each staff member.
Vision Engineering is a progressive, forward thinking company, which subscribes fully to the letter and spirit of equal opportunity.
