Location: Milton Keynes, UK

Reporting to: Sales & Marketing Director

Team: Part of a global commercial team in an SME

Working Pattern: Full-time, office based (some hybrid working considered), flexible working hours, occasional international travel as required

About the Role

The Business Development Executive is responsible for identifying, developing, and converting new business opportunities for THT's specialist testing services across Europe and North America. This is a proactive, growth-focused role centred on generating new customer relationships, expanding market presence, and delivering revenue growth across key industries.

The testing services business currently serves an established international customer base and generates significant recurring revenue. The successful candidate will build on this foundation by identifying new opportunities, developing strategic customer relationships, and driving sustainable growth across Europe and North America.

Combining commercial drive with technical understanding, you will engage prospective customers, understand their testing requirements, develop tailored service proposals, and secure new business opportunities. While the primary focus is new business development, the role also involves developing existing customer relationships to maximise repeat business and long-term account value.

Success in this role will be measured by growth in testing services revenue, new customer acquisition, development of a strong qualified sales pipeline, conversion of opportunities into profitable business, and growth and retention of existing customer accounts.

THT serves leading organisations in battery development, electric vehicle manufacturing, consumer electronics, pharmaceuticals, and chemical process industries, providing specialist testing services that support product development, safety, compliance, and research activities.

Key Responsibilities

Business Development & Market Growth

• Identify, target, and engage prospective customers across Europe and North America.
• Develop and execute territory plans to generate qualified sales opportunities and achieve revenue targets.
• Conduct proactive business development activities including prospecting, networking, referrals, industry engagement, and direct customer outreach.
• Build and manage a pipeline of opportunities from initial contact through to contract award.
• Prepare quotations, proposals, and commercial offers, negotiating terms and securing new business.
• Conduct market and competitor analysis to identify growth opportunities and emerging customer needs.

Customer Development

• Maintain relationships with existing customers to identify repeat testing opportunities and support customer retention.
• Develop relationships with key stakeholders to understand future testing requirements and uncover new opportunities.
• Gather customer feedback and market intelligence to support continuous improvement and future service development.

Technical & Commercial Consultation

• Understand customer objectives and recommend appropriate testing programmes and service solutions.
• Deliver technical and commercial presentations to customers and stakeholders.
• Collaborate with technical and operational teams to develop proposals and ensure successful project delivery.
• Represent THT at customer meetings, conferences, exhibitions, and industry events as required.
• Maintain accurate sales forecasts, opportunity pipelines, and customer records within CRM systems.

Key Skills

Business Development & Sales

• Proven ability to generate and develop new business opportunities.
• Strong prospecting, networking, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to manage sales opportunities through the full sales cycle.
• Commercially focused with a results-oriented approach.

Technical & Commercial

• Ability to understand and communicate technical concepts to both technical and commercial audiences.
• Consultative, solution-based sales approach.
• Strong commercial awareness and customer-focused mindset.
• Confidence presenting technical and commercial proposals.

Communication & Organisation

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Familiarity with CRM systems and sales reporting tools.
• Willingness to undertake occasional international travel.

Experience

• 2–5 years of experience in business development, technical sales, account management, or commercial roles within scientific, engineering, laboratory, industrial, or related sectors.
• Evidence of generating new business opportunities and contributing to revenue growth.
• Experience selling testing services, laboratory services, scientific products, technical services, or other technically complex solutions is advantageous but not essential.
• Degree in engineering, science, business, or a related discipline preferred, or equivalent commercial experience.

Personal Attributes

• Highly motivated by winning new business and achieving growth targets.
• Proactive, self-driven, and comfortable working with autonomy.
• Confident initiating conversations and developing opportunities from first contact through to contract award.
• Customer-focused and committed to delivering value.
• Resilient, persistent, and adaptable in a dynamic commercial environment.
• Strong communicator with the ability to engage diverse international audiences.
• Technically curious and eager to learn new applications and industries.
• Collaborative team player with a professional and positive approach.