Aviation Sales Manager

Eleven Recruiting is partnering with a leading global aerospace OEM to hire an Aviation Sales Manager for their rapidly growing Chatsworth, CA facility. This site specializes in precision engineering, licensed product lines, aftermarket sustainment, and solutions that keep legacy aircraft components viable and supported throughout their operational life cycle.

As a senior-level commercial leader, the Aviation Sales Manager will be responsible for driving high-value sales opportunities, supporting government and defense customers, negotiating complex commercial agreements, and shaping long-term aftermarket strategies. This role will work directly with operators, OEMs, government agencies, and defense stakeholders while collaborating closely with engineering, contracts, supply chain, and program teams to maximize product-line value and deliver a world-class customer experience.

Responsibilities

• Maximize product-line value by growing bookings, capturing new orders, and expanding customer engagement across assigned territories.
• Lead targeted sales campaigns that extend the usable life of product lines, increase organic growth, and deepen customer adoption.
• Educate customers, operators, government agencies, and defense organizations on product capabilities, licensing portfolios, and sustainment solutions.
• Negotiate complex commercial proposals, pricing structures, and contract terms while ensuring FAR/DFARS compliance when applicable.
• Prepare, manage, and deliver quotations, proposals, reports, and contract packages, including cost-benefit analysis and long-term reduced total cost modeling.
• Compile and analyze in-service fleet intelligence to identify growth opportunities, emerging risks, and future demand.
• Manage daily customer communications, order activity, quote follow-ups, and escalations to ensure on-time delivery performance.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams—engineering, MRO operations, supply chain, program management—to improve profitability and elevate customer experience.
• Interpret technical procedures, government regulations, commercial requirements, and industry standards to guide sales strategy.
• Maintain CRM Dynamics accounts, contacts, opportunities, pipelines, and forecasting with high accuracy.
• Develop and document account plans, customer visit summaries, executive-level reports, and monthly business updates.
• Travel independently within the region or internationally to support customer meetings, trade shows, and growth initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in aerospace technical sales, business development, or related commercial functions.
• Extensive knowledge of the aerospace industry, including aftermarket sustainment, legacy systems, or mature product lines.
• Preferred background serving in the U.S. Department of Defense or working with defense customers.
• Strong experience negotiating commercial contracts, proposals, and long-cycle technical sales opportunities.
• Deep understanding of government acquisition processes, including FAR/DFARS compliance.
• Ability to prepare professional business correspondence, reports, proposals, procedure manuals, and executive summaries.
• Ability to read and interpret technical journals, government regulations, engineering documents, and industry publications.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), CRM Dynamics, Teams, and general Windows-based systems.
• Broad commercial and financial awareness, including cost-benefit analysis, pricing strategy, and long-term customer value modeling.
• Ability to work autonomously in a fast-paced environment and travel domestically or internationally as needed.

Salary: $110,000 - $130,000