Space & Defense Sales Manager - Americas

Location: Orlando, United States of America

Thales people architect solutions that enable two-thirds of planes to take off and land safely. We create in-flight entertainment systems that engross 50 million fliers every year and we develop the avionics that control the world’s largest commercial aircrafts. Our simulators train the next generation of pilots for fighter jets, transporters and search and rescue helicopters. And, together, each and every member of our aerospace team makes a difference.

Space & Defense Sales Manager

Florida (Remote)

Position Summary

Thales is looking for a Space & Defense Sales Manager to support the sales & marketing functions of Thales Components Corporation (TCC) Space, Defense, Telecom and Terrestrial Satcom product lines from Microwave Imaging Sub-System (MIS) factories in France & Germany. In this role, you will have full responsibility for the bid process for Thales’ related products. You will manage all customers’ interactions in the Americas region to ensure customers relationships are devolved and furthered.

In this position, you are also accountable for Order Intake, Gross Margin on Order Intake and Sales in the overall Americas region for the full Thales MIS related products and solutions portfolio.  

Regulatory Compliance Requirements:

• Must be a US Person as defined in applicable law.
• Must have U.S. Citizenship in order to obtain the post-hire Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Clearance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Drive sales strategy and performance: Create and execute sales plans; perform active business development to meet order entry, revenue, and gross margin targets; achieve or exceed annual order intake, sales, and GM objectives aligned with the MYB process.
• Lead capture and bid execution: Act as Capture Leader for full bid process execution (on time and quality) to secure new business, protect existing accounts from competition, and maximize profitability while meeting customer expectations.
• Manage customer relationships and satisfaction: Oversee all customer interactions including sales, negotiations, support, services, technical and non-technical inquiries, and order processing, with customer satisfaction as the primary focus; ensure alignment across all organizational levels between customers and Thales.
• Develop account plans and business growth: Establish, develop, and execute Key Account Plans; build strong customer intimacy through face-to-face engagement; identify and develop new business opportunities; assist management in defining business development strategy.
• Market intelligence and reporting: Gather and consolidate market intelligence across Space, Defense, Telecom, and Satcom markets; provide insights to central marketing; deliver monthly and ad hoc reporting (order intake, sales, GM vs. plan/forecast, backlog, funnel, bid progress, Time & Territory plans) and support accurate business forecasting.
• Coordinate operations, planning, and internal alignment: Establish and execute Time & Territory plans; coordinate executive and technical customer meetings (including conferences and site visits); maintain strong collaboration with MIS teams in Europe; ensure compliance with company strategy, procedures, processes, ethics, and product knowledge while integrating into company culture.

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience & domain expertise: Sales, support, or services management experience in related markets with 5+ years of professional experience in an international context selling electron tubes / Travelling Wave Tubes and/or RF power amplification solutions; ability to manage long sales cycles and uneven yearly sales patterns.
• Education & technical capability: Bachelor’s degree in Business or related field with 8–12+ years of experience, or Master’s degree with 6+ years, or equivalent combination; technical or engineering background is a strong advantage; technical degree preferred; strong competence in business development and/or account management; demonstrated interest in relevant technologies and applications.
• Execution & work style: Highly organized and methodical with the ability to define priorities and execute accordingly, strong self-discipline with the ability to work under pressure, operate autonomously, manage multiple priorities, and perform effectively in high-stress environments.
• Collaboration & influence: Team-oriented with the ability to build strong relationships across departments, including international teams in France and Germany; diplomatic with strong interpersonal skills and cultural awareness; able to work across diverse nationalities and lead by influence to drive results.