Business Development Manager - Defense & Aerospace

Business Development - Sales Manager (Defense & Aerospace) - North America

Location:

Hybrid - TX (Near Defense & Aerospace hub) Work Model:
Hybrid (Travel required) Status:
Full-time (U.S. & Mexico)

The Sales Manager Defense & Aerospace (North America) is responsible for expanding Schnellecke Logistics' business within the United States defense and aerospace supply chain. This role focuses on identifying and developing new business opportunities with defense OEMs, Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers, government contractors, and maintenance, repair, and overhaul organizations. The position plays a critical role in strengthening Schnellecke's presence as a secure and compliant logistics partner within the defense aerospace industry.

This role requires direct experience selling contract logistics and warehouse-based solutions within defense or aerospace environments, not product or manufacturing sales. The ideal candidate brings a strong background in secure logistics operations, production logistics, and end-to-end supply chain services, with the ability to navigate regulatory requirements such as ITAR, EAR, and DFARS.

Defense & Aerospace Market Development and Growth

• Develop and execute business development strategies focused on expanding Schnellecke's presence within the defense and aerospace sector through contract logistics and warehouse-based solutions.
• Identify, target, and secure new business opportunities with defense OEMs, Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers, government contractors, and MRO organizations requiring outsourced logistics services.
• Pursue opportunities tied to long-term, multi-year logistics contracts supporting production, sustainment, and supply chain operations in regulated environments.
• Leverage industry knowledge to identify opportunities where Schnellecke can replace or compete against existing 3PL providers supporting defense and aerospace customers.

• Lead complex RFI, RFQ, and RFP processes for contract logistics opportunities within defense and aerospace programs.
• Collaborate with Solution Engineering, Operations, Quality, IT, and Finance teams to design secure, compliant, and scalable logistics solutions.
• Translate customer and program requirements into warehouse-based and production logistics solutions, including labor models, facility concepts, and cost structures.
• Develop pricing strategies and commercial proposals aligned with long-term logistics agreements and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure all proposed solutions meet compliance standards related to ITAR, EAR, DFARS, and applicable cybersecurity and quality frameworks such as AS9100.

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, or a related technical field.
• 5 to 10 years of experience in business development within contract logistics, third‑party logistics (3PL), or supply chain services, preferably supporting defense or aerospace customers.
• Direct experience selling warehouse‑based logistics solutions, including warehousing, production logistics, sequencing, kitting, or end‑to‑end supply chain services, is required.
• Proven experience selling complex, long‑cycle logistics solutions involving multiple stakeholders, including operations, engineering, compliance, and program management teams.
• Experience working within defense or aerospace supply chains, including OEMs, Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers, government contractors, or MRO organizations.
• Strong understanding of secure and regulated logistics environments, including ITAR, EAR, and DFARS requirements.
• Experience supporting or bidding on government or Department of Defense‑related contracts, including familiarity with contract structures such as FFP, CPFF, and IDIQ.
• Experience working for or selling against major logistics providers such as DHL, GXO, XPO, CEVA, Kenco, DP World, BLG, or similar organizations is strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of logistics operations, including production logistics, warehousing, sequencing, and kitting processes.
• Ability to collaborate cross‑functionally with Solution Engineering, Operations, IT, Quality, and…