Business Development Associate

Business Overview:

Sony UK Technology Centre is a division of Sony Europe Limited. We are the only manufacturing centre for Sony in Europe and have over 500 highly skilled team players who help create some of the most advanced technology on the global market. The heart of today’s operation at Pencoed is centered on the manufacture of high technology Broadcast and Professional Cameras and Systems including the latest industry leading 4K technology. Alongside this we provide contract manufacturing solutions for multiple non-Sony branded businesses. This collaborative approach to contract manufacturing has produced many commercial successes over the years, including the best-selling British computer of all time, the Raspberry Pi. Further, we are the home of a Sony customer service and solutions centre, a Business Incubation Centre and much more.

Do you like to explore, and do you have strong interpersonal skills? Are you energised by driving strategic growth? Then our New Business department is where you should be!

Role Overview:

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, self-motivated and driven person within the New Business development team at Sony UK Technology Centre.

Joining a team of like-minded team players, the position of Business Development Associate will have direct responsibility for identifying new business opportunities to expand Sony UKTec’s business portfolio. The candidate will be responsible for researching and creating potential new partners as well as being a key contact for managing prospective partnerships.

The role demands that the candidate is required to be a Sony Brand Ambassador, open to travel with the mission of securing new business and developing new successful networking relationships, internally and externally. This is an excellent opportunity to be a part of a growing business, working in a team with a shared common goal.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Lead generation: Seeking & identifying new partners for Sony UKTec by researching and creating networking opportunities in multiple sectors, using various techniques, under the New Business development strategy.
• Market Research: Actively stay informed about industry trends, competitor activities, and market developments to identify new business opportunities. Document and present data collated to New Business development group / Executive board when applicable.
• Prospecting: Main point of contact for New Business development enquiries. Taking a proactive, lead role in initial engagement by reaching out to prospective partners via calls, emails, attend in-person meetings to introduce and pitch our contract manufacturing services and assess their needs.
• Qualification: Shortlist screening of prospect leads based on a predefined criteria aligned with our capabilities and target market. Create business proposals based on customer information, industry data/analysis and produce estimate quotations/service agreements where applicable.
• Pipeline management: Maintain accurate and up to date records of all leads, opportunities and interactions, monitor status & respond appropriately to prospect customer leads.
• Collaboration: Work with various departments and cultivate strong relationships with team players to support exploring new opportunities, e.g: Engineering, Account management, Business control, executive board (not limited to).
• Reporting: Prepare and maintain pitch presentations, collate regular reports on pipeline activities and confidently present these to multiple stakeholder levels internally and externally when applicable. e.g: Events, customer opportunity status, KPI’s.

Person Qualities:

Essential criteria:

• Self-motivated with a can-do attitude.
• Drive and ambition for success.
• Previous experience with customer facing role/business development.
• The ability to be proactive, research, analyse information and handle uncertainty.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with the confidence to do so. This is both internally and externally, at all levels of the business.
• Passion for developing new partnerships.
• A strong team player that works well independently, within a team & is versatile.
• High level of commercial awareness and “bigger picture” thinking.
• Excellent organizational, listening & multi-task skills.
• Computer literate (Microsoft office: PowerPoint, word, excel, MS Teams).

Desirable criteria:

• Prior experience of working within an Electronics or Mechanical Manufacturing/design environment.
• Degree qualified is desirable – with subjects such as business management, marketing, or related field preferred.
• Project management skills.
• Demonstrate a flexible approach.

What we can offer:

• A competitive salary
• Access to discounted Sony products
• Access to Financial Wellbeing App – Bippit
• Private health care (subject to service)
• Generous Company pension scheme with x10 life assurance
• Opportunity to receive a target related annual bonus.
• 33 days annual leave inclusive of public holidays
• Onsite gym
• Onsite, secure car parking
• Subsidised canteen

To apply for this role please complete and submit the below form.