Bachelor's degree in business, engineering, or related field; MBA preferred.
5+ years in sales, business development, or related commercial role.
Proven track record in building customer relationships and achieving business results.
Strong communication, negotiation, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Proficiency in Mandarin is a plus.
Experience in pricing, profitability, and margin management preferred.
Background in aerospace or complex manufacturing preferred.
Responsibilities
Own relationships across the airframe customer portfolio.
Lead negotiations for long-term agreements and pricing arrangements.
Translate customer priorities into actionable plans with internal teams.
Drive recovery plans for customer delivery challenges and hold stakeholders accountable.
Represent Kirkhill in executive meetings and key industry events.
Lead and develop direct reports, fostering a high-performance culture.
Align cross-functional teams around customer commitments and commercial objectives.
Communicate business performance and risks to senior leadership.
Benefits
Opportunity to lead a significant segment within a growing aerospace company.
Engagement in high-level negotiations and strategic initiatives.
Chance to develop and mentor a team of professionals.
Involvement in key industry events and executive meetings.
Dynamic work environment with a focus on results and accountability.
Full Job Description
Commercial Airframe Segment Manager
Kirkhill is seeking a commercially driven, results-oriented Commercial Airframe Segment Manager to lead growth across our aerospace airframe segment.
We want a leader who has a bias for action and will lead the Airframe Segment as if it is their own business. You will own commercial performance across our airframe customer portfolio, lead key negotiations, develop new business opportunities, and guide your sales team. Success requires the ability to build strong customer relationships, influence cross-functional teams, and turn business priorities into measurable results.
Key Responsibilities
Customer & Business Leadership
Own relationships across the airframe customer portfolio.
Lead negotiations for long-term agreements, pricing arrangements, and other strategic commercial initiatives.
Translate customer priorities into actionable plans, partnering with internal teams to resolve issues and deliver commitments.
Take ownership of customer delivery challenges by driving recovery plans and holding stakeholders accountable for results.
Represent Kirkhill in executive customer meetings, business reviews, and key aerospace industry events.
Team Leadership & Execution
Lead, coach, and develop at least two direct reports, including Account Managers and Customer Service Representatives.
Establish accountability and drive a high-performance, customer-focused culture.
Align engineering, operations, quality, supply chain, and finance around customer commitments and commercial objectives.
Communicate business performance, risks, and opportunities to senior leadership, bringing forward solutions and recommendations.
Commercial Growth & Profitability
Own and execute the commercial growth strategy for Kirkhill's airframe segment across key aerospace platforms and customers.
Identify, pursue, and win new business while expanding existing relationships and aftermarket opportunities.
Lead pricing strategy and negotiations to secure competitive, profitable long-term agreements.
Drive revenue growth, backlog expansion, and margin improvement through disciplined commercial decision-making.
Monitor market trends, customer needs, and competitive dynamics to identify opportunities and act decisively.
The Mindset We're Looking For
We are looking for a leader who operates like an owner and thrives in a results-driven environment.
Ambition: Competitive, motivated, and hungry to win business and deliver meaningful results.
Bias for Action: Moves quickly, takes initiative, and drives issues to resolution.
Ownership Mentality: Takes responsibility for outcomes, follows through on commitments, and treats the segment as if it were their own business.
Hands-On Leadership: Willing to get into the details, work directly with customers, and do what is necessary to move the business forward.
Collaborative Accountability: Builds strong relationships across functions while maintaining urgency, setting expectations, and holding teams accountable.
Qualifications & Experience
Bachelor's degree in business, engineering, or a related field required; MBA preferred.
5+ years of experience in sales, business development, account management, engineering, operations, or a related commercial role.
Demonstrated success building customer relationships and delivering measurable business results.
Excellent communication, negotiation, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Proficiency in Mandarin a plus.
Prior exposure to commercial acumen, including pricing, profitability, and margin management preferred.
