About us
R E Thompson & Co (Vacuum) Ltd is a precision aerospace CNC machining and assembly business operating from two sites in Andover and Whitchurch, Hampshire. We manufacture flight-critical and safety-critical components for the world’s leading aerospace and defence primes and Tier 1 suppliers, and we continue to invest heavily in advanced manufacturing technology and in our people.
Why this role matters
This is one of the most important appointments R E Thompson will make. The accounts in this portfolio are among the most significant in the business, and the person who takes this role will directly influence our performance, our standing with the primes and the shape of our order book for years to come.
You will have direct visibility with the senior leadership team including the Managing Director, your reading of customer demand will feed into our capacity and capital investment planning, and you will help define how key account management works at RET as the sales function grows. We are looking to appoint as early as possible so that the successful candidate has a full and unhurried handover of the account portfolio.
The opportunity
We are looking for a Key Account Manager to become the dedicated point of contact for a portfolio of our most important aerospace and defence customers, including major OEM and Tier 1 accounts based in and around Cheltenham.
This is a consultative, relationship-led role rather than a volume sales role. You will be close to the customer – present on their site, fluent in the technical detail of the parts we make for them, and trusted to resolve issues and shape future work. You will own the health of a multi-million pound order book while developing new business from within those accounts.
You will report to the Head of Sales and be supported by a Technical Sales Engineer and a sales administration team in our back office.
What you’ll be doing
– Acting as the dedicated, named point of contact for a portfolio of key OEM and Tier 1 aerospace and defence accounts
– Building trusted relationships across procurement, supply chain, quality, engineering and programme management
– Spending regular time on customer sites, attending reviews, programme meetings and shop floor discussions
– Holding credible technical discussions on materials, machining methods, tolerancing, special processes and inspection requirements
– Owning the health of a multi-million pound order book, working closely with our production and back office teams
– Leading customer-facing communication on delivery performance, schedule and recovery plans
– Managing commercial discussions on pricing, long-term agreements and NRE, supported by the Head of Sales
– Identifying and developing new opportunities within existing accounts – new part numbers, transferred work packages and value-added scope
– Representing RET at supplier reviews, business reviews and audits
What we’re looking for – essential
– Demonstrable experience working with OEM and / or Tier 1 aerospace and defence customers
– A technical engineering or manufacturing background sufficient to lead technical conversations with customer engineers
– Experience in a customer-facing role such as key account management, customer programme management, technical sales or commercial management
– Confident and credible in a meeting room environment, able to hold a position constructively with senior stakeholders
– Strong commercial awareness and excellent communication skills
– A positive, solution-provider attitude
– Knowledge of aerospace materials and material traceability requirements under AS9100
– Knowledge of surface treatments and special processes to aerospace AS standards
– Familiarity with PPAP / APQP, FAIR (AS9102) and Nadcap special process approvals
– Experience of customer supplier portals, scheduling agreements and long-term agreements
– Confident use of ERP, CRM and QMS systems, with the discipline to keep account and order book data accurate
– An engineering qualification (HNC, HND, degree or time-served apprenticeship)
– Full UK driving licence and the right to work in the UK
Desirable
– A base in or near the Cheltenham / Gloucestershire area (preferred, not essential)
What we offer
– Attractive salary dependent on experience, plus car allowance and benefits
– Hybrid working – customer sites, our Hampshire facilities and home
– A structured handover and induction into the account portfolio
– A high-profile role with direct access to the senior leadership team and genuine influence over how the business develops
– A growing business with a strong forward order book and continued investment in technology
Pay: Up to £65,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company events
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Free parking
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Private medical insurance
- Sick pay
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Andover, Hampshire: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Andover
