Sales & Commercial Lead Generation - Placement Student

We are seeking a motivated, commercially curious and highly organised Placement Student to support lead generation and early-stage business development activity across DEEP Manufacturing’s priority sectors, including defence, aerospace, energy, marine and other industrial markets.

This role is designed to help create a structured flow of high-quality opportunities into the commercial pipeline whilst aiding with the creation of messaging and marketing materials for target audiences. The successful candidate will research target companies, identify relevant individuals, build prospect lists, support tailored outreach campaigns, and help secure introductory meetings for the Sales and Commercial team.

The role will use a range of modern market tools, including CRM platforms, LinkedIn, digital databases, and AI-enabled research and messaging tools, to identify prospects and improve outreach effectiveness. It is a practical entry-level role at the front end of the business’s commercial growth activity, offering first-hand experience in B2B sales within an innovative advanced manufacturing environment.

This placement would suit a student studying business, sales, marketing, commercial management or a related discipline, with a strong interest in market analysis, customer engagement and how commercial pipelines are built in fast-paced growth companies.

Key Responsibilities

Lead Generation & Market Research

• Identify target companies, programmes, sectors and decision-makers aligned with DEEP Manufacturing’s strategic growth priorities.
• Research prospective customers to understand their business activities, potential needs, market drivers, and likely fit for DEEP Manufacturing’s capabilities.
• Build and maintain structured target account and contact lists using market intelligence, LinkedIn, digital tools, internal data sources and AI-enabled research tool.
• Support segmentation of prospects by application, market, geography, strategic fit and potential commercial value.
• Spot trends, new entrants and emerging organisations that may represent future opportunities for DEEP Manufacturing.

 Structured Outreach & Messaging

• Support the development and execution of structured outreach campaigns designed to generate interest and secure introductory meetings.
• Draft clear, professional and tailored first-contact messages and follow-up communications with the support of the Marketing Manager for different market segments and customer types.
• Use approved AI and digital tools to improve prospect research and personalise outreach while maintaining message quality, relevance and consistency.
• Support outbound activity across agreed channels, including email, LinkedIn and other approved business development platforms.
• Track prospect engagement and ensure timely follow-up so opportunities can be handed over effectively to the Sales and Commercial team.

CRM, Reporting & Pipeline Support

• Maintain accurate records of target accounts, contacts, outreach activity, responses and meeting outcomes within DEEP Manufacturing’s CRM and internal trackers.
• Help ensure leads are researched, relevant and qualified to an agreed standard before they enter the active sales pipeline.
• Monitor and report on key activity measures such as target accounts identified, contacts sourced, outreach completed, response rates and meetings generated.
• Support continuous improvement of lead generation processes, campaign quality and data discipline.

Internal Collaboration

• Work closely with the Sales & Commercial Director, Marketing Campaign Manager and US Sales Leader as well as wider commercial team to align targeting activity with DEEP Manufacturing’s strategic priorities.
• Collaborate with technical, marketing and commercial colleagues to ensure outreach messaging reflects DEEP Manufacturing’s capabilities and customer value proposition.
• Participate in internal reviews and share research findings, market observations and campaign feedback.