Job Description

The Aviation and Defense Business Unit of IFS seeks a qualified Solution Architect/Presales Engineer with experience in manufacturing, supply chain management, and/or after-market service to help us grow our enterprise software sales. As part of the A&D Sales Team, this person will play a vital role in generating significant sales revenue and gross margin for IFS. During the sales process with prospects and customers, Solution Architect responsibilities are to respond to Request for Proposals (RFPs), assess the degree of solution fit, set good customer expectations, review application software capabilities, and convey how the solution will benefit the customer. Working as part of a global team including the Key Account Manager, Sales management, and other Solution and Business Architects, this person plays a key role in winning good, profitable business for IFS. 

We are looking for an energetic person that can leverage existing aviation and defense industry knowledge, software sales/implementation experience, presentation/demonstration skills, and creativity to help win significant enterprise software license revenue. A Solution Architect is expected to be knowledgeable in our products and services, as well as general industry expectations and requirements for these types of solutions. It is further expected that employees conduct their activities in an equitable manner according to IFS Code of Conduct, IFS Philosophy and Policy as enunciated by the executive team and the President from time to time.

This position will give you the rare opportunity to learn all aspects of our business and work with people at all levels of the organization. You must be a person that works hard every day to do better than you did the day before. You must be a person that is not happy with the status quo and willing to create new opportunities for yourself. The successful candidate must be passionate about closing license sales, achieving outstanding results, be career-minded, and goal oriented.

In this position, you will be responsible for devising solutions to specific prospect business problems using IFS products, and demonstrating these solutions to prospective customers. Your objective is to help win new business that generates revenue from license and maintenance sales.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

• Assisting the Sales Cycle in developing Sales Strategies.
• Responding to Request for Proposals (RFPs).
• Conducting prospect surveys, to identify customer and prospect’s key business issues.
• Understanding prospect business pains and how IFS capabilities address those pains.
• Assessing the degree of solution fit and documenting gap areas.
• Assist in preparing and presenting compelling product demonstrations, striving to position IFS as best solution provider for the prospect.
• Assist in preparing and presenting compelling implementation strategies, striving to position IFS as the low total cost solution provider.
• Assist in setting good customer expectations.
• A strong desire to work as a team with Regional Account Managers, Major Account Manager and other Consultants.
• Continually embracing new functional and technological products.
• Preparing industry specific tool kits including PowerPoint, Business Models, Demonstration scripts, demo data, and white papers.
• Preparing written updates as required, including but not limited to status reports, sales win strategies, demonstration assessments, and timely reporting of time and expenses.
• Have a valid passport and the ability to travel 70-80% of the time.
• Significant travel, including potentially international travel, will be required.

Qualifications

• 5 years of Enterprise Application Software experience required; with a complex solution for military operators and/or defense in-service support providers. Preference for naval asset experience.
• 5 years of Aviation and/or Defense experience required.
• Strong business and application software knowledge required.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills.
• A strong self-starter with personal initiative and drive.
• Strong organization skills, attention to detail, creative, and thorough.
• Ability to work as part of a team to get resolution to client and prospect issues.
• Contribute to a positive work environment.

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.