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.

Requirements

Essential

• Currently studying toward a degree in Business, Sales, Marketing, Commercial Management or a related discipline.
• Strong analytical and research skills, with the ability to gather information, identify patterns and organise findings clearly.
• Good written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence to support professional customer-facing outreach.
• Commercial curiosity and a genuine interest in B2B sales, business development and market engagement.
• Ability to produce clear, accurate and tailored written messaging for external audiences.
• Comfortable using Microsoft Office and digital research tools, with a willingness to learn CRM and AI-enabled prospecting tools.
• Strong organisation, attention to detail and discipline in managing data and activity records.
• Self-motivated, proactive and willing to learn in a fast-paced business environment.
• Must be based in Bristol and able to work from DEEP Manufacturing’s Portside location.

Desirable

• Interest in advanced manufacturing, additive manufacturing, engineering or industrial technology.
• Awareness of LinkedIn, CRM systems, website management, marketing automation or sales engagement tools.
• Familiarity with AI tools that can support research, prospecting and messaging development.
• Previous experience in a customer-facing, sales, marketing or business support role through work, university projects or extracurricular activity.

What the Placement Offers

• First-hand experience in a fast-paced B2B sales and commercial environment within a high-growth manufacturing technology business.
• Practical exposure to lead generation, structured outreach, CRM discipline, market analysis and pipeline development.
• The opportunity to work closely with experienced commercial leaders and gain visibility of how strategic opportunities are developed.
• A meaningful role contributing directly to DEEP Manufacturing’s commercial growth ambitions across global markets.

Success in Role

Success in this role will be measured by the quality, consistency and relevance of lead generation activity. This includes the creation of strong target account lists, well-researched prospect data, professional and tailored outreach, meetings generated for the Sales and Commercial team, and contribution to the development of a healthier, higher-quality sales pipeline.

Benefits

What’s in it for you

• Salary – £ competitive
• Bonus – Performance related bonus scheme.
• Pension - 9% employer contribution with an optional employee contribution
• Annual Leave – 25 days, plus statutory holidays
• Parking - Free onsite parking