Sales Manager Security and Defense

Ovako is one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of advanced engineering steel and has supplied steel for critical industrial applications for nearly 500 years. The company is now making a strategic investment in the defence industry and is looking for someone who wants to play a key role in establishing and developing Ovako’s position in one of Europe’s fastest-growing segments. At Ovako, you will have the opportunity to combine business development, an understanding of the defence industry and relationship building in a role offering substantial autonomy, high visibility and the opportunity to shape the direction of an entirely new initiative. You will join a stable industrial company with a long-term perspective, Nordic production, strong ownership and a clear ambition to grow within the defence segment. The location is flexible, although we would ideally like you to be based at our sales office in Karlskoga. You may also be based at one of our major production sites in Hofors, Smedjebacken, Boxholm or Hällefors, or at our office in Örebro. In the role of Sales Manager Security and Defense, you will be responsible for establishing, developing and strengthening Ovako’s business within the defence industry. This is a newly created role designed to develop Ovako’s long-term position throughout the defence supply chain, from OEMs and systems suppliers to subcontractors and other key players in the segment. At the heart of the role is identifying business opportunities at an early stage, building relationships with the right decision-makers and creating a strong pipeline of future defence business. You will take a strategic approach to mapping the market, projects, decision-making processes and material requirements, while moving commercial discussions forward through customer meetings, quotations, negotiations and long-term relationship development. To succeed, you need to be comfortable with long sales cycles. You understand how the defence industry operates, know where decisions are made and can build trust with technical specialists, procurement professionals and business leaders alike. The role requires a high degree of independence, and you will be expected to set your own agenda, take the initiative and drive business forward, even when results may take time to materialise. You will represent the full Ovako Group offering and work closely with the sales organisation, business units, production and R&D to translate customer needs into long-term business opportunities. We are looking for someone with an established network within the defence industry and existing relationships with relevant players, such as OEMs, systems suppliers, subcontractors or companies in related defence industries. You have experience in sales, business development, procurement or engineering within the defence sector and are accustomed to navigating complex business environments where sales cycles are often long and involve multiple stakeholders. Experience in the steel industry is an advantage, but what matters most is your understanding of the defence segment, its decision-making processes and how to build long-term business through trust and relationships. Experience in steel, component manufacturing, materials engineering or the manufacturing industry is desirable but not essential. As a person, you are commercially driven, persistent and proactive. You thrive in a role where you can establish structures, identify opportunities and move activities forward on your own initiative. At the same time, you bring a strategic perspective and the ability to understand the connections between different players throughout the defence supply chain. You naturally build trust, work in a structured way and are motivated by developing business that creates lasting value. A good command of Swedish and English, together with a category B driving licence, is essential for the role. Ideally, you hold a university qualification in a relevant field or another post-secondary qualification. Travel is part of the role. The location is flexible, although we would ideally like you to be based in central Sweden or be able to visit one of Ovako’s sites regularly. You will be offered a unique opportunity to help build Ovako’s defence industry initiative from the ground up. The role has strong support from management and Group management and gives you the opportunity to make your mark on a business area of major strategic importance to the company. Ovako combines the resources of a large industrial company with a culture where individuals make a difference. You will have autonomy and responsibility, strong support from colleagues and the opportunity to influence both the development of the business and your own professional growth. You will join a global organisation with strong industrial owners, Nordic production and a long tradition of innovation, quality and sustainability. We welcome your application today. Applications are reviewed and interviews conducted on an ongoing basis. Please submit your application below, as we do not accept applications through any other channel. If you would like to learn more about the role, please contact Made for Sales. About Ovako Ovako is a leading European manufacturer of engineering steel for customers in sectors including industry, energy, mining and automotive, as well as defence-related applications. The company has approximately 2,500 employees, annual revenue of approximately EUR 1 billion and production facilities in Sweden and Finland. Drawing on extensive industrial experience, strong materials expertise and a clear focus on sustainability, Ovako develops advanced steel solutions for some of the world’s most demanding applications. The company is part of the Nippon Steel Group through Sanyo Special Steel and has a long-term industrial owner with a strong focus on innovation and future growth.