Export Sales Manager - India (M/F)

Let's build a future of trust together

Thales is a global high-tech leader specializing in three sectors: Defense & Security, Aeronautics & Space, and Cyber & Digital. It develops products and solutions that contribute to a safer, more environmentally friendly, and more inclusive world. The Group invests nearly 4 billion euros per year in Research & Development, particularly in key innovation areas such as AI, cybersecurity, quantum, cloud technologies, and 6G. Thales has nearly 81,000 employees in 68 countries.

Our commitments, your benefits

• A success driven by our technological excellence, your experience and our shared ambition
• An attractive compensation package
• Continuous skills development: training courses, academies and internal communities
• An inclusive, benevolent environment respecting employee balance
• Recognized societal and environmental commitment

Your daily life

At the heart of Saint Quentin en Yvelines, the Elancourt site is one of Thales' most important technological centers of excellence. The diversity and technicality of the systems and equipment mobilize expertise in more than 80 professions in defense, high-tech security, and digital services solutions.

As part of its development strategy in India, Thales is looking for an Export Sales Manager to lead optronics activities in this key market. Based in France, you will be the commercial reference for all terrestrial optronics activities in India, in close collaboration with local Thales teams and industrial partners, in a competitive and demanding context marked by the "Make In India" initiative and its challenges of technology transfer and production localization.

Main missions:

• Commercial development and local coordination
• Pilot and develop sales of terrestrial optronic products in India, in conjunction with local Thales teams and strategic partners.
• Define and implement winning capture strategies within a team.
• Negotiate and conclude contracts in compliance with internal processes and export rules.
• Be the reference for all optronic activities in the country, ensuring consistency and synergy among different stakeholders.
• Support the deployment of "Make In India" programs, particularly regarding technology transfer, production localization, and regulatory compliance.

• Partnership management and collaboration
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with local Thales teams, local industrial partners, integrators, end customers, and Indian authorities.
• Federate a capture team with technical, bid, legal, financial, compliance, and purchasing teams to ensure the success of offers aligned with the strategy.

• Competitive context and reporting
• Analyze competition and developments in the Indian industrial and military market to adapt commercial offers and position Thales as a leader in the terrestrial optronics segment.
• Perform regular and concise reporting to the French commercial management and local teams in India, ensuring good information flow.

• Mobility and flexibility
• Undertake regular trips to India to strengthen team spirit, field presence, support partners and customers, and participate in commercial or technical reviews.

Your profile:

• Solid experience (5-10 years) in international trade, ideally with knowledge of the Indian market and/or the defense sector.
• Recognized leadership with an ability to influence a complex network of stakeholders, strategic agility, and a results-oriented mindset.
• Ability to work in a matrix mode, in collaboration with local teams and multiple partners.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a sense of partnership in a multicultural context.
• Perfect command of French and English is essential.
• Availability for regular travel to India, autonomy, and great rigor in file follow-up.

Thales, a Handi-Engaged company, recognizes all talents. Diversity is our best asset. Apply and join us!