Senior Manager, Sales & Business Development
Summary
The Senior Manager, Sales and Business Development owns North American sales, business development, and strategic account management for a global automotive supplier. This role drives revenue growth, margin performance, and long-term customer relationships.
The position serves as the senior commercial lead for OEM and Tier 1 customers while building and maintaining a strong pipeline of future business opportunities.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Develop and execute the North American sales and business development strategy aligned with company objectives.
Lead and grow strategic OEM and Tier 1 customer relationships across assigned accounts.
Own the full commercial lifecycle from opportunity identification through contract negotiation and program launch.
Identify new business opportunities, platform wins, and growth programs.
Execute account strategies that balance revenue growth, margin protection, and customer satisfaction.
Lead pricing strategy, quotations, and commercial negotiations within approved guidelines.
Forecast revenue, demand, and program risks with accuracy and discipline.
Represent the voice of the customer internally with engineering, operations, quality, and supply chain teams.
Support new product development, engineering changes, and program launch execution.
Monitor market trends, competitive activity, and customer strategies.
Ensure compliance with customer and audit requirements including IATF, ISO, and information security standards where applicable.
Report sales performance, pipeline health, and forecasts to senior leadership.
Leadership and Collaboration
Provide commercial leadership across cross-functional teams without direct authority.
Mentor and guide sales or account management team members when applicable.
Promote disciplined sales processes, CRM usage, and data-driven decision making.
Align closely with marketing, engineering, and operations to deliver strong customer value.
Performance Expectations
Achievement of annual revenue and new business targets.
Protection and improvement of gross margin.
High customer retention and satisfaction levels.
Successful program launches and change management.
Accurate forecasting and disciplined pipeline management.
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Strong organizational, interpersonal, analytical, and communication skills are required.
Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, or a related field.
Eight or more years of progressive experience in sales, business development, or strategic account management.
Proven success managing complex OEM or Tier 1 customer relationships.
Strong negotiation, financial, and cost analysis skills.
Experience managing long-cycle, high-value programs across multiple sites.
Proficiency with CRM systems and sales analytics tools.
Preferred Qualifications
Automotive industry experience, particularly in interiors, seating, foam, or trim systems.
Experience working with global or European-based organizations.
Exposure to both automotive and industrial customer models.
MBA or advanced business training.
Key Competencies
Strategic and analytical thinking
Customer-focused execution
Commercial judgment and financial acumen
Clear and direct communication
Accountability and integrity
Results-driven leadership
Travel
Up to 40% domestic travel
Occasional international travel
Work Environment and Physical Demands
This role operates in office, plant, and customer environments. Travel to customer and manufacturing locations is required. Physical demands are consistent with standard office and manufacturing environments. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.