Pacific International is partnering with a $300M+ global leader in sensor technology to identify an Automotive Key Account & Business Development Manager to help accelerate the growth of its North American automotive business. Headquartered in Europe with an established global automotive presence, the company is recognized for highly innovative sensing technologies used across advanced automotive, mobility, and other technical applications. This is a highly strategic opportunity for someone based in Michigan to help further establish and grow the company’s presence within the automotive ecosystem. The role will combine key account management and business development, with ownership of several major automotive OEM relationships. Some customer relationships are already established, while others represent significant white space and will require someone who can open doors, build credibility, develop relationships, and identify new opportunities across complex customer organizations. This role will work closely with Engineering, R&D, Product Management, Field Application Engineering, and global commercial teams to identify customer needs, build a qualified opportunity pipeline, and move long cycle opportunities from early engagement through technical validation and commercialization.
Key Responsibilities:
Own and further develop relationships with several major automotive OEMs across the Detroit and broader North American market.
Identify, qualify, and develop new business opportunities within both existing and emerging customer relationships.
Build strong relationships across customer engineering, R&D, product development, procurement, and commercial teams.
Develop a deep understanding of customer platforms, applications, technical requirements, and future product roadmaps.
Translate customer needs and market opportunities into actionable commercial and technical opportunities for the broader organization.
Work closely with Field Application Engineering, Product Management, R&D, and global teams to support customer development and technical validation.
Lead opportunities through long cycle automotive sales processes, including early engagement, RFQ, technical evaluation, nomination, design in, and commercialization.
Develop and execute strategic account plans focused on long term customer growth and market penetration.
Build a qualified opportunity pipeline and identify areas to expand the company’s share within targeted OEMs.
Lead commercial discussions, pricing, forecasting, negotiations, and customer strategy.
Provide market intelligence around customer needs, competitive activity, technology trends, and future automotive applications.
Collaborate closely with teams in Europe and other global regions within an international matrix organization.
Represent the organization at customer meetings, industry events, and trade shows while continuing to build relationships across the automotive ecosystem.
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree; Ideally in Engineering, Physics, or another related technical discipline.5–10 years of experience within technical sales, business development, key account management, or strategic customer development.
Experience selling highly engineered products, components, sensors, semiconductors, electronics, controls, or other technical solutions.
Strong technical aptitude with the ability to communicate credibly with engineering and product development stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to develop new business, open customer relationships, and build opportunities within large, complex organizations.
Experience within automotive is highly preferred, including exposure to OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, automotive technology companies, or related markets.
Experience managing long cycle technical sales opportunities and working through complex customer development processes is preferred.
Strong commercial acumen with experience in account strategy, pipeline development, forecasting, pricing, and negotiation.
Ability to collaborate effectively across Engineering, Product Management, commercial, and global teams.
Experience operating within an international or matrixed organization is preferred.
Strong communication, relationship building, and stakeholder management skills.
Curious, collaborative, humble, and comfortable operating within a fast growing environment where the individual will have the opportunity to help shape the business.
Location / Travel:
Remote based in Michigan, with a strong preference for candidates located in or near the Detroit automotive market. Approximately 25–30% travel
