Senior Business Development Manager - Transformer & Substation Technologies

Senior Business Development Manager – Transformer & Substation Technologies
Position Overview

Sanyo Corporation of America is seeking an experienced Senior Business Development Manager to lead North American market development for advanced transformer, high-voltage connection, and substation technologies manufactured by SWCC Corporation of Japan.

This is not a traditional territory sales role or a general renewable-energy business development position . The successful candidate will be responsible for developing new customers and establishing a North American market position for technologies that are proven internationally but are at an early stage of commercialization in the United States.

The primary focus will be developing relationships with power transformer manufacturers , electric utilities, substation EPC contractors, engineering firms, and other organizations involved in specifying, evaluating, qualifying, and purchasing high-voltage equipment.

We are particularly interested in candidates who understand how a new electrical component moves from initial technical introduction through engineering evaluation, testing, supplier qualification, approved-vendor processes, RFQ, and design-in .

This position is ideal for a professional who enjoys building a market from the ground up, opening new accounts, and working directly with transformer engineering, strategic sourcing, procurement, supplier quality, utility engineering, and executive-level stakeholders.

Location: Flexible within the United States

What You Will Do

• Develop and execute the North American market-entry and business development strategy for transformer and substation technologies.
• Identify, prioritize, and develop new accounts among power transformer OEMs , electric utilities, EPC contractors, engineering firms, high-voltage equipment manufacturers, transformer service companies, and other strategic stakeholders.
• Build direct relationships with transformer engineering, product management, strategic sourcing, procurement, supplier quality, utility engineering, and executive-level decision-makers.
• Introduce advanced high-voltage components and connection technologies to new customers and strategic partners.
• Identify customer applications and translate technical requirements into actionable opportunities in coordination with engineering teams in the United States and Japan.
• Manage opportunities from prospecting and technical introduction through engineering evaluation, testing, supplier qualification, approved-vendor onboarding, RFQ, design-in, and commercialization .
• Coordinate customer technical evaluations, product samples, pilot applications, and qualification activities.
• Gather customer requirements including voltage class, BIL, current rating, interfaces, dimensional requirements, applicable standards, testing requirements, lead time, and customer-specific specifications.
• Support gap analysis between existing IEC-based products and applicable North American requirements.
• Coordinate with customers, engineering teams, and independent testing organizations to establish appropriate North American testing and qualification pathways.
• Build relationships with utilities, EPCs, and engineering firms that influence transformer and substation equipment specifications and approved-manufacturer decisions.
• Gather market intelligence regarding transformer components, bushings, cable accessories, competitors, pricing, lead times, specifications, and qualification requirements.
• Represent the company at transformer, utility, transmission and distribution industry associations, technical meetings, trade shows, and customer meetings across North America.
• Maintain disciplined account plans, CRM records, technical action items, qualification milestones, and opportunity pipelines.
• Collaborate closely with technical and business teams in both the United States and Japan.
• Support the longer-term development of U.S. capabilities, including local inventory, technical support, installation/service partnerships, and potential manufacturing or licensing partnerships.
  

Technologies and Solutions

The selected candidate will support the commercialization of advanced power-infrastructure technologies, including:

• High-voltage transformer bushings
• SWCC Direct Molded Bushings
• SICONEX high-voltage cable connection and termination systems
• Dry-type and solid-insulation systems
• Transformer and GIS cable interfaces
• High-voltage cable terminations and accessories
• Substation and grid-infrastructure components
• Next-generation transmission and distribution technologies
  

Target Applications

• Power transformers
• Utility substations
• Transformer replacement and retrofit applications
• GIS and high-voltage cable connections
• Transmission and distribution networks
• Data center power infrastructure
• Renewable generation interconnections
• Grid modernization programs
• Large industrial and high-load electrical infrastructure projects
  

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years of relevant experience in business development, technical sales, product management, application engineering, strategic account management, or related commercial roles involving power transformers, transformer components, high-voltage equipment, substations, switchgear/GIS, or high-voltage cable systems.
• Demonstrated direct experience working with one or more of the following:
• Power transformer manufacturers
• Transformer-component manufacturers
• Electric utilities
• Substation EPC contractors
• Power engineering firms
• High-voltage equipment manufacturers
• Proven experience developing new customers, new accounts, or new markets , rather than solely managing established customer relationships.
• Experience supporting the introduction of a new technical product or supplier through one or more of the following:
• Engineering evaluation
• Product testing
• Supplier qualification
• Supplier quality review
• Approved-vendor registration
• Technical approval
• Design-in
• Working knowledge of North American electrical-equipment standards, specifications, and qualification processes, with experience working with IEEE, ANSI, NEMA, AEIC, ICEA, IEC, utility specifications, OEM requirements, and/or applicable third-party testing organizations .
• Ability to communicate effectively with engineering organizations regarding technical requirements such as voltage class, BIL, current rating, insulation systems, interfaces, dimensions, testing, and qualification requirements.
• Experience managing complex technical-commercial sales cycles involving engineering, quality, sourcing, procurement, operations, and senior management.
• Ability to independently identify, develop, and advance opportunities in a greenfield North American market-development environment .
• Strong communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship-development skills.
• Ability to work effectively with overseas engineering and manufacturing organizations across time zones and cultures.
• Ability to travel regularly throughout North America and periodically to Japan.
• Authorized to work in the United States.
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous employment with, or direct technical/commercial experience selling to, a power transformer OEM.
• Existing professional relationships with transformer manufacturers such as Hitachi Energy, Siemens Energy, Prolec GE, Mitsubishi Electric Power Products