Strategic Account Business Development Manager

Position: Strategic Account Business Development Manager Location: Auburn Hills, MI Job Id: 287 # of Openings: 1 Strategic Account & Business Development Manager This role is responsible for expanding Kasa's established automotive business and growing it into new markets.You will protect and deepen Kasa's long-standing end-user relationships while opening doors at manufacturers outside our current account base- diversifying our portfolio across new OEMs, integrators, and programs. The role performs the full cycle: identifying and qualifying opportunities, reviewing specifications with estimating and engineering, shaping pricing strategy, developing proposals, and negotiating contracts to close. We are looking for someone who can operate independently in the field and work effectively with an internal team, with the drive to build business rather than wait for it. This position is part of Kasa's five-year growth plan and is positioned to become a cornerstone of our future sales organization. Maintains and grows Kasa’s book of business with current automotive end users, protecting existing accounts and surfacing follow-on opportunities. Introduces Kasa to automotive end users outside of our current account base, leveraging established relationships with decision-makers, engineering, and procurement leaders at other OEMs (e.g., Ford, Stellantis, Nissan) to get Kasa in the door. Brings and actively cultivates a network of contacts at automotive manufacturers beyond General Motors to open doors for new business and new program awards. Identifies, qualifies, and prioritizes new end-user accounts and integrator pathways that expand Kasa’s footprint across the automotive market. Partners with the internal program manager, estimating, and engineering teams to review new customer specifications and assess technical fit, feasibility, and pricing strategy. Ensures Kasa is contractually aligned with each new end user by coordinating early review of specifications, terms, and commercial requirements with internal stakeholders before commitments are made. Understands and has knowledge of industrial controls systems. Communicates with vendors regarding pricing, component selection and solution development. Communicates with clients via phone, video conferencing, face-to-face meetings, and email. Develops and delivers customized written proposals with relevant clarifications. Maintains confidentiality regarding projects, pricing, and client communication. Understands and adheres to internal document control and distribution processes. Understands and interprets project specifications. Understands contract drawings. Understands and interprets contracts. Analyzes project financial history including material, labor, and profits. Develops a sales strategy for lead generation and opportunity management in line with our strategic ambitions and long-term plan Develops and pursues profitable sales leads to achieve planned order intake and profit level in accordance with the sales strategy Uses Kasa’s CRM to its full potential by tracking customer information, account activity, logging calls, and maintaining sales funnel. Develops an effective strategy based on a thorough assessment of the customer's decision-making process and using appropriate stakeholder management tools Conducts initial specification review and coordinate sales material, a pricing strategy, and the proposal content Negotiates contracts for awarded projects to a successful closing in line with the company's legal requirements Provides input to weekly/monthly departmental activity reports and manage sales documentation and data for Bid/No Bid decision making Pursues/maintains a healthy pipeline of opportunities and applies active funnel management Maintains and builds relationships and customer satisfaction that meets Kasa's standards Reads a Scope of Work for a system, understands what is required, and clarifies any scope of work, timing, or budget issues at the beginning of the project and as issues arise. Drives internal estimate reviews, internal kickoff meetings, and external critical customer meetings Has a general understanding of overall project financial performance Builds and maintains deep, long-term relationships with the end users and integrators we serve, serving as a trusted partner across multiple projects and engagements. Complies with safety policies, ISO QMS requirements, and operational procedures. Ability to maintain an acceptable driving record (MVR). Participates in continuous improvement efforts including kaizens and quality escape procedures. Education & Experience One-year certificate from college or technical school; or one to three years’ experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience required. Bachelor's degree preferred. Experience with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams required. Several years of business development, sales, and/or project management experience with Fortune 500 companies in the automotive industry (e.g., General Motors, Ford, Stellantis) strongly preferred. Established network of relationships with decision-makers, engineering, and procurement contacts at automotive manufacturers beyond General Motors, with a demonstrated ability to open doors and create new business opportunities. Familiarity with controls, automation, and/or electrical integration in a manufacturing environment preferred. Resides in, or is willing to relocate to, the Detroit, Michigan metropolitan area preferred. This position primarily operates in a clerical setting. It routinely requires the use of standard office equipment, such as computers, phones, copiers, and fax machines. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 4:30 pm. Additional hours are required as job duties demand. This role requires travel for customer and prospect meetings, routine sales travel calls, industrial facilities tours, and attendance at multi-day trainings and trade shows. Nearly all travel is within the US, Canada, and Mexico; however, travel worldwide is possible. Physical Demands This is largely a sedentary role. The position will require frequent sitting, standing, walking, talking, and hearing. Occasionally, it may require reaching, bending, and/or lifting to 25lbs. Performance of the required duties will require physical ability to occasionally climb permanent and temporary stairs, climb ladders, negotiate work areas under construction, and balance. It may also require stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling. Intent and Function of Job Descriptions: Job descriptions assist organizations in ensuring that the hiring process is fairly administered and that qualified employees are selected.They are also essential to an effective appraisal system and related decisions regarding promotion, transfer, layoff, and termination. Well-constructed job descriptions are an integral part of any effective compensation system. All descriptions have been reviewed to ensure that only essential functions and basic duties have been included. Peripheral tasks, only incidentally related to each position, have been excluded. Requirements, skills, and abilities included have been determined to be the minimal standards required to successfully perform the positions. In no instance, however, should the duties, responsibilities, and requirements delineated be interpreted as all-inclusive. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, requirements may be modified to reasonably accommodate disabled individuals. However, no accommodation will be made that may pose serious health or safety risks to the employee or others, or that impose undue hardships on the organization. Job descriptions are not intended as and do not create employment contracts. The organization maintains its status as an at-will employer. Employees can be terminated for any reason not prohibited by law. Statement of Understanding I understand the description of this job and the essential job functions stated above. I also understand that not all duties are described in full detail and that I will perform these duties as directed by my supervisor or management. This job description may be amended or changed without advance notice. #J-18808-Ljbffr Kasa Companies