Senior Director, New Business Development

Job Description

Job Description

Job Summary:

The Senior Director, New Business Development is responsible for leading the growth of American Battery Solutions’ (“ABS”) revenue and market presence across all Lithium-ion battery product lines. This role is responsible for outside commercial and technical sales activities for new customer opportunities through overseeing sales and applications engineering teams. As the Senior Director, New Business Development this role will combine strategic sales leadership and deep industry expertise and network to develop and execute comprehensive strategies that align with ABS goals and customer needs.

This position will be responsible for developing and executing strategic sales initiatives to drive revenue growth, and margin achievement. This role requires strong technical knowledge of lithium-ion batteries, the electric vehicle (EV), and industrial market segments, and relationships with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), integrators, and distributors in these markets.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute a comprehensive sales strategy for the North American region aligned with company goals.
• Identify target market segments (e.g., commercial EVs, off-highway vehicles, specialty vehicles) and prioritize go-to market efforts.
• Establish sales targets and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), ensuring performance against revenue and profitability goals.
• Develop and execute a unified go-to-market strategy across product lines and verticals, driving growth in both new and established markets.
• Build and manage a robust pipeline of OEMs, fleet operators, and integrators.
• Lead the identification and pursuit of new strategic accounts and partnerships.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key decision-makers and stakeholders within target accounts.
• Implement a systematic approach to prospecting, qualifying, and closing new business opportunities.
• Drive sales growth through effective account management and customer retention strategies.
• Develop and implement account plans to maximize revenue and customer satisfaction.
• Conduct regular business reviews with key accounts to ensure alignment with customer needs and identify opportunities for upselling and cross-selling.
• Address and resolve customer issues promptly to maintain high levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty.
• Lead the sales team to achieve and exceed sales targets.
• Recruit, train, and mentor a high-performing sales team.
• Set clear performance expectations and provide ongoing coaching and feedback.
• Foster a culture of accountability, performance, and continuous improvement within the sales team.
• Serve as the commercial lead during Request for Quotation (RFQ) and Request for Information (RFI) processes.
• Collaborate with engineering, finance, and legal teams to develop competitive and compelling proposals.
• Ensure timely and accurate responses to RFQs and RFIs, positioning ABS as the preferred supplier.
• Report regularly to executive leadership on KPIs, wins/losses, risks, and market feedback.
• Provide insights and recommendations to inform strategic decision-making.
• Monitor market trends and competitor activities to identify opportunities and threats.
• Support brand strategy, product marketing, and communications to strengthen marketing positioning and customer engagement.
• Collaborate with product management and engineering to provide customer feedback and influence product roadmap.
• Foster a culture of accountability, performance, and technical excellence.
• Adhere to federal and state regulations.
• Adhere to all company policies, processes, and procedures.
• Performs other duties as requested, directed, or assigned.
• Predictable and reliable attendance.

Position Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Engineering, or an equivalent field.
• Master of Business Administration (MBA) or advanced technical degree preferred.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of experience in Lithium-ion battery sales or business development role.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressive leadership experience.
• Must be highly self-motivated and proactive.
• Consultative selling skills, with the ability to understand customer needs and develop a winning solution. Demonstrated success influencing senior-level stakeholders.
• Ability to communicate, present and influence all levels of the organization, including executive and C-level.
• Demonstrable and proven experience as head of sales or director of sales, developing client-focused, differentiated, and achievable solutions, meeting, or exceeding targets.
• Ability to work in a dynamic start-up environment where initiative and ownership is required.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite & Salesforce Customer Relationship Management (CRM).
• Excellent analytical, communication, and presentation skills.

Key Competencies:

• Identifies Growth Opportunities: Continually looks for business/service growth opportunities. Takes action to improve things to achieve continuous improvement.
• Customer Focus: Anticipates and takes action to meet customer needs. Establishes and maintains a productive and effective working relationship with customers, both internal and external, and gains their trust and respect.
• Takes Initiative: Exhibits strong drive for results and success; conveys a sense of urgency and drives issues to closure; persists despite obstacles and opposition.
• Delivers Results: Achievement-oriented, feeling a sense of urgency to reach goals on time, if not before.
• Partnership Development: Establishes productive and effective relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Organization and Planning: Establishes a systematic course for self and/or others to assure accomplishment of objectives. Determines priorities and allocates time and resources effectively.
• Communications: Exchanges thoughts, feelings, and information effectively.

Physical Requirements / Working Conditions:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office equipment.
• Ability to adjust focus, especially due to concentration on a computer screen.
• May need to lift and carry up to 30 pounds and/or position the body to reach items on the floor/below knee level or reach overhead.
• The person in this position needs to occasionally move about in industrial environments, and on uneven terrain.
• Works in a temperature-controlled office environment, with occasional work in outdoor weather conditions, and in industrial environments.
• The noise level in the work environment can be moderately loud.

Why Join Us

American Battery Solutions (ABS) provides comprehensive 100% employer paid benefit plans to employees and their family, competitive salary and retirement program. ABS employs a diverse and inclusive workforce.

Benefits Overview

• Paid time off includes 3 weeks vacation, up to 72 hours sick, 15 holidays, and parental leave.
• 100% company-paid medical, dental, vision, short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) offerings.
• Company provided 401K savings plan with immediately vested matching contributions to help you save for retirement.
• Voluntary benefits offerings.
• Tuition assistance.
• Employee Referral Program.
• Employee development and career growth opportunities.

About Us

American Battery Solutions Inc. (“ABS”) is a manufacturer of advanced batteries for commercial, fleet, and industrial on- and off-road vehicles. Located in the heart of the U.S. automotive region with facilities in Michigan and Ohio. In 2023, ABS was acquired by Komatsu, a world leader in construction, mining, forestry, and industrial heavy equipment in support of Komatsu’s 2050 carbon neutrality goal. ABS continues to operate as an independent entity serving Komatsu applications while continuing to expand and grow our core commercial, fleet and industrial business.

As we have grown, ABS has assembled a world-class team of dedicated and experienced engineers. This team is equipped with a deep understanding of high-voltage, automotive-grade battery systems from concept development and prototyping, to testing and validation, to high-volume production. We pride ourselves on developing a diverse team of next generation battery experts.

The Location - Lake Orion

American Battery Solutions Headquarters and Innovation Center is located in the heart of South-East Michigan in Orion Township. Orion Township is a Pure Michigan Trail Town that has a long-standing dedication to enhancing trails and pathways in its community, which is home to the Polly Ann Trail, Paint Creek Trail, and Iron Belle Trail. The township has more than 50 miles of trails. Southeast Michigan also boasts some of the best eating around! Whether your interest is in furthering your education, enjoying one of the many regional sporting events, or enjoying the vast outdoors that Michigan has to offer, you’ll be at the center of it here!

AMERICAN BATTERY SOLUTIONS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.