Key Account Manager

Tenneco; Northville (CT); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Tenneco is seeking a Key Account Manager / Business Development Manager to drive profitable growth with strategic customers in the transportation sector. You will lead the quotation strategy, coordinate cross-functional teams, and strengthen relationships with major OEMs to win future business awards.

In this role, you will develop account growth plans, manage pricing and program profitability, and ensure alignment between customer expectations and company objectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, or related field (MBA preferred).
• 8–12+ years in business development, sales, or commercial strategy (automotive/manufacturing preferred).
• Direct experience with Ford, Rivian, or similar OEM customers strongly preferred.
• Strong executive presence with ability to influence senior stakeholders.
• Deep understanding of OEM sourcing, RFQs, and program award cycles.
• Willingness to travel as needed to support customer engagements and pursuits.

Responsibilities

• Lead commercial strategy and execution for key customer accounts to improve profitability and growth.
• Serve as primary customer interface coordinating cross-functional teams to meet commitments.
• Lead quotation strategy and team for future opportunities with competitive, profitable proposals.
• Develop and execute account growth plans identifying new business opportunities.
• Drive commercial performance through pricing, recoveries, profitability, and negotiations.
• Provide leadership to quotation process, aligning customer expectations with objectives.

Skills

Executive presence

Strategic thinking

Customer relationship management

Negotiation

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree (MBA preferred)

Job description

At Tenneco, we don’t follow industry standards; we set them, and we don’t settle for being best-in-class because we hustle to be better than best-in-class. Whether it’s our Core Values – radical candor, simplify, organizational velocity, tenacious execution and win – or our Get Stuff Done (GSD) mindset, we’re determined to become the most trusted partner and best manufacturer and distributor to the transportation industry.

With a product portfolio as expansive as it is innovative, an obsessive commitment to quality and excellence, and a global presence, we’re all about getting stuff done, so we can win.

How do we make it happen? Through the Tenneco Way. Fueled by our Core Values, a winning mindset and a relentless commitment to excellence, the Tenneco Way is how we win. It’s what keeps Team Tenneco bold, driven, and unapologetically focused on pushing past limits and redefining success.

Here, you’ll work alongside a team of relentless problem-solvers who are committed to making a tangible impact. If you’re ready to break boundaries, deliver results, and enjoy the ride along the way, you’ll thrive here.

Want to learn more about who we are? Check out our website to discover the Tenneco Way

The Key Account Manager / Business Development Manager is a strategic leadership role responsible for driving account performance, strengthening customer relationships, and delivering profitable growth. Serving as the primary customer interface, this role works closely with cross-functional teams to improve business results, ensure alignment with customer expectations, and support long‑term account success.

A key aspect of the role is leading the quotation strategy for future business opportunities. This includes coordinating cross-functional teams, developing competitive and profitable proposals, evaluating growth opportunities, and positioning the organization to secure new business awards. The successful candidate will combine strong customer leadership, business acumen, and strategic thinking to improve profitability, expand market share, and support the company's growth objectives.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead commercial strategy and execution for key customer accounts, driving actions to improve profitability, strengthen customer relationships, resolve business challenges, and identify opportunities for growth.
• Serve as the primary customer interface, coordinating cross-functional teams across Sales, Engineering, Operations, Program Management, Purchasing, and Finance to ensure customer commitments are met.
• Lead the quotation strategy and quotation team for future business opportunities, ensuring competitive, accurate, and profitable commercial proposals that support the company's growth objectives.
• Develop and execute account growth plans by identifying new business opportunities, building strong customer relationships, and positioning the organization for future program awards.
• Drive commercial performance through effective management of pricing, recoveries, program profitability, contract negotiations, and overall account financial health.
• Provide leadership and direction to the quotation process and team, developing commercial capabilities, improving processes, and ensuring alignment between customer expectations and business objectives.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, or related field (MBA preferred)
• 8–12+ years of experience in business development, sales, or commercial strategy, ideally within automotive or advanced manufacturing
• Direct experience working with Ford, Rivian, or similar OEM customers strongly preferred
• Strong executive presence with the ability to influence senior customer stakeholders
• Deep understanding of OEM sourcing processes, RFQs, and program award cycles
• Highly strategic, competitive, and results‑driven mindset
• Willingness to travel as needed to support customer engagements and program pursuits

Equal opportunity employer as to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities