Senior Sales Manager

SHB; Farmington Hills (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

SHB is seeking a seasoned automotive sales leader to drive growth with North American OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers. You will shape strategies, manage key accounts, and coordinate cross-functional teams to win business from RFI through award.

The role emphasizes hunter and farmer capabilities, collaboration with engineering and global HQ, and mentoring junior staff to strengthen the North American sales team.

Qualifications

• Approximately 7+ years of progressive automotive sales, business development, account management, or related commercial experience.
• Demonstrated experience in both new business development (“hunter”) and ongoing strategic account management.
• Strong knowledge of automotive OEM sourcing, RFQ, quotation, negotiation, and business-award processes.
• Technical aptitude and experience selling or supporting engineered automotive components or systems.
• Experience with electromechanical products strongly preferred, particularly electric motors, actuators, mechatronic systems, sensors, or related components.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute new business strategies with North American automotive OEMs and Tier 1 customers, with emphasis on GM, Ford, Stellantis, Tesla, and other strategic accounts.
• Identify, qualify, and mature new opportunities from initial customer engagement through RFI/RFQ, quotation, negotiation, sourcing decision, and business award.
• Manage and grow assigned existing accounts while maintaining strong customer relationships and long-term account strategy.
• Serve as the commercial lead and sales project manager during pre-award activities, coordinating engineering reviews, prototypes, proof-of-concept builds, technical proposals, timing, and customer follow-up.
• Work closely with U.S. engineering and global headquarters to translate customer requirements into competitive technical and commercial solutions.
• Build relationships across customer purchasing, engineering, product planning, and management organizations.
• Maintain a strong understanding of market trends, competitor activity, customer product plans, and future technology needs.
• Support and mentor less-experienced sales team members and contribute to overall North American sales strategy and execution.

Job description

• Develop and execute new business strategies with North American automotive OEMs and Tier 1 customers, with particular emphasis on GM, Ford, Stellantis, Tesla, and other strategic accounts.
• Identify, qualify, and mature new opportunities from initial customer engagement through RFI/RFQ, quotation, negotiation, sourcing decision, and business award.
• Manage and grow assigned existing accounts while maintaining strong customer relationships and long-term account strategy.
• Serve as the commercial lead and sales project manager during pre-award activities, coordinating engineering reviews, prototypes, proof-of-concept builds, technical proposals, timing, and customer follow-up.
• Work closely with U.S. engineering and global headquarters to translate customer requirements into competitive technical and commercial solutions.
• Build relationships across customer purchasing, engineering, product planning, and management organizations.
• Maintain a strong understanding of market trends, competitor activity, customer product plans, and future technology needs.
• Support and mentor less-experienced sales team members and contribute to overall North American sales strategy and execution.

Qualifications

• Approximately 7+ years of progressive automotive sales, business development, account management, or related commercial experience; exceptional candidates with somewhat less experience may also be considered.
• Demonstrated experience in both new business development (“hunter”) and ongoing strategic account management.
• Strong knowledge of automotive OEM sourcing, RFQ, quotation, negotiation, and business-award processes.
• Technical aptitude and experience selling or supporting engineered automotive components or systems.
• Experience with electromechanical products strongly preferred, particularly electric motors, actuators, mechatronic systems, sensors, or related components.
• Experience with a motor/actuator supplier, relevant automotive component supplier, or Tier 1 organization using these technologies is highly desirable.
• Established relationships and network within North American automotive OEMs and/or Tier 1 suppliers are a strong plus.
• Strong project ownership, follow-through, communication, negotiation, and cross-functional leadership skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, or a related field preferred; an engineering or other technical background is a plus.

Preferred

• Prior experience mentoring or leading sales or cross-functional team members.
• Ability to work effectively across U.S. and global teams and in a fast-moving, entrepreneurial environment.
• Bilingual English/Mandarin Chinese capability is a plus and would support direct collaboration with global headquarters.