Strategic Account Manager

Puffer-Sweiven; Corpus Christi (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Puffer-Sweiven in Corpus Christi, TX, is seeking a Strategic Account Leader to drive long-term partnerships with major customers in process control and automation. You will shape account strategy, manage executive relationships, and coordinate cross‑functional teams to deliver value.

The role requires 7+ years of direct technical sales to large accounts and a strong background in process automation; MBA is a plus, and a proven track record in negotiating complex agreements is essential.

Qualifications

• BS/BA degree required in a discipline that supports technical knowledge.
• MBA preferred.
• 7+ years direct technical sales to large key accounts.
• 3-5 years in process automation markets.

Responsibilities

• Develops and maintains a vision for the customer–supplier relationship.
• Leads development of an integrated account strategy.
• Coordinates execution of account strategies across units and enabling functions.
• Engages executives to support alignment, access, issue resolution, and sponsor actions.
• Creates and maintains current account plans with KPIs and value measures.

Skills

Direct technical sales

Process automation sales

Executive relationships

Account strategy

Negotiation & closing

Education

BS/BA degree in technical field

MBA preferred

Job description

Company Description

For over 80 years, Puffer-Sweiven has set the standard in equipment and services for process control, automation, safety, and reliability. We help process-intensive facilities run more efficiently and safely by delivering quality products, technical support, and knowledgeable staff to implement the needed process solutions — with the goal of exceeding customer expectations. Our dedication brings the most advanced products and services to our customers throughout the Central and Gulf Coast regions of Texas.

Specialties

• Process Control & Safety Systems
• Control Valves & Regulators
• Isolation Valves & Actuation
• Oil & Gas Automation
• Reliability Solutions & Services
• Pressure Management
• Specialty Pumps & Rotating Equipment
• Instrumentation

Company Description

For over 80 years, Puffer-Sweiven has set the standard in equipment and services for process control, automation, safety, and reliability. We help process-intensive facilities run more efficiently and safely by delivering quality products, technical support, and knowledgeable staff to implement the needed process solutions — with the goal of exceeding customer expectations. Our dedication brings the most advanced products and services to our customers throughout the Central and Gulf Coast regions of Texas.

Specialties

• Process Control & Safety Systems
• Control Valves & Regulators
• Isolation Valves & Actuation
• Oil & Gas Automation
• Reliability Solutions & Services
• Pressure Management
• Specialty Pumps & Rotating Equipment
• Instrumentation
• Maintenance & Repair Services

Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Account Leadership

• Develops and maintains a clear vision for the desired customer‑supplier relationship.
• Maintains current knowledge of the customer’s business trends, priorities, challenges, initiatives, investment direction, and decision processes.
• Leads development of one integrated account strategy through which Puffer and Emerson contribute to customer success.
• Coordinates and supports execution of account‑team strategies, initiatives, commitments, and corrective actions across business units and enabling functions.
• Engages Puffer and Emerson executives with a defined purpose to support strategic alignment, access, issue resolution, and assigned sponsor actions.
• Works with customers and the account team to establish relevant KPIs, baselines, expected outcomes, evidence sources, and measures of delivered value.
• Creates and maintains a current, evidence‑based account strategy and documented account plan for every assigned account.
• Recommends and negotiates price structures and other agreement terms within established approval authorities.
• Creates and identifies business opportunities in conjunction with sales teams, including opportunities across sites, business units, applications, products, and services.
• Facilitates implementation of the Puffer sales‑pursuit process with the sales team but does not lead individual pursuits unless separately assigned.
• Contributes to assigned objectives for profitable growth, qualified strategic pipeline, account penetration, customer value, strategic position, and project or initiative completion.

Customer Relationships & Engagement

• Demonstrates a consistent commitment to helping customers make their businesses successful.
• Develops and maintains a broad, relevant decision network that includes executive sponsors, economic buyers, budget owners, technical and operational leaders, procurement, and other stakeholders.
• Gains a deep understanding of the customer’s business and aligns Puffer and Emerson resources to the customer’s priorities and expected outcomes.
• Understands and documents the customer’s culture, policies, procedures, communication preferences, stakeholder roles, and decision‑making and approval processes.
• Facilitates agreement negotiations by coordinating legal representation and appropriate Puffer and Emerson executives within existing authority.

Qualifications

Education/Knowledge

• BS/BA degree required in a discipline that supports a technical knowledge of the business, MBA preferred.
• Extensive knowledge of industries served including LNG, Oil & Gas, Petrochemical, and/or Refining. Understanding of factors that impact business success in these industries is critical.

Experience/Skills

• 7+ Years direct technical sales and marketing experience to large key accounts.
• 3- 5 years of successful technical sales within the process automation or related markets.

COMPETENCIES

• Excellent communication skills with people at all levels of Puffer, Emerson, and customer organizations.
• Strong executive presence and ability to engage executives purposefully while building effective relationships throughout the customer’s broader decision network.
• Strong business acumen and ability to manage strategic vision and purpose in B2B relationships.
• Ability to create and execute integrated account strategies and maintain current, evidence‑based account plans, stakeholder maps, action logs, and value measures.
• Ability to position differentiated solutions and develop, document, validate, and communicate relevant customer value and Quantified Business Results.
• Ability to map and navigate complex decision networks, funding pathways, technical standards, approval processes, and implementation ownership.
• Ability to influence, align, and motivate sales, business‑unit, executive, technical, service, commercial, legal, and financial stakeholders without direct authority.
• Analytical discipline to establish baselines, select meaningful KPIs, interpret leading and lagging indicators, and distinguish activity from measurable impact.
• Consistent follow‑through, evidence quality, action closure, and clear written and verbal progress reporting.