Industry: Manufacturer
Location: Novi, MI
Salary: $100k-$150k (DOE)
Visa Sponsor: No
Language: English: Business Level, Japanese: Business Level
Detail: We are seeking an experienced Automotive Business Development Manager with a strong background in automotive interior and exterior materials to lead new business development efforts in the North American market. The ideal candidate has experience working with automotive OEMs and Tier suppliers and possesses business-level Japanese proficiency to communicate effectively with the Company's headquarters in Japan.
Title: Business Development Manager
Industry: Manufacturer
Employment Type: Exempt
Location: Near Detroit, MI (Hybrid)
Salary: $100k-$150k (DOE) + Bonus
Report to: Director & GM
Job Summary
Lead new business development efforts for the Company's newly developed automotive products, including exterior decorative films and Human Machine Interface (HMI) products, with automobile manufacturers, OEMs, and other prospective customers in North America. This position is responsible for introducing new products to the market, identifying and developing new clients, building long-term customer relationships, and expanding the Company's market presence through proactive sales and business development activities.
Duties and Responsibilities
Develop and execute sales and business development strategies to introduce the Company's newly developed automotive products to the North American market and create new business opportunities.
Identify, approach, and develop new clients, including automobile manufacturers, OEMs, Tier suppliers, and other prospective customers in target markets.
Build strong relationships with new customers by understanding their product needs, design requirements, development timelines, and decision-making processes.
Manage new business development activities, including sales presentations, product introductions, sample development, order solicitation, production coordination, and post-sale follow-up.
Communicate regularly with customers' Purchasing, Quality Control, R&D, Design, and Logistics teams, as well as the Company's headquarters in Japan, to support product development, commercialization, and customer satisfaction.
Coordinate the full customer support process, from initial product introduction and pre-production through production and delivery, ensuring timely communication and smooth execution.
Travel as needed to visit prospective customers, promote the Company's products, attend trade shows, conduct market research, and establish new business contacts.
Research automotive industry trends, design preferences, emerging technologies, and market needs to identify potential product applications and new business opportunities.
Prepare sales reports, market research summaries, customer correspondence, quotations, contracts, and other related business documents, and follow up with customers as necessary.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills and Qualifications:
1) Bachelor’s degree in business administration or related engineering field and/or equivalent professional experience.
2) Business-level Japanese language proficiency required.
3) Minimum of five years of sales or business development experience in materials technology, automotive interior or exterior development, or related work with/in the automotive OEMs.
4) Demonstrated ability to develop and implement sales and marketing strategies effectively and proactively.
5) Self-motivated and results-oriented, with strong communication, organizational, and relationship-building skills.
6) Ability to communicate with colleagues and business partners in Japan during early morning or evening hours as needed.
7) Ability and willingness to travel and drive as required.
8) Proficiency with basic computer systems and business applications.
