Business Development Manager – Automotive OEM & Tier Supplier Solutions

Freudenberg Group

13d • Hybrid

About The Position

This role focuses on developing and executing growth strategies within the automotive industry, specifically targeting Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and their suppliers. The Business Development Manager will be responsible for identifying opportunities, building relationships with key stakeholders, and driving the adoption of specialty lubricants and related solutions. This involves navigating complex organizational structures, understanding technical requirements, and managing long sales cycles to achieve business objectives and contribute to the company's growth in areas like electric vehicle production and sustainability initiatives.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Technical Sales, Business, Chemistry, Tribology, or related field.
• 7+ years of automotive business development, technical sales, or account management experience.
• Experience selling into automotive OEMs and Tier suppliers.
• Proven success navigating complex manufacturing organizations.
• Experience with industrial lubricants, specialty chemicals, metalworking fluids, process chemicals, assembly materials, automation solutions, or related technologies.

Nice To Haves

• MBA preferred.
• Preferred experience in automotive assembly processes, manufacturing engineering, lubrication technology, EV/battery manufacturing, robotics and automation, OEM approval processes, IATF 16949 environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute growth strategies for targeted automotive OEMs.
• Identify and map decision-making structures within OEM organizations.
• Establish relationships with engineering, manufacturing, quality, purchasing, maintenance, sustainability, and operations leadership.
• Drive lubricant specification and approval programs across vehicle assembly operations.
• Lead efforts to secure inclusion on OEM-approved lubricant lists.
• Identify new platform, vehicle program, battery, powertrain, and assembly opportunities.
• Develop strategic relationships with Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 suppliers.
• Identify suppliers strongly influenced by OEM lubricant requirements.
• Convert approved OEM specifications into supplier production opportunities.
• Leverage OEM approvals to multiply business throughout the automotive supply chain.
• Work closely with customer engineering teams to validate and implement lubrication solutions.
• Create organizational maps identifying key departments and leadership.
• Develop influence strategies for each stakeholder group.
• Understand customer approval processes, purchasing cycles, and technical qualification requirements.
• Position specialty lubricants based on productivity improvements, reduced downtime, energy efficiency, Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), component life extension, warranty protection, and sustainability initiatives.
• Coordinate technical evaluations, product trials, testing, and validation programs.
• Support root-cause investigations and lubrication-related performance improvements.
• Develop and maintain a robust opportunity pipeline.
• Manage long sales cycles common to automotive OEM programs.
• Forecast project development and expected revenue.
• Conduct executive-level business reviews with key accounts.
• Coordinate global opportunities with regional and international teams.
• Monitor automotive manufacturing trends including electric vehicle production, battery manufacturing, powertrain evolution, automation and robotics, lightweight materials, and sustainability initiatives.
• Track competitor activities, approvals, and specifications.
• Identify emerging opportunities for growth.

Benefits

• The Freudenberg Group is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion. Employment opportunities are available to all applicants and associates without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, genetic information, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior