Industrial Automation Business Development Leader

Schneider Electric•Houston, TX

About The Position

The Business Development Leader for the South region of the United States sells Schneider Electric’s Industrial Automation portfolio, including open control systems, safety systems, and industrial drives, to new customers and segments in industrial facilities. The role is customer-focused and drives identification, qualification, and closure of new portfolio opportunities. The successful candidate develops account strategies, builds relationships with customer decision-makers and influencers, leads discovery and sales engagements, and advances opportunities from identification through proposal, bid, and closure. The role works with sales, engineering, and service teams, interfaces with regional sales and business leads, and engages EPC and end-user leaders and executives. It also tracks pipeline and forecasts, reports key metrics, supports strategic business cases, and works to ensure customer satisfaction and lasting relationships. The role requires flexibility and mobility, with travel up to 60% throughout Texas and occasional travel elsewhere as business needs require. The position requires a bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or a related field; at least five years in industrial automation, business development, or technical sales; and at least five years of engineering, project management, or operations experience in heavy industries. Candidates should have direct experience with a competitor’s industrial automation business and familiarity with Schneider Electric EcoStruxure and related automation solutions. Preferred experience includes leading greenfield and brownfield projects and working in process automation, process engineering, operations, or maintenance in an owner/operator environment. The advertised annual pay range is USD 115,200–172,800, including base pay and short-term incentives. The full-time role’s stated benefits include medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance, flexible work arrangements, paid family leaves, well-being programs, 12 holidays, 15 days of paid time off, company share ownership, and a 401(k) with match, as well as career development and community support programs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or a related field.
At least 5 years of experience in industrial automation, business development, or technical sales.
At least 5 years of engineering, project management, or operations experience within heavy industry segments.
Direct experience with a competitor’s industrial automation business, such as Emerson, Honeywell, Yokogawa, ABB, Siemens, or Rockwell.
Familiarity with Schneider Electric EcoStruxure and related automation solutions.
Deep understanding of industrial automation architectures and the value chain.
Ability to compare and contrast Schneider Electric solutions with competitor solutions.
Experience with project scoping, execution, and risk management.
Ability to thrive in a hunter sales environment and proactively pursue and convert new customers and opportunities where no installed base exists.
Strategic thinking, strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, and sound judgment.
Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
Self-motivated and results-oriented, with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Ability to build rapport and credibility across organizations and with clients, including C-level executives.
Exposure to Strategy and Business Development in the North American market.
Ability to convert strategies into implemented business solutions that drive sales and revenue.
Ability to develop a sustainable opportunity pipeline based on business plans.
Willingness and ability to travel up to 60% throughout Texas, with occasional travel to other locations as business needs require.

Nice To Haves

Experience leading greenfield and brownfield projects.
Knowledge of key South region verticals, including power generation, oil and gas, and petrochemicals.
Experience in an owner/operator environment in process automation, process engineering, operations, or maintenance.

Responsibilities

Identify and target opportunities in key industry segments, including power generation, oil and gas, petrochemicals, specialty chemicals, water treatment, and pulp and paper manufacturing.
Develop and execute account strategies to position Schneider Electric EcoStruxure as the preferred solution.
Build and nurture relationships with customers’ decision-makers and influencers.
Lead discovery sessions to understand customer pain points, drivers, and business objectives.
Prospect for new users and sites with high potential for Schneider Electric adoption.
Explain the technical, operational, and business benefits of Schneider Electric EcoStruxure for Industry.
Lead customer engagements, presentations, and workshops to demonstrate Schneider Electric’s capabilities.
Drive the sales cycle from opportunity identification through proposal, bid, and closure, aligning solutions with customer requirements.
Collaborate with sales, engineering, and service teams to support successful project delivery.
Work with regional sales and business leads to implement and develop account-specific strategies.
Engage EPC and end-user leaders and executives to develop relationships, understand their businesses, and formulate value-creating business solutions.
Track pipeline, forecast sales, and report key metrics to management.
Ensure customer satisfaction and develop long-term customer relationships.
Support business cases for strategic initiatives and drive implementation of selected strategies.

Benefits

Medical insurance, with member reward points.
Dental insurance.
Vision insurance.
Basic life insurance.
Benefit Bucks.
Flexible work arrangements.
Paid family leaves.
Well-being programs.
12 holidays per year.
15 days of paid time off per year.
Competitive pay and incentives.
Company share ownership.
401(k) with match.
Performance discussions, global opportunities, the Schneider Career Hub, and learning platforms such as Coursera.
Volunteer leave, Schneider Electric Foundation programs, youth education initiatives, and military leave benefits.