Product Strategy Lead
About The Position
Lead the development and execution of integrated product strategies connecting DENSO’s technology portfolio with North American customer and market priorities. Serve as the principal liaison to the North American Product Sales Strategy team and align regional and global commercialization efforts across Electrification, Thermal, Electronics, Safety, Powertrain, Mechatronics, and Software. This senior individual contributor guides cross-functional strategy formulation, identifies high-impact growth opportunities, and enables data-driven decision-making to expand DENSO’s competitive position in advanced mobility markets. The role translates global technology and system-solution roadmaps into actionable regional commercialization plans; conducts market, customer, competitor, and supplier analyses; and coordinates strategic work with Sales, Engineering, R&D, Corporate Planning, Quality Assurance, and Production. It partners with teams in Japan headquarters and the U.S. Innovation Center, advises leadership on portfolio investments, positioning, and partnerships, and represents DENSO in customer engagements and industry events. The position also establishes tools and metrics for tracking competitiveness, product performance, competitor capabilities, and strategy outcomes, and supports continuous improvement by mentoring peers. Additional responsibilities described include coordinating with DENSO business units and route sales teams across North America, Europe, and Japan; supporting commercial and technical activities with Green and PoM business units; identifying product opportunities for North American OEMs; reporting plans and activities to senior staff; and traveling to Europe and Japan for conferences, exhibitions, project support, and headquarters visits.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Engineering, or a related analytical or technical field; a bachelor’s degree is also stated as required in the qualifications section.
- At least 10 years of related experience with progressive growth in product strategy, business development, or sales within OEM or Tier 1 automotive environments; another section lists 5–10 years of experience in OEM or Tier 1 sales, strategy, or engineering.
- Strong strategic-thinking and business-acumen skills, including the ability to connect technology trends to commercial outcomes.
- Advanced analytical capability in market assessment, pricing, and value-based business modeling.
- Exceptional written and oral communication, presentation, and influencing skills, including the ability to communicate complex material and engage executive-level stakeholders.
- Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives in a matrix organization without direct authority.
- Deep understanding of the automotive ecosystem, including electrification, connected vehicles, powertrain, mechatronics, and software-defined-vehicle trends.
- High proficiency in Microsoft Office, AI tools, and visualization software for strategy reporting and forecasting.
- Ability to navigate ambiguity, set priorities, and drive progress on complex strategic programs.
- Demonstrated strategic-planning capability, including creating initiatives from “0” to “1” with divisional stakeholders and executives to maximize value.
- Proven track record of bringing strategic initiatives to market and understanding market needs and company opportunities.
- Entrepreneurial mindset, tenacity, and ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
- Technical expertise in the automotive market, including experience with technology ecosystems, and knowledge of the North American automotive industry.
- Strong customer-relations and lead-generation experience for strategy projects.
- Mentoring mindset and a history of building successful organizations and individuals.
Nice To Haves
- Master’s degree, MBA, or M.S. in Engineering Management or Technology Strategy; another section expresses preference for a master’s degree in business or technology.
- At least 12 years of related experience with direct experience managing multi-domain product portfolios across Electrification, Thermal, Electronics, Powertrain, Mechatronics, and Software, and advising executive leadership on market and partnership strategies.
Responsibilities
- Formulate and drive product-strategy frameworks that turn global technology and system-solution roadmaps into regional commercialization plans.
- Conduct market intelligence, customer, competitor, and automotive supplier analyses to identify business opportunities, technology trends, and DENSO’s market positioning.
- Lead cross-functional strategy workshops with Sales, Engineering, R&D, Corporate Planning, Quality Assurance, and Production to align business direction, resource priorities, global footprint, and delivery allocation.
- Partner with global teams in Japan headquarters and the U.S. Innovation Center to integrate regional intelligence into global product-portfolio planning.
- Provide strategic recommendations to leadership on portfolio investments, product positioning, and partnership development.
- Represent DENSO in strategic customer engagements, trade shows, and industry events to strengthen customer relationships and brand positioning.
- Establish standardized tools and metrics to track market competitiveness, product performance, North American competitor capabilities, and strategic outcomes.
- Mentor peers on market-analysis methods and strategy-development practices.
- Generate and coordinate product strategies for North American customers and serve as the primary point of contact for the Product Sales Strategy team.
- Collaborate with DENSO teams in North America and Japan to achieve strategic market goals, and engage with business units and route sales teams across North America, Europe, and Japan.
- Coordinate commercial and technical activities with Green and PoM business units and route sales teams.
- Attend automotive trade shows and events in the United States to build customer relationships.
- Travel to Europe and Japan for internal conferences, exhibitions, project support, and headquarters visits.
- Regularly report plans and activities to senior staff in North America and Japan.
- Identify and prioritize DENSO product opportunities for North American OEMs.
- Lead strategy and commercialization efforts in areas including Electrification, Thermal, Electronics, Safety, Powertrain, Mechatronics, and Software.
- Establish DENSO’s leadership in high-tech automotive components, subsystems, and systems development.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans
- 401(k) with 4% company match
- Vacation/PTO and 13 paid holidays
- Bonus program
- FSA/HSA and dependent care programs
- Company-provided life, disability, ADD, and business travel insurance
- No-cost wellness and chronic-condition management programs
- Optional insurance programs, including legal, identity theft, and critical illness coverage
- Tuition reimbursement
- Career development and ongoing training
- Employee assistance program
- Employee spotlight and recognition program
- Volunteer opportunities
- Onsite fitness center, varying by location
- Cafeteria and food markets, varying by location
- Onsite health clinic and pharmacy, varying by location
- Relocation assistance for candidates residing 50 or more miles from the work location
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
