Product Strategy Lead

Denso • Southfield, MI

1d

About The Position

The Product Strategy Lead develops and executes integrated product strategies that connect DENSO’s technology portfolio with North American customer and market priorities. The role is the principal liaison to the North American Product Sales Strategy team and coordinates regional and global commercialization efforts across Electrification, Thermal, Electronics, Safety, Powertrain, Mechatronics, and Software. As a senior individual contributor, this position guides cross-functional strategy, identifies growth opportunities, and enables data-driven decisions to strengthen DENSO’s position in advanced mobility markets.

The role translates global technology and system-solution roadmaps into regional commercialization plans, analyzes market, customer, and competitor information, and leads strategy alignment 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 and market positioning, and represents DENSO in customer engagements and industry events. The position also develops tools and metrics for tracking competitiveness and strategic outcomes, supports competitor benchmarking, and mentors peers in market analysis and strategy practices.

The role works with DENSO business units and route sales teams across North America, Europe, and Japan, and coordinates commercial and technical activities with Green and PoM Business Units. Travel to automotive events in the United States and to Europe and Japan for conferences, exhibitions, project support, and headquarters visits is part of the described work. Regular reporting to senior staff in North America and Japan is expected.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Engineering, or a related analytical or technical field.
• Related experience in product strategy, business development, sales, or engineering in OEM or Tier 1 automotive environments. The posting gives differing experience thresholds: 10+ years with progressive growth in the requirements section and 5–10 years in the qualifications section.
• Strong strategic thinking and business acumen, with 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 with 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.
• Strategic planning capability, including creating new 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.
• Mentoring mindset and a history of building successful organizations and individuals.
• Technical expertise in the automotive market and experience with technology ecosystems.
• Knowledge of the North American automotive industry.
• Strong customer-relations and lead-generation experience for strategy projects.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree, MBA, or M.S. in Engineering Management or Technology Strategy.
• 12+ years of related experience.
• Direct experience managing multi-domain product portfolios spanning Electrification, Thermal, Electronics, Powertrain, Mechatronics, and Software.
• Experience advising executive leadership on market and partnership strategies.

Responsibilities

• Formulate and drive product-strategy frameworks that convert global technology and system-solution roadmaps into actionable regional commercialization plans.
• Generate and coordinate product strategies for North American customers and serve as the primary contact for the Product Sales Strategy team.
• Conduct market intelligence, customer, competitor, and automotive supplier analyses to identify business opportunities, emerging trends, and DENSO’s competitive 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 incorporate regional intelligence into global product-portfolio planning.
• Provide leadership with strategic recommendations 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.
• Support continuous improvement by mentoring peers on market-analysis methods and strategy-development practices.
• Establish DENSO’s leadership in high-tech automotive components, subsystems, and systems development.
• Collaborate with DENSO teams in North America and Japan to achieve strategic market goals.
• Engage with DENSO Business Units and Route Sales teams across North America, Europe, and Japan, and 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 and 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 Electrification, Thermal, Electronics, Safety, and Software.

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, AD&D, 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.

What This Job Offers

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