Strategic Account Manager

Alfa Laval•Houston, TX

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Strategic Account Manager is responsible for profitably growing customer and market share within assigned strategic accounts across both capital and service businesses, aligned with Sales Company and Energy Division strategies. This role serves as the primary strategic interface between Alfa Laval and key customers, leading long‑term partnerships, coordinating cross‑functional account teams, and translating customer priorities into executable growth plans. Reporting to the Head of the Energy Division in the US, the Strategic Account Manager is an integral part of a collaborative team. This is a hybrid position based in Houston, TX.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Business (preferred)
Minimum 5 years of experience in direct sales, business development, product management, or key/strategic account management
Experience in capital and/or service OEM sales
Proven ability to manage and grow strategic or key customer accounts
Strong commercial acumen with the ability to lead cross‑functional teams without direct authority
Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder‑management skills
Ability to travel 50% within the U.S.

Nice To Haves

Industry experience in oil & gas, petrochemicals, chemicals, power, or refining (preferred)

Responsibilities

Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders at assigned Strategic Accounts
Act as the single point of contact across Alfa Laval’s product and service portfolio
Create conditions for executive‑level alignment between customer leadership teams and Alfa Laval leadership
Maintain detailed customer mapping, including locations, decision‑makers, strategies, technologies, competitors, and market share
Define the strategic direction and key tactical initiatives for each assigned account, aligned with divisional and sales company strategies
Develop and maintain a master sales plan per Strategic Account, including targets, metrics, and growth initiatives across capital and service
Lead execution of account plans in collaboration with Business Directors, Capital Sales, Service Sales, Marketing, and Technical teams
Provide data and insights to support business cases for additional resources and investments
Form, coordinate, and support Strategic Account Teams across the organization
Lead and coordinate business review meetings with customers and internal stakeholders
Ensure clear communication and alignment across Sales, Service, Marketing, Technical Services, and Central teams
Proactively assess customer needs, priorities, and expectations to position Alfa Laval solutions effectively
Promote new technologies, upgrades, replacements, digital services, and service agreements early in the customer journey
Support smooth handover from capital sales to service sales to secure long‑term service business
Lead or support contract negotiation and execution, including supply and service agreements
Support resolution of escalated customer issues, including late payments, missing purchase orders, or conflict situations
Support marketing activities and follow up on assigned leads and opportunities
Maintain updated competitor and market/asset share analysis
Conduct regular business reviews with Alfa Laval management on Strategic Account performance