Technical Sales Manager NA

SLW Warren LLC • Warren, MI

6d

About The Position

SLPT is seeking an experienced Technical Sales Manager to serve as the primary link between the Director of Sales & Product Development and the North American sales organization. This strategic leadership role combines engineering expertise, customer relationship management, business development, and sales leadership. The successful candidate will lead key customer accounts, mentor sales professionals, support growth initiatives, and collaborate with engineering and product development teams to deliver customer-focused solutions.

The role focuses on driving regional sales growth and profitability, strengthening relationships with major OEM and Tier 1 customers, expanding SLPT's position in powertrain, hybrid, and electrification markets, securing new business awards, and supporting commercialization of advanced automotive technologies. It also involves influencing product development through customer insights and market intelligence.

The position operates across customer locations, offices, manufacturing facilities, and industry events, with frequent travel throughout North America and flexible scheduling to support customer and business requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• At least 10 years of experience in automotive engineering, product design and development, technical sales, business development, or account management.
• Proven experience supporting automotive powertrain, driveline, transmission, engine, hybrid, or electrified propulsion systems.
• Demonstrated success managing OEM and Tier 1 customer relationships.
• Experience leading commercial negotiations and customer business planning.
• Strong presentation, communication, and customer engagement skills.
• Ability to travel extensively throughout North America.

Nice To Haves

• MBA or advanced engineering degree.
• Experience working with major automotive OEMs, including Ford, General Motors, Stellantis, Toyota, or Honda.
• Previous leadership or supervisory experience within technical sales organizations.
• Knowledge of electrification technologies, eDrive systems, hybrid vehicle technologies, or emerging propulsion systems.
• Experience with hydraulic pumps, gerotor pumps, transmission pumps, oil pumps, lubrication systems, or fluid power systems.
• Experience supporting product development, commercialization, or application engineering in automotive, commercial vehicle, industrial, or off-highway markets.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily leadership, coaching, and support to the North American sales team.
• Execute strategic sales initiatives and growth plans; establish priorities, monitor opportunity pipelines, and track performance against objectives.
• Mentor sales team members in technical sales, customer engagement, negotiation, and account management, while fostering accountability, collaboration, and customer focus.
• Serve as the lead commercial contact for key OEM and Tier 1 customer accounts.
• Build relationships with customer engineering, purchasing, supplier quality, and program management teams; conduct customer visits, executive reviews, and strategic planning discussions.
• Maintain proactive customer communication and satisfaction, and identify opportunities for platform expansion, new applications, and long-term growth.
• Identify and pursue business opportunities in automotive powertrain, driveline, transmission, hybrid vehicle, electrification, and electric drive systems.
• Develop and maintain the business opportunity pipeline; research customer technology roadmaps and sourcing strategies.
• Support annual sales planning, forecasting, and growth objectives, and drive profitable revenue growth across existing and prospective accounts.
• Lead pricing discussions, contract negotiations, and commercial reviews.
• Develop business plans supporting revenue growth and margin objectives; evaluate commercial opportunities and risks.
• Partner with finance and operations to ensure profitable customer agreements, and manage customer business plans and forecasting activities.
• Use engineering expertise to support customer design reviews and technical discussions.
• Collaborate with Product Development and Engineering to assess customer opportunities; participate in quotation development, feasibility reviews, and value engineering.
• Translate customer technical requirements into internal development initiatives and provide technical leadership during product launches and commercial implementation.
• Monitor market trends, customer initiatives, and competitive activity; identify emerging technologies and product opportunities.
• Gather and communicate customer feedback and support strategic planning with market analysis and customer insights.
• Serve as the commercial liaison between customers and internal stakeholders, coordinating Sales, Engineering, Product Development, Operations, Quality, and Program Management.
• Support program launches and customer implementation, align customer expectations with internal capabilities and deliverables, and drive communication and project alignment.
• Travel throughout North America and participate in customer meetings, executive reviews, plant tours, manufacturing assessments, trade shows, and industry conferences.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Retirement savings programs.
• Paid holidays and paid time off.
• Leadership development opportunities.
• Professional training and continuing education.
• Employee assistance programs.
• Exposure to global customers and emerging automotive technologies.
• Career advancement opportunities within a growing global organization.
• Competitive executive-level compensation based on experience, industry expertise, leadership capabilities, and sales performance; incentive opportunities will be discussed during the interview process.

What This Job Offers

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