Sr Manager, Business Development - Automotive

Overview

Consider joining the Pennex family as a Sr. Manager, Business Development - Automotive in our Leetonia, OH location.  The Senior Business Development Manager (Sr. BDM) is responsible for driving Pennex’s strategic initiative to expand value-added sales in the automotive and select commercial markets. This role emphasizes growth in key sectors, including major OEMs in specific automotive segments. 

Responsibilities

Market Focus  

• Allocate approximately 75% of efforts to expanding automotive value-added markets, and 25% to commercial value-added markets in alignment with the automotive sales strategy. 

Sales Development and Customer Engagement  

• Collaborate with the Vice President of Sales to implement a sales plan that meets growth targets and establishes new value-added business opportunities across the United States.  
• Actively engage new customers, develop a customer engagement plan, showcase Pennex’s capabilities, and manage the quoting process with timely follow-ups to meet customer needs.  
• Attract and onboard new extrusion and value-added customers aligned with Pennex’s Long Range Plan (LRP) and strategic initiatives. 

Account Management  

• Oversee all customer activities from request for quote through purchase order management, customer setup, die trials, and production start-up. Ensure proper execution of internal APQP processes, material qualifications, and engineering validation.  
• Serve as a liaison between customers and internal Pennex teams, fostering strong working relationships across departments.

Collaboration and Reporting  

• Participate in Manufacturing Leadership Team meetings, reporting on business development activities and quote performance.  
• Work with the Marketing Group to create supporting collateral and lead promotional initiatives, including trade shows, product positioning, sales evaluations, and market research.

Support for Precision Engineered Products (PEP) 

• Support Precision Engineered Products (PEP) in becoming an automotive-class supplier for extruded aluminum components. Collaborate on process improvements aimed at certifications.  
• Partner with YPEP and LPEP teams on specifications for new equipment and Capital Acquisition Requests. 

Leadership

• Manages at least one team member.

Other duties and responsibilities as requested/required.  

Qualifications

Education and Experience: 

• Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering or equivalent experience
• 8 years of related experience in metal sales (aluminum extrusion preferred) 
• Strong background and knowledge of aluminum extrusion fabrication processes, equipment and customers 

Required Skills/Abilities: 

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including presentations  
• Strategic planning and tactical execution skills   
• Potential for growth into senior-level responsibilities  
• Proven ability to build and maintain strong working relationships with distributors, customers, and internal support teams  
• Demonstrated success in regional sales  
• High energy, competitive, and able to work independently  
• Proficiency in computer operations  
• Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills  
• Technical aptitude, including blueprint reading and knowledge of GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing)  
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, and government regulations  
• Skilled in report writing, business correspondence, and creating procedure manuals  
• Ability to respond effectively to questions from managers, clients, customers, and the public  
• Ability to calculate discounts, interest, commissions, and various measurements such as area, circumference, and volume  
• Reasoning skills for solving practical problems and interpreting written, oral, diagram, or schedule-based instructions  
• Valid driver’s license  
• Ability to travel 50 to 75%  

Physical Demands  

• Regularly required to talk, hear, sit, and use hands for handling tasks  
• Occasionally required to stand and walk  
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds  
• Visual acuity including close vision, distance vision, color vision, and focus adjustment  

Work Environment  

• Exposure to moderate noise levels  
• Occasionally exposed to wet/humid conditions, mechanical parts, airborne particles, chemicals, and outdoor weather 
• Must be able to pass pre-employment physical, MVR and drug screen