Business Development Manager – Automotive OEM & Tier Supplier Solutions

About the Role

Klüber Lubrication, a global leader in specialty lubrication and part of the Freudenberg Group, is seeking a Business Development Manager – Automotive OEM & Tier Supplier Solutions. In this remote role, you will drive growth strategies for targeted automotive OEMs and develop strategic relationships throughout the Tier supplier chain.

Responsibilities

• OEM Business Development: Develop and execute growth strategies for targeted automotive OEMs; identify and map decision-making structures within OEM organizations; establish relationships with engineering, manufacturing, quality, purchasing, maintenance, sustainability, and operations leadership; drive lubricant specification and approval programs across vehicle assembly operations; lead efforts to secure inclusion on OEM-approved lubricant lists; identify new platform, vehicle program, battery, powertrain, and assembly opportunities.
• Tier Supplier Penetration: Develop strategic relationships with Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 suppliers; identify suppliers strongly influenced by OEM lubricant requirements; convert approved OEM specifications into supplier production opportunities; leverage OEM approvals to multiply business throughout the automotive supply chain; work closely with customer engineering teams to validate and implement lubrication solutions.
• Stakeholder & Decision-Maker Navigation: Create organizational maps identifying: Manufacturing Engineering, Process Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Maintenance Management, Operations Leadership, Purchasing, Quality Assurance, EH&S, Product Development, Corporate Materials Engineering; develop influence strategies for each stakeholder group; understand customer approval processes, purchasing cycles, and technical qualification requirements.
• Technical Sales Leadership: Position specialty lubricants based on: productivity improvements, reduced downtime, energy efficiency, Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), component life extension, warranty protection, sustainability initiatives; coordinate technical evaluations, product trials, testing, and validation programs; support root-cause investigations and lubrication-related performance improvements.
• Strategic Account Management: Develop and maintain a robust opportunity pipeline; manage long sales cycles common to automotive OEM programs; forecast project development and expected revenue; conduct executive-level business reviews with key accounts; coordinate global opportunities with regional and international teams.
• Market Intelligence: Monitor automotive manufacturing trends including: electric vehicle production, battery manufacturing, powertrain evolution, automation and robotics, lightweight materials, sustainability initiatives; track competitor activities, approvals, and specifications; identify emerging opportunities for growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Technical Sales, Business, Chemistry, Tribology, or related field; MBA preferred.
• 7+ years of automotive business development, technical sales, or account management experience.
• Experience selling into automotive OEMs and Tier suppliers.
• Proven success navigating complex manufacturing organizations.
• Experience with industrial lubricants, specialty chemicals, metalworking fluids, process chemicals, assembly materials, automation solutions, or related technologies.
• Preferred experience in automotive assembly processes, manufacturing engineering, lubrication technology, EV/battery manufacturing, robotics and automation, OEM approval processes, IATF 16949 environment.

Benefits

• 401K Match: Save for retirement with the company's help.
• Health Insurance: Rely on comprehensive services whenever you need it.
• Diversity & Inclusion: We focus on providing an inclusive environment and recognize our diversity contributes to our success.
• Personal Development: We offer a variety of trainings to ensure you can develop in your career.
• Paid Holidays: With paid-time off, local holidays are all the way more relaxing.

Pay & Schedule

This is a remote position based in the United States of America. Requires regular domestic travel and occasional international travel, including overnight stays, approximately 50% of the time.