Solutions Account Executive

About the role

Bastian Automation is seeking a Solution Account Executive to own customer relationships and opportunity development for domestic automotive OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers. This role drives pipeline growth within defined automotive standards and risk frameworks.

Job Functions

• Develop and manage relationships with domestic automotive customers.
• Become a trusted advocate for the customer's needs.
• Identify customer pain points and evaluate appropriate ROI to develop real solutions, ideally repeatable solutions.
• Lead RFI and RFQ opportunities (including estimating) in partnership with applicable internal groups, external vendors, etc.
• Own customer communication, timelines, and expectations.
• Cook up internal resources to deliver compliant proposals.
• Cook up external vendors/subcontractors as required to bid complete RFQ’s with few to no deviations.
• Defend scope, assumptions, and standards during negotiations.
• Maintain accurate pipeline forecasting and reporting.
• Ensure smooth transition from Sales to Execution post-award, co-leading project kick-off (with PM) with execution groups.

Key Objectives

• Build long-term customer trust, ensuring repeat business potential.
• Act as the main advocate for customer success.
• Prevent surprises by aligning expectations early across the broader organization.
• Ensure sales efforts are aligned with execution reality.
• Strengthen the feedback loops between customer and Bastian Automation by soliciting honest feedback in a true pursuit to make the organization better.

Required Qualifications And Preferred Skills

• Bachelor of Science in related field
• 2+ years industry experience within Automotive / Manufacturing
• Prior experience in automotive project requirements, standards, and risk mitigation
• Familiarity with the execution process of multi-disciplined automotive projects
• Experience navigating pricing negotiations with customer buyer teams
• Must be eligible to work in the USA long term without sponsorship

About Bastian Automation

Bastian is a trusted material handling automation integrator supporting distribution and manufacturing operations across the automotive, aerospace, tire and wheel, and other related industries – helping them work smarter, scale faster, and deliver with confidence. In addition to exciting work at a growing company, we offer the following benefits:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with a company match
• Vacation / Holiday Pay
• Paid Volunteer time off
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Professional Associations, Conferences and Subscriptions
• Company Meetings & Events

Employees must follow all information security policies, protect confidential data, complete required training, and report any suspected security incidents to support our information security controls.