Do you want to contribute to our sales transformation by accelerating our organic growth? Are you a business development-focused leader passionate about driving segment growth, identifying new market opportunities, and delivering value to customers? Seco Tools is seeking a remote Automotive Segment Lead for the Americas, ideally based near key automotive regions such as Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, or Tennessee. In this role, you will support the growth and development of our strategic automotive segment, collaborating across teams and delivering impactful solutions.

Welcome to Seco!

We are a global, innovative company with a strong sense of community. At Seco, we believe in supporting each other’s growth, championing diverse perspectives, and creating opportunities for professional development. If you’re looking for a workplace that values innovation, collaboration, and inclusivity, we’d love to meet you!

For over 80 years, we have been more than just a cutting tool provider. Our tools help shape the world around us—from the phone case in your hand to the cars, planes, and trains you travel in. We take pride in our impact and invite you to be part of our story.

About Your Role

As the Automotive Segment Manager – Lead, for Americas you will play a key role in driving product, service, and solution development within the Automotive segment. Reporting to the Regional Business Development Manager, you will:

Lead growth and market share in your strategic segment by aligning product, service, and solution development to customer needs.

Identify market trends, customer and segment needs (products, services, and solutions), and competitive intelligence to influence product and service development.

Act as a key liaison between the segment and internal stakeholders in Product Offerings & Innovations (POI), Business Development (BD), and Partnerships.

Support key segment projects and innovations, such as taking indexable broaching to market—including customer/partner mapping, knowledge sharing, and customer/partner support.

Develop and support strategic customer plans across the region.

Forecast, track, and report on segment performance, sharing expertise and insight across teams.

Your Key Focus Areas

Segment Development: Increase automotive segment market share and revenue, identifying opportunities and developing solutions aligned with market needs.

Customer & Partner Engagement: Build and sustain strong relationships with high-level customers, decision makers, and external partners to unlock business growth opportunities.

Business Growth: Apply proven business development skills to support organic growth in existing key accounts while creating new opportunities with prospective customers.

Innovation Deployment: Promote and support segment-specific products, services, and innovations in alignment with customer and market demands.

Collaboration & Enablement: Facilitate knowledge sharing, coaching, and training within sales and support teams. Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Sales, Product Lines, Marketing, Application Engineering, and Customer Service.

Market Insight: Lead market research, gather competitive intelligence, and contribute to R&D and business intelligence efforts.

Leadership Responsibilities

Represent the segment in product and innovation discussions with R&D and other key stakeholders.

Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure alignment of initiatives with strategic priorities.

Support and lead key product launches and strategic projects.

Enable training sessions and develop relevant marketing and sales collateral.

You Bring the Following Skills, Personal Traits, and Interests:

A bachelor’s or master’s degree in production or mechanical engineering, business development, or a related field. An MBA is preferred.

5+ years of experience in a technical role with demonstrated success in automotive segment-based business development and strategic sales growth.

Proven ability to build relationships with customers and clients at a high level, especially with key decision makers and senior stakeholders.

Demonstrated success in business development that directly impacted business growth, including both expanding key accounts and breaking into new customers.

Extensive experience in the automotive manufacturing industry, with deep knowledge of high-volume machining applications, powertrain, chassis, and e-mobility components, as well as materials such as cast iron, aluminum alloys, and high-strength steels.

Proven track record of driving sales growth and capturing market share within the automotive segment, including the ability to develop strategic partnerships with OEMs, Tier 1 & 2 suppliers, and contract manufacturers.

Experience influencing, connecting and guiding R&D and product development through customer and market insights specific to automotive.

Working knowledge of automotive procurement cycles, supply chain dynamics, and the competitive landscape.

Experience using market insights to support R&D and product development efforts, ensuring alignment with automotive customer needs and trends such as electrification and lightweighting.

Strong understanding of automotive manufacturing systems and standards, including lean manufacturing, IATF 16949, and APQP/PPAP processes.

Strong communication and relationship-building skills across cross-functional and global teams.

Proficiency in Office 365, ERP, CRM, and CAD/CAM systems.

Fluent in English (B2 level minimum); additional language skills are a plus.

Self-starter with the ability to adapt to shifting priorities and proactively solve challenges.

Our Seco Culture

Seco employees across the globe share our family spirit, a passion for our customers, and a personal commitment to excellence in everything we do. We recognize that our diverse backgrounds and perspectives are vital to achieving great results. Visit our website, LinkedIn, or Facebook to learn more about our people and our products.

Compensation and Benefits

We offer a competitive base salary, a performance-based incentive program, and a comprehensive benefits package, including:

Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance

Paid vacation and holidays

Strong 401(k) retirement savings plan

Wellness incentives and paid volunteer days

How to Apply

We’d love to hear from you! Click apply and include your resume and cover letter in English. Please note that we do not accept applications via email.

For more information about this role, please contact hr.us@secotools.com 

About Seco Tools

At Seco Tools, we develop and offer advanced products and solutions that make metal cutting easier. Our corporate culture empowers employees through shared values: Passion for our Customers, Family Spirit, and Personal Commitment. Seco Tools has a presence in more than 75 countries and employs about 4,000 people.

Seco Tools, a subsidiary of Sandvik, is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Notice to Third Party Agencies
Please note that Seco Tools does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed Recruitment Fee Agreement, Seco Tools will not consider or agree to payment of any referral compensation or recruiter fee.