Reporting to the Sales Manager, Automotive, the Automotive Sales Engineer is responsible for leading and executing commercial activities with automotive OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and distributors across assigned accounts and territories. This role is accountable for driving profitable growth, developing strategic customer relationships, identifying new business opportunities, and supporting the successful launch of automotive programs.
We are 40 000 men and women who meet the challenges faced by our automotive, aviation, defence and industry customers every day. Our passion for challenge and our enthusiasm encourage us to imagine, design and produce high performance and innovative fluid, sealing system and anti-vibration solutions. Working at Hutchinson means being curious about everything, contributing to the evolution of mobility and reducing carbon emissions.
Join us and show what drives you!
A French company with an international presence (25 countries): 170 years of history and passing on our know-how.
5 billion in turnover, with 5% invested in R&D.
The Automotive Sales Engineer works closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Business Development, and Leadership teams to develop customer-focused solutions that align with company objectives. Success in this role requires strong commercial acumen, technical aptitude, and the ability to overcome obstacles and resolve challenges while maintaining positive, long-term customer and internal relationships.
What You'll Do
- Develop and execute sales strategies that drive growth within automotive OEM, Tier, and distributor markets.
- Manage and expand a robust pipeline of RFQs, quotations, and new business opportunities to support sustainable revenue growth.
- Build, maintain, and strengthen relationships with key customer decision-makers and stakeholders.
- Serve as the primary commercial liaison between customers and internal teams, ensuring clear communication and successful project execution.
- Collaborate with Business Development, Engineering, and Operations teams to develop and present technical product solutions that meet customer requirements.
- Analyze costs, market conditions, industry trends, and competitive activity to support profitable pricing strategies and business decisions.
- Lead commercial negotiations, contracts, and pricing discussions while achieving sales, profitability, and strategic objectives.
- Develop sales forecasts, track performance metrics, and report progress against established goals.
- Support annual budgeting, strategic planning, and long-range business development initiatives.
- Proactively identify and address customer concerns, commercial challenges, and business risks while preserving strong working relationships and promoting a collaborative approach to problem-solving.
- Represent the company at customer meetings, industry events, trade shows, and business reviews.
What We're Looking For
- Proven experience in technical B2B sales, account management, or sales engineering within automotive or related industrial markets.
- Strong technical aptitude with the ability to understand engineering specifications, drawings, manufacturing processes, and customer requirements.
- Demonstrated success in developing and growing strategic customer relationships.
- Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to work through complex challenges and obstacles while maintaining productive customer and internal relationships.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, with the ability to translate data into actionable business strategies.
- Self-motivated, results-oriented professional with a high sense of urgency and accountability.
- Experience working in a collaborative, cross-functional environment.
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Marketing, or a related field.
- Experience in sealing products, sealing systems, or related automotive technologies is preferred, but not required.
- Ability to converse in Spanish is helpful, but not required.
- Willingness and ability to travel up to 50%, including domestic and international travel throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Europe.