Key Account Director, Automotive

Location: Michigan 

Immediate Supervisor:  VP, Sales, Americas 

About the Role: 

We are seeking an accomplished and highly strategic Key Account Director, Automotive to join our high-performing sales team. In this pivotal role, you will be responsible for driving the adoption and expansion of Markforged's additive manufacturing solutions, including our groundbreaking Metal Binder Jetting and advanced Composite 3D printing systems, within a portfolio of strategic automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a proven enterprise sales leader who possesses deep industry expertise in automotive manufacturing and a passion for disruptive technology. You will be instrumental in helping our automotive clients transform their production processes, from rapid prototyping and tooling to distributed manufacturing and end-use parts.

What You Will Do:

• Develop and Execute Strategic Account Plans: Create and implement comprehensive account plans for named strategic automotive accounts, identifying key stakeholders, understanding business objectives, and mapping Markforged solutions to critical pain points and strategic initiatives.
• Drive Revenue Growth: Achieve and exceed aggressive revenue targets by identifying, qualifying, and closing complex, high-value deals for Markforged's hardware, software, and materials within the automotive sector.
• Cultivate Executive Relationships: Build and nurture deep, long-lasting relationships with key decision-makers and influencers across engineering, manufacturing, R&D, supply chain, procurement, and C-suite levels within target automotive organizations.
• Consultative Selling: Act as a trusted advisor to clients, leveraging your understanding of the automotive industry and Markforged's technology to articulate compelling value propositions that address their manufacturing challenges (e.g., cost reduction, lead time compression, design freedom, supply chain resilience).
• Solution Orchestration: Collaborate closely with Markforged's Applications Engineering, Pre-Sales, and Customer Success teams to conduct in-depth discovery, technical evaluations, demonstrations, and ROI analyses, ensuring a seamless and successful customer journey.
• Market Insight: Provide valuable market intelligence and customer feedback to internal product management, engineering, and marketing teams to inform future product development and go-to-market strategies for the automotive industry.
• Industry Representation: Represent Markforged at key automotive industry events, conferences, and trade shows, expanding our network and thought leadership.
• Negotiation & Deal Management: Lead complex contract negotiations, ensuring mutually beneficial agreements and efficient deal closure.

What We Look For:

• Experience:
• Minimum of 10+ years of proven, quota-carrying enterprise sales or key account management experience.
• 8+ years of direct sales experience within the Automotive OEM or Tier 1 supplier ecosystem, selling capital equipment, advanced manufacturing solutions, or complex software/hardware.
• Demonstrated experience navigating complex sales cycles and closing multi-million dollar deals.
• Experience with Additive Manufacturing / 3D Printing technologies (especially Metal Binder Jetting, Powder Bed Fusion, or advanced Composites) is highly preferred.
• Proven track record of consistent quota attainment and overachievement.
• Understanding of P&L and ability to discuss financial impact with customers.
• Skills:
• Deep understanding of automotive manufacturing processes, production lines, supply chain dynamics, and product development lifecycles.
• Exceptional consultative selling, strategic account planning, and solution-oriented approach.
• Strong executive-level communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• High technical aptitude with the ability to quickly grasp and articulate complex technological concepts.
• Proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships across diverse functional groups within large organizations.
• Self-motivated, results-driven, and adept at managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with CRM software (Salesforce highly preferred) and sales forecasting methodologies.
• Education:
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or a related technical field. An MBA is a plus.

Why Join Markforged?

• Innovate & Transform: Be at the forefront of the additive manufacturing revolution, helping reshape the automotive industry.
• Impact: Directly contribute to the success of leading automotive companies by solving their most pressing manufacturing challenges.
• Growth: Join a rapidly growing company with significant market opportunity and professional development pathways.
• Culture: Work with a passionate, collaborative, and intelligent team committed to pushing the boundaries of technology.

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