What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Business Development Manager position at Tenneco?
At Tenneco, we don’t follow industry standards; we set them, and we don’t settle for being best-in-class because we hustle to be better than best-in-class. Whether it’s our Core Values – radical candor, simplify, organizational velocity, tenacious execution and win – or our Get Stuff Done (GSD) mindset, we’re determined to become the most trusted partner and best manufacturer and distributor to the transportation industry.
With a product portfolio as expansive as it is innovative, an obsessive commitment to quality and excellence, and a global presence, we’re all about getting stuff done, so we can win.
How do we make it happen? Through the Tenneco Way. Fueled by our Core Values, a winning mindset and a relentless commitment to excellence, the Tenneco Way is how we win. It’s what keeps Team Tenneco bold, driven, and unapologetically focused on pushing past limits and redefining success.
Here, you’ll work alongside a team of relentless problem-solvers who are committed to making a tangible impact. If you’re ready to break boundaries, deliver results, and enjoy the ride along the way, you’ll thrive here.
Want to learn more about who we are? Check out our website to discover the Tenneco Way
ABOUT THE ROLE
The Senior Business Development Manager is a highly strategic, externally focused hunter role responsible for aggressively expanding our footprint with large OEM customers. This role is laser‑focused on identifying, shaping, and closing new business opportunities—driving growth through proactive engagement, competitive positioning, and executive‑level influence. Success in this role requires deep commercial instincts, resilience, and the ability to turn complex customer needs into long‑term revenue wins.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Own and aggressively drive new business growth with large critical OEM programs and customers.
- Identify, pursue, and close net-new revenue opportunities, including new platforms, programs, and applications
- Lead customer‑facing strategy from early engagement through RFQ, negotiation, and award
- Build and execute account growth strategies aligned to OEM roadmaps and long‑term sourcing plans
- Serve as the primary commercial interface with customer leadership, purchasing, engineering, and program teams
- Shape value propositions that clearly differentiate our capabilities versus competitors
- Partner cross‑functionally (engineering, operations, finance, executive leadership) to win and launch new business
- Maintain deep awareness of competitive landscape, pricing pressure, and market trends within the automotive/EV space
- Forecast pipeline, track progress against aggressive growth targets, and drive accountability to outcomes
JOB REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, or related field (MBA preferred)
- 8–12 years of experience in business development, sales, or commercial strategy, ideally within automotive or advanced manufacturing
- Proven track record as a hunter—successfully winning new programs and driving organic revenue growth with large OEMs
- Direct experience working with large OEM customers strongly preferred
- Strong executive presence with the ability to influence senior customer stakeholders
- Deep understanding of OEM sourcing processes, RFQs, and program award cycles
- Highly strategic, competitive, and results‑driven mindset
- Willingness to travel as needed to support customer engagements and program pursuits
We don’t want average. We want exceptional. We want someone who’s hungry to build, unafraid to challenge, and bold enough to lead with empathy, speed, and precision. Sound like you? Let us know.
Equal opportunity employer as to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities