Business Development Manager

Every moment of every day, people all over the world turn to Panasonic to make their lives simpler, more enjoyable, more productive and more secure. Since our founding almost a century ago, we’ve been committed to improving peoples’ lives and making the world a better place–one customer, one business, one innovative leap at a time. Come join our journey!

Business Development Manager

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Meet the Recruiter: Helen Despotopoulos

What You'll Get To Do:

This position is responsible for leading customer negotiations for BDU business with GM and Honda, including price negotiations and compensation claims, in close collaboration with both internal and external stakeholders.

Leveraging extensive experience in the automotive industry, the role also involves operational activities such as analyzing OEM forecast data and production plans, as well as coordinating production adjustments with manufacturing sites.

In addition, during phases of mass production wind-down and business termination, the role is expected to lead projects smoothly toward closure while managing conditions and mitigating risks.

Even under demanding customer requests or frequent plan changes, this position plays a key role in identifying realistic and mutually acceptable solutions by balancing customer expectations and internal constraints, and in steadily driving business execution forward.

Key Responsibilities

• Proactively lead price increase negotiations and compensation claim discussions with GM and Honda, adjusting commercial terms based on business risks and customer trends
• Assess OEM forecast data and planning changes, and define and drive appropriate business actions in coordination with relevant internal functions
• Work closely with manufacturing and operations teams to address production adjustments and supply-demand challenges
• Lead the alignment of terms and conditions during mass production phase-out and business termination processes

What You'll Bring:

Required Skills and Experience

Direct Negotiation Experience with OEMs

• Demonstrated experience, or equivalent capability, in independently leading price negotiations and compensation claim discussions with GM and Honda.
• Proven ability to structure negotiation strategies by clearly defining background, key issues, and target outcomes, and to drive explanations and consensus-building while engaging internal and external stakeholders.

Strong Customer Understanding

• In-depth knowledge of GM’s and Honda’s procurement and contracting decision criteria and approval processes, enabling effective and practical negotiation and coordination in daily business operations.

Strong Trust-Based Relationships with Internal and External Stakeholders

• Established working relationships with internal stakeholders such as PASA Sales, PIDMX, and BU organizations, as well as with GM and Honda procurement teams.
• Ability to determine the appropriate organizational level and timing for engagement depending on the situation and key discussion points, and to advance business through cross-functional coordination and proper escalation.

Forecast Analysis and Operational Execution Capability

• Strong analytical skills to comprehensively assess forecast information, production plans, and industry data provided by OEMs and PASA.
• Hands-on experience coordinating with manufacturing and related departments to execute operational responses, including production adjustments.

Experience in Project and Business Termination Phases

• Experience leading projects through business and mass production termination phases, managing timing and conditions to achieve smooth closure while minimizing risks.

Mandatory Requirements

• Given the complexity of the role and the need for immediate contribution, the following requirements are mandatory:
• Practical working relationships with Honda’s procurement organization, along with hands-on knowledge of Honda’s internal approval processes and contractual practices
• At least two years of recent experience serving as an Account Manager or in an equivalent role, directly leading price and commercial term negotiations with OEMs
• Ability to manage multiple workstreams in parallel—such as customer negotiations, operational coordination, and termination activities—and to independently drive responsibilities shortly after assignment

Benefits & Perks - What's In It For You:

Panasonic prioritizes total well-being and offers comprehensive benefits options to support physical, emotional, financial, social, and environmental health:

• Health Benefits – Offering medical, dental, vision, prescription plans, plus Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account options.
• Voluntary Benefits – Life, accident, critical illness, disability, legal, identity theft, and pet insurance.
• Panasonic Retirement Savings & Investment Plan (PRSIP) – 401(k) plan with company matching contributions and immediate vesting.
• Paid Time-Off Benefits – Vacation, holidays, personal days, sick leave, volunteer, and parental & caregiver leave.
• Educational Assistance – Tuition reimbursement for job-related courses after six months of service.
• Health Management and Wellbeing Programs –Lifestyle Spending Account, EAP, virtual health management, chronic condition, neurodiversity, tobacco cessation, substance abuse support, and life stage and fertility resources. Available to eligible employees starting the first day of the month following your start date. Eligibility for each benefit may vary based on employment status, location, and length of service.
• Employee Recognition Program - High5 employee recognition and awards platform, quarterly and annual employee recognition
• Annual Bonus Program - Opportunity for an annual performance-based bonus.

We Take Opportunity Seriously:

At Panasonic, we are committed to a workplace that genuinely fosters inclusion and belonging. Fairness and Honesty have been part of our core values for more than 100 years and we are proud of our diverse culture as an equal opportunity employer. 

The wage range of $110,000 - $130,000 is just one component of Panasonic’s total package. Actual compensation varies depending on the individual’s knowledge, skills, experience, and location. This role may be eligible for discretionary bonuses and incentives.

​We understand that your career search may look different than others and embrace the professional, personal, educational, and volunteer opportunities through which people gain experience. If you are actively looking or starting to explore new opportunities, send us your application!​

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristic protected by law. All qualified individuals are required to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

Due to the high volume of responses, we will only be able to respond to candidates of interest. All candidates must have valid authorization to work in the U.S.

Thank you for your interest in Panasonic.

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