Business Development Manager

Business Development Manager 

Location: Bicester, Oxfordshire (Global travel ) 

Reporting to: Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) 

YASA is a world leader in axial flux electric motor technology, delivering exceptional power density, efficiency, and compact packaging for high-performance hybrid and electric vehicles. Our technology enables OEMs to rethink propulsion architecture and unlock differentiated vehicle performance. 

We are seeking a Business Development Manager with a strong emphasis on deep customer research, opportunity origination, and strategic new business acquisition across the global powertrain sector. 

This role is centred on intelligence led business development. You will systematically research, prioritise, and penetrate target OEMs and advanced mobility companies, building new relationships based on technical insight and engineering credibility. 

You will convert research into actionable pipeline opportunities and position YASA as a strategic propulsion partner early in program development cycles. 

Key Responsibilities 

YASA’s competitive advantage lies not just in superior motor technology, but in identifying the right customer programs early enough to shape architecture decisions. This role is critical in ensuring our technology becomes embedded at the earliest possible stage of next-generation EV platforms. 

Led Acquisition 

• Initiate new OEM relationships through highly tailored, insight driven outreach 

• Engage engineering and advanced development teams before formal RFQ stages 

• Challenge incumbent Tier 1 suppliers and in house motor programs with data led positioning 

• Lead exploratory technical commercial meetings 

• Convert early engagement into formal RFI/RFQ’s 

• Targeting customers precisely  

Engineering Led Solution Selling 

• Articulate the technical and commercial benefits of YASA products at application level 

• Quantify performance advantages (mass, packaging, efficiency, thermal capability) 

• Collaborate with engineering teams to shape feasibility discussions 

• Develop compelling, architecture level value propositions 

• Position YASA as a strategic propulsion partner rather than a component supplier 

Strategic Customer & Market Research  

• Conduct deep analysis of OEM electrification strategies, platform architectures, and powertrain roadmaps 

• Identify programs where YASA’s technology provides measurable performance or packaging advantage 

• Develop detailed account intelligence  

• Monitor evolving motor technologies and propulsion strategies 

• Identify displacement opportunities within incumbent supplier relationships 

• Provide structured market feedback to the CCO and engineering leadership 

• Contribute to long-term commercial strategy and target selection 

• Translate research into clear account entry strategies 

Experience & Skills 

Essential 

• 8+ years in powertrain business development, strategy, or technical sales 

• Demonstrated success in cold OEM acquisition 

• Experience selling complex engineered systems into long-cycle programs 

• Strong technical literacy in electrified propulsion systems 

• Proven ability to influence senior engineering stakeholders 

• Entrepreneurial mindset with structured research capability 

Desirable 

• Strong engineering degree (Mechanical or Electronic/Electrical) 

• Experience in EV motors, inverters, e-axles, or high performance powertrains 

• International OEM network 

Key Competencies 

• Strategic customer research and mapping 

• Technical to commercial translation 

• Executive communication 

• Commercial negotiation