Client Director (16)

Account Executive, Manufacturing

DataDirect Networks is a global leader in AI and high-performance data storage solutions, powering many of the world's most data-intensive environments. We are seeking a results-driven Account Executive, Manufacturing to drive growth within our Manufacturing vertical, including automotive, industrial, aerospace, and smart factory organizations.

This role is responsible for developing and expanding strategic customer relationships, identifying new business opportunities, and delivering DDN's high-performance storage and AI data platform solutions to manufacturing customers navigating digital transformation, Industry 4.0, and advanced analytics initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and drive revenue growth within assigned Manufacturing accounts and territory
• Develop and execute strategic account plans targeting automotive, industrial, and advanced manufacturing customers
• Identify, qualify, and close new business opportunities aligned with DDN's AI and data platform solutions
• Build strong relationships with key stakeholders including CIOs, CTOs, data leaders, and engineering teams
• Partner with pre-sales engineers and solution architects to deliver tailored solutions that address customer challenges
• Lead complex sales cycles from prospecting through negotiation and close
• Collaborate cross-functionally with marketing, product, and customer success teams to ensure successful customer outcomes
• Maintain accurate pipeline management and forecasting within CRM systems

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• 5+ years of enterprise technology sales experience, preferably within storage, infrastructure, or data solutions
• Experience selling into Manufacturing verticals (e.g., automotive, aerospace, industrial, or smart manufacturing)
• Proven track record of meeting or exceeding quota in complex, solution-based sales environments
• Strong understanding of enterprise IT, data infrastructure, or AI/ML ecosystems
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and executive presentation skills
• Ability to manage long sales cycles and multiple stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with high-performance computing (HPC), AI infrastructure, or large-scale data environments
• Existing relationships within Manufacturing accounts
• Familiarity with Industry 4.0, IoT, digital twins, or advanced analytics use cases

DDN has a very strong orientation towards these 4 characteristics and any successful employee will demonstrate these capabilities:

Self-Starter - Takes independent action to identify and solve problems. Seeks out relevant information needed to make decisions. Gets involved with new initiatives.

Success/Achievement Orientation - Delivers quality results consistently. Targets, achieves (or exceeds) measurable results. Sets challenging goals, focuses on critical priorities, and is accountable.

Problem Solving - Recognizes problems and responds with a systematic assessment that identifies and addresses cause of issue. Practical, realistic, and resourceful.

Innovative - Builds and improves key business processes that enhance the effectiveness of DDN. Generates new ideas, challenges the status quo, and solves problems creatively.

DataDirect Networks, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender, sex stereotyping, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.