Application Guide
How to Apply for Director of Aftermarket Sales
at HITACHI ENERGY
🏢 About HITACHI ENERGY
JR Automation, a Hitachi Group Company, is a leading provider of intelligent automated manufacturing and distribution technology solutions, serving top manufacturers worldwide. By joining Hitachi Energy, you become part of a global team dedicated to advancing sustainable energy systems and achieving a carbon-neutral future. This role offers the chance to work at the intersection of automation and renewable energy, making a tangible impact on how the world produces and distributes goods.
About This Role
As the Director of Aftermarket Sales, you will be responsible for driving revenue growth through the sale of aftermarket services, parts, and upgrades for JR Automation's installed base. You will lead a team to develop and execute strategic sales plans, build strong customer relationships, and identify new business opportunities within the automation aftermarket sector. This position is pivotal in ensuring customer success and maximizing lifetime value, directly contributing to Hitachi Energy's mission of sustainable energy innovation.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve leading a virtual sales meeting with your team to review pipeline and strategy, followed by calls with key customers to discuss service contracts or upgrade opportunities. You could also collaborate with engineering and product teams to tailor aftermarket solutions, analyze sales data to identify trends, and travel to a customer site or JR Automation facility for a strategic review. The role balances strategic planning, team leadership, and hands-on customer engagement to drive aftermarket growth.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who HITACHI ENERGY Is Looking For
- Proven track record in aftermarket sales leadership within industrial automation or a related technical field, with experience managing a remote sales team.
- Strong technical aptitude to understand automation systems, service contracts, and upgrade solutions, coupled with the ability to communicate value propositions to customers.
- Strategic thinker with demonstrated success in developing and executing sales strategies that drive revenue growth and customer retention.
- Excellent relationship-building skills, with the ability to collaborate cross-functionally and influence stakeholders at all levels, including C-suite executives.
📝 Tips for Applying to HITACHI ENERGY
Highlight your experience in aftermarket sales specifically, not just general sales, and quantify achievements such as revenue growth percentages or customer retention rates.
Emphasize your familiarity with automation technologies or industrial equipment, as JR Automation serves manufacturers with complex automated systems.
Tailor your resume to include keywords from the job description, such as 'aftermarket,' 'service contracts,' 'upgrades,' and 'customer success,' to pass automated screening.
Since the role is remote but ideally located in Holland, MI, mention your ability to travel to Michigan or other JR Automation sites as needed, and express willingness to relocate if applicable.
Research Hitachi Energy's sustainability initiatives and JR Automation's product lines, then incorporate how your sales strategies can support their mission in your application materials.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your specific experience in aftermarket sales within the automation or industrial sector, including examples of how you grew revenue and improved customer satisfaction.', 'Your leadership style and ability to manage a remote sales team, with metrics showing team performance improvements.', "How you align with Hitachi Energy's vision of sustainable energy and can contribute to JR Automation's aftermarket growth.", 'Your understanding of the challenges manufacturers face with automation systems and how aftermarket services provide solutions.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Explore JR Automation's website to understand their automation solutions, industries served, and recent projects or acquisitions.
- → Research Hitachi Energy's sustainability goals and how JR Automation fits into the broader Hitachi group, especially in aftermarket services.
- → Look up recent news about JR Automation, such as expansions, new technologies, or partnerships, to discuss in interviews.
- → Understand the competitive landscape in industrial automation aftermarket services, including key competitors like Rockwell Automation or Siemens, to position JR Automation's strengths.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Focusing only on new sales rather than aftermarket services; this role requires a deep understanding of the aftermarket lifecycle and customer retention.
- Neglecting to demonstrate technical knowledge of automation systems; candidates who can't speak to the technology may struggle to gain credibility.
- Applying without addressing the remote aspect; since the role is remote but based in Michigan, showing a lack of willingness to travel or engage with the team in person can be a disadvantage.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to HITACHI ENERGY!