Robert Holmgren
Clarkston,MI
Summary
Dynamic Business Development Executive with a proven track record at Horstman, securing contracts exceeding $10 million. Expert in strategic planning and market analysis, driving growth through innovative business strategies. Adept at fostering customer relationships and leading cross-functional teams to achieve ambitious targets. Recognized for analytical problem-solving and delivering impactful results in competitive markets.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Business Development Executive
Horstman
01.2022 - 01.2025
- Created sales, marketing, and business strategies in the defense sector, securing contracts over $10 million and driving entry into new markets.
- Led comprehensive business development initiatives, shaping customer requirements and securing major contracts.
- Identified and cultivated new market opportunities for defense-related ground vehicle systems.
- Provided strategic guidance through customer and competitor intelligence to inform product and business development.
- Drafted, negotiated, and managed agreements, contracts, and MoUs within authorized limits.
- Drove order intake targets and contributed to pricing strategies, proposals, and negotiations.
- Collaborated with internal teams and mentored colleagues to support organizational growth and succession planning.
- Ensured compliance with export regulations and actively contributed to continuous improvement efforts.
Sales Executive
Freudenberg Filtration Technologies (FFT)
Metro Detroit, MI
01.2021 - 01.2022
- Oversee sales and marketing for OEM and OES filters in automotive, off-road, heavy duty, and agricultural sectors, ensuring business growth and profitability targets are met.
- Maintained strong customer relationships and supported the development and execution of growth strategies.
- Led cross-functional teams-including customer service, engineering, operations, quality, accounting, and logistics-to deliver on customer needs.
- Developed and implemented business plans to drive growth and achieve sales targets.
- Collaborated with global colleagues to secure success on international platforms.
- Prepared quotations, conducted contract reviews, and monitored program status to ensure project alignment.
- Proactively identified and pursued cost savings and cost avoidance opportunities.
- Responsible for sales and marketing activities of the special application business which includes products for the Fuel Cell, Commercial Vehicle, and E-mobility market.
- Prospected and qualified new customer opportunities, presenting company capabilities and product offerings.
- Provided product recommendations and integration guidance for new proposals.
- Supported the global market manager and strategy group by capturing the voice of the customer and delivering detailed market analyses.
- Assessed the competitive landscape in the North American market and provided actionable feedback to the lead center.
Sr. Application Engineer
Freudenberg Filtration Technologies (FFT)
12.2015 - 01.2021
- Led automotive air filter projects from concept through production, ensuring all technical deliverables and program schedules were met.
- Managed projects covering cabin air, fuel cell, and engine air intake filters for passenger cars, light trucks, and heavy-duty trucks.
- Liaison with customers, suppliers and internal departments on the design, processing, testing, quality, production and delivery issues to ensure a smooth transition from concept through production.
- Coordinate with global team on project updates, research and development, and regional market needs.
- Support Marketing and Sales with design proposals, cost estimations and technical input for preparing quotations, technical presentations to customers.
- Ensure compliance with applicable Quality Systems, timely submission of PPAP's to customers and adherence to the APQP requirements.
- Lead technical investigations into additional automotive segments such as agriculture, construction and buses, to ascertain opportunities for filtration products.
Test Engineer
MAHLE
01.2015 - 01.2016
- Managed test requests for automotive HVAC modules, overseeing three specialized test stands designed for measuring temperature control curves (TCC) and individual airflow quantities (IAQ).
- Coordinating test stand schedules to accommodate customer timing for design validation (DV), production validation (PV) and development testing.
- Writing validation reports based on test results.
- Developing procedures to improve repeatability on test requests.
- Training technicians to operate equipment and perform measurement.
- Improving test stands to increase efficiency and reliability of measurements.
Education
MBA -
Indiana University - Kelly School of Business
Bloomington, IN 06.2021 - 11.2025
B.S. - Mechanical Engineering
Kettering University
Flint, MI01.2015
Skills
- Business development and market analysis
- Project management
- Customer relationship management
- Strategic planning
- Marketing strategy
- Analytical problem solver
- Contract negotiation
- Data analysis
Timeline
Business Development Executive
Horstman
01.2022 - 01.2025
MBA -
Indiana University - Kelly School of Business
06.2021 - 11.2025
Sales Executive
Freudenberg Filtration Technologies (FFT)
01.2021 - 01.2022
Sr. Application Engineer
Freudenberg Filtration Technologies (FFT)
12.2015 - 01.2021
Test Engineer
MAHLE
01.2015 - 01.2016
B.S. - Mechanical Engineering
Kettering University