Maxime Lefebvre

Head of Sales and Business Development Western Europe / Accelerate software-defined systems with Apex.AI

France

About

● 15+ years across automotive, aerospace, defense, and rail (consulting, Tier 1, startup). ● Expertise in complex, long sales cycles and multi-year contract negotiations. ● Strong understanding of low- and medium-volume production challenges. ● Hunter & farmer profile with a solid network across France and Western Europe. ● Fluent in English; international experience (Germany, U.S.) and active global network. ● Entrepreneurial mindset with a focus on growth and organizational structuring. ● Proven leadership, including managing a ~50-person business unit. ● Effective with both C-level stakeholders and engineering teams.

Experience

  • Head of Sales and Business Development - Western Europe at Apex.AI
    Feb 2023 - Present · 3 yrs 5 mos

    Apex.AI develops certified, scalable software for mobility and industrial systems, leveraging and enhancing open-source technologies (ROS, Eclipse iceoryx) to meet the highest functional safety standards. • Built and led Business Development across Western Europe (FR, IT, UK, ES, PT) and additional regions (Israel, Turkey, Canada); defined and executed regional strategy • Owned go-to-market and revenue growth: pipeline creation, strategic accounts, forecasting • Managed C-level relationships across OEMs, Tier-1s, and key industrial players • Led complex, high-value deals end-to-end (qualification to closing) • Developed strategic partnerships to accelerate market penetration and scale • Acted as voice of the customer, influencing product, positioning, and marketing • Supported investor relations and strategic discussions Product: Certified ROS 2–based middleware for safety-critical systems Selected customers: Renault, Stellantis, JLR, McLaren, Ford Otosan, Valeo, OP Mobility, Continental, Wayve, Oxa, Airbus, Thales, Safran, Alstom, Siemens Mobility, Rio Tinto, Kuhn, AGCO, JCB, Capgemini, MathWorks

  • Continental (5 yrs)
    • Senior Sales Manager
      Feb 2021 - Feb 2023 · 2 yrs 1 mo

      • Sales and Business acquisition for Continental in France, Belgium & Netherlands • Match Business needs with Continental Products and Services solutions • Increase market share through new bookings • Responsible from very early stage of a project until SOP in terms of non-disclosure agreements, quotations, negotiation with the customer (R&D & part price) handling of Orders, contracts, etc. • Serve as an active member of the Sales leadership team and coordinate relationships between the Top Management, Sales, Business Development & Acquisition team, Marketing, R&D team, Legal, Production and Logistic • Products & Services Portfolio : - Embedded Software Solution (Software as a Product, Software as a Service) - ADAS, Brakes, Chassis and Safety systems - Interior applications, Cybersecurity - Engineering Consulting & Support, Concept Development, Production, Prototypes & Samples • Customers Portfolio : OEMs (Alliance Renault Nissan Mitsubishi, Stellantis), Buses (Caetano, Irizar, Irisbus, Iveco Group), Other customers (Polaris Group, Ligier, Hopium, FIA)

    • Sales Manager
      Mar 2018 - Jan 2021 · 2 yrs 11 mos

  • Business Unit Manager at Akka Technologies
    Feb 2016 - Mar 2018 · 2 yrs 2 mos

    • Business development in the healthcare sector • Key Account Manager for GE Healthcare • Creation and management of a business unit of 50 employees • Leading a Team of 2 Sales & 1 HR Managers, Strategy & Lobbying, Profit center Administrative & financial management • Portfolio : GE Healthcare, Diagnostica STAGO, CARESTREAM Dental, LIVA NOVA, CARMAT

  • Travel break at Planet Earth
    Mar 2015 - Dec 2015 · 10 mos

    World Tour - 17 countries visited

  • Senior Business Manager at Assystem
    Jun 2013 - Feb 2015 · 1 yr 9 mos

    • Business development France & international (UK, Germany) in Aerospace-Defence-Automotive sectors • Management of a multidisciplinary team of 40 consultants • Business development, tender management, Strategy & Lobbying, Project management, Recruitment • Portfolio : Aerospace (ZODIAC Aérospace), Defence (AIRBUS DS, MBDA), Automotive (PSA, VALEO, AUTOLIV)