Account Manager

Available Positions•Downers Grove, IL

11h

About The Position

The Account Manager is responsible for building and deepening relationships with a designated customer (Japanese automotive customer). In this role, you will manage day-to-day commercial activities for the customer, such as client engineering changes, and support the Director of Business Development or Director of Sales in increasing market share, developing business relationships, introducing new technologies, and disseminating information to the various departments within UGN.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in business or related field from an accredited university or college.
5 + years of related experience in the automotive industry.
Ability to respond effectively to inquiries from customers.
Must possess strong negotiating, strategic thinking, execution, teamwork, situational leadership, and planning skills.
Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills are required.
Demonstrated sales ability and “presence” to deal effectively with senior-level contacts.
Significant network of contacts and ability to network in the defined market.
Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams, and also project management software.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience working within the Japanese business culture and/or working with the Japanese automotive industry preferred.

Responsibilities

Support the Director of Business Development to maintain the current level of business at each customer and to be fully conversant with future strategies, activities, or requirements of the customer.
Support the coordination of all business activities of a given customer.
Ensure that cash that is owed to UGN from the customer is collected on time.
Properly communicate to applicable plants and departments a customer's visit expectations.
Maintain awareness of competitors' activities at the customer.
Explore new business opportunities to increase market share, technology innovations, and new products.
Support the development of strategies by platform for new business opportunities at each customer, which includes the platform, targeted parts, internal strengths and weaknesses, and competitors' strengths and weaknesses.
Build customer relationships to promote, enhance, and expand UGN's position within the OEM and our reputation as a full-range acoustical/interior trim producer.
Quote current and potential business opportunities.
Make a continuous effort to increase profit margins on all associate parts.
Responsible for all commercial issues related to engineering changes in support of Program Management.
Act as a lead in managing day-to-day activities on all current programs.
Support value-added/value engineering activities by the plants, engineering, and purchasing.
Assist Product Engineering with programs and projects at the customer technical center.
Develop an internal proposal for customers' annual price reductions in a timely manner for approval.
Participate in commercial and technical-related discussions with Nittoku, Autoneum, and our customers.
Along with the Director of Business Development, establishes the yearly volume and price forecast; performs regular maintenance of the UGN database and yearly entry of forecasted data.
Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

UGN Way culture grounded in values of Respect, Trust, and Communication
Agile organization of empowered Team Members
Outstanding results through collaboration, caring, and high standards
Recognized industry leader with a proven track record of success
Workplace that prioritizes Team Member satisfaction and professional growth
Culture grounded in values that foster collaboration and innovation
Opportunity to make an impact both professionally and in the community
Team committed to excellence, empowerment, and making every Team Member feel valued
Equal opportunities to be successful
Proud to be an equal-opportunity workplace