Head of Sales Team Ford

Original Equipment Solutions • Rochester Hills, MI

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Head of Customer Team has overall responsibility for the management of relations and development of business with the assigned customer(s). This role involves the development of the global business strategy for the customer and definition of the appropriate measures for implementation. The Head of Customer Team will steer and guide the global customer sales team activities, drive the product and customer strategy and planning (forecasting, budget/SPL) for the respective customer(s) to support a profitable portfolio. This includes driving tasks within the sales process (pre-acquisition, G10-G30), as well as commercial activities in the PLC (G30-G110: change management, annual pricing negotiations). A key aspect of this role is to orchestrate and strengthen business partner relationships on customer leadership level.

Requirements

• Bachelor Degree or similar in Electrical/Mechanical/Chemical engineering or Economics
• B2B Marketing or similar areas
• Eight (8) years experience in sales and/or engineering and/or project management in automotive business preferred
• Five (5) years experience handling global customer PLC projects in automotive industry preferred
• Three (3) years people leadership

Responsibilities

• Responsible for customer related strategic discussions, acquisition requirements and high level negotiations for: Driving to remove internal and external customer obstacles, Ensuring "one voice to the customer" representation during quotation phase and commercial negotiation in alignment with segments, Steering & screening contract management process, Harmonize the internal quotation process with the customer rules, standards, expectations, and requirements and be responsible for all general commercial topics (e.g. open book policy, fixed price clauses), Handle customer escalations / issues & specific requests such as claims, contract management, accounts receivables, quality, warranty and delivery, Lead and steer the annual price negotiations and customer business plan fulfillment process, Initiate and conduct further cross-organizational synergy potentials (e.g. price negotiation, warranty, technical topics), Lead budget planning process.
• Responsible for all tasks / activities related to Value Selling, Order Intake, Acquisition and Quote Process: Define, develop, and execute acquisition strategy and achieve agreed order intake targets, Responsible for execution of: All tasks of the value chain starting from technical and commercial frontloading in the pre-acquisition process until completion of the quotation process according to Quality Certification (IATF 16949 / TS 16949) requirements (G10-G30), Prepare negotiation strategy and lead RFQ / annual pricing and contract negotiation with customer(s), Commercial activities during the project / product development (e.g. Cost and Price Tracking, Change Request etc.), Negotiate anticipated Price Reduction and Discounts (aPRDs), Lead spare part price negotiation in collaboration with sales administration.
• Lead claim negotiations from and towards customers within defined parameters: Negotiation of claims raised from our side of all sort such as: Tooling R&D cost reimbursements, volume shortfalls etc., Negotiation of claims raised from the customer side such as warranty, field actions, volumes etc.
• Identify and prepare relevant customer strategy considering business environment and target setting for sales: Propose customer programs to attack with which products at what time and with a defined action plan, Propose customer specific product offerings, Identify customer needs and white spots, Responsible for commercial competitor and market analysis.
• Maintain business partner relationship on customer leadership level: Manage Apply customer relationship management rules, Review and update customer interface matrix, Establish and maintain customer network on customer leadership level, Ensure communication between internal and external business partners, Be "the voice of the Customer" and represent the company in front of the customer, Organize management meetings up to appropriate management level, Organize and generate content for external meetings (tech days and events) and periodic supplier performance review meetings, Organize and generate content for internal meetings (e.g. conventions and strategy meetings).
• Act and compel colleagues to behave as ambassadors for Quality and Safety, Understand the importance of technical compliance and ensure the adherence thereof in daily business, Be dedicated to maximizing internal & external customer satisfaction by demonstrating ownership, dedication towards ensuring high-quality results and process-orientation, Owning the quality of all outputs in the dedicated responsibility area as process member or process owner, Strive for “Zero Incidents” and “Zero Accidents” by demonstrating ownership and acting as a role model for a safe environment.
• Act and inspire colleagues to challenge the status quo in order to create sustainable solutions, Innovate and/or create solutions to support our corporate sustanability strategy, Respect defined standards and targets for sustainability.

Benefits

• Health
• Dental
• Vision
• Life
• AD&D
• Supplemental
• 401K (up to 6% matching contribution)
• EAP
• 17 days PTO
• Bonus eligible based upon a percentage of base salary and payable via company and personal goals/performance achievements.
• Self-paced training
• Tuition reimbursement
• Manager assigned skills trainings

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager