Key Account Manager; Battery–North America

Alkegen•Detroit, MI

12h

About The Position

Alkegen brings together two of the world’s leading specialty materials companies to create one new, innovation-driven leader focused on battery technologies, filtration media, and specialty insulation and sealing materials. Through global reach and breakthrough inventions, we’re delivering products that enable the world to breathe easier, live greener, and go further than ever before. With over 60 manufacturing facilities with a global workforce of over 9,000 of the industry’s most experienced talent, including insulation and filtration experts, Alkegen is uniquely positioned to help customers impact the environment in meaningful ways. Alkegen offers a range of dynamic career opportunities with globe-spanning reach. From production operators to engineers, technicians to specialists, sales to leadership, we’re always looking for top talent ready to bring their best. Come grow with us! Alkegen is an established Tier 1 and Directed Tier 2 supplier of passive fire protection materials and components that improve the performance and safety of lithium-ion battery systems. The Key Account Manager; North America - Battery provides sales management for the defined key account(s), for the rapidly growing passive fire protection business for electric vehicle, energy storage systems, and Lithium Ion Battery (LiB) manufacturers. This role is responsible to cultivate an established $0.5B+ growth opportunity pipeline to achieve Sales Initiatives and Standard Margin Growth targets for the BU. The position requires a keen understanding of the business and competitive environment, managing the overall sales efforts and providing support in the development new product requirements to meet evolving customer needs. The incumbent will manage top customer relationships (Key Accounts) within the geography and will assure the appropriate application and market support. This position acts as the voice of the customer within the Company and will interface with R&D, Operations, and Marketing to ensure appropriate levels or service and quality as well as the right product portfolio. This role identifies new opportunities to expand Alkegen’s leadership position in the lithium-ion battery market for passive fire, thermal and electrical protections. Performs key account analysis, builds the business case, and makes recommendations to position Alkegen at the forefront of solutions for new electrification applications in this dynamic, and technology driven, emerging space. In addition to prospecting new business, this role will provide ongoing sales support to key account OEMs within the assigned territory, and coordinates globally with other Sales Engineers, Program Management and Application Engineering from the Battery Fire Protection business. The individual holding this job must be proficient in the technical and operational management of his or her products and be able to represent Alkegen as an expert in this space. Market development and incremental sales shall be achieved through specification selling, and OEM education.

Requirements

B.S. degree in Engineering, Business Admin. or Marketing is required.
5-10 years of experience in Sales Management; lithium-based battery and/or automotive Tier 1 sales.
Must be proficient in the technical and operational management of his/her products and be able to represent Alkegen as an expert in this space.
Must be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
Excellent interpersonal, communication, presentation, and relationship building skills are required.

Nice To Haves

An MBA is preferred.
GM account experience preferred.
Knowledge of battery systems and passive fire protection applications is helpful.

Responsibilities

Cultivates relationships with customer to help secure positioning within the account.
Ability to build relationships at all levels within an organization from design engineers to the Sr. Management/ Director levels within OEM organization.
Proficient at new business development activities.
Champions new product implementation efforts through specification selling, education of testing standards, and establishment of appropriate channel of sales and relationships with end users.
Plan and manage key account sales strategy and tactics to ensure Battery Fire protection Strategic Plan and annual Operating Plan revenue and growth objectives are met.
Develop accurate rolling sales forecasts to support the Sales and Operations Planning process and Manufacturing Operations.
Ensure CRM tool is utilized and is up to date.
Participate in weekly opportunity and prospect reviews from CRM Initiative Tracker.
Coordinate customer technical review preparations with internal teams and presentation of technical reviews and proposals at customers support new sales opportunities
Maintains product leadership by identifying and developing promotional tools that educate, promote, and articulate product advantages and customer value.
Protects pricing integrity by recommending price policies and practices for new programs
Provide timely market and competitive intelligence.
Understands market environment and competitive situations and builds appropriate response plans
Cross functional team player; Work in close coordination with Marketing, Customer Service, Application Engineering, Program Management, Research and Development, Program Launch, Finance, Supply Chain Group, and Manufacturing in support to meet customer requirements.
Participation in industry events, and industry specific committees (where applicable).
Business travel required for customer and supplier meetings