Key Account Manager - Performance Tires

Continental•Fort Mill, SC

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Build and lead the go-to-market strategy for a new ultra-high-end performance tire channel in the U.S. replacement market. This role acts as the commercial entrepreneur for the channel, developing the business from the ground up, personally managing strategic accounts, and delivering profitable sales growth across approved sellout paths. The position owns revenue and unit-volume performance, helps establish the annual operating budget and commercial targets, and leads execution through influence across U.S. and global functions.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, engineering or a related field
5+ years of related industry experience
Demonstrated experience launching a new product, channel or business from the ground up
Significant experience in the U.S. replacement tire market
Experience with distributor, dealer, e-commerce or alternative-channel business models
Strong financial and commercial acumen across pricing, forecasting, unit volume, revenue, margin and budget planning
Demonstrated ability to lead complex cross-functional and global teams without direct authority
Ability and willingness to travel frequently and participate in customer, track, enthusiast and industry events, 50% of the time
Legal authorization to work in the U.S. is required. Continental is only able to offer visa support for internals individuals who currently hold an existing valid employment visa

Nice To Haves

7+ years of related industry experience
Ultra-high-performance, exotic, luxury, motorsports or premium automotive market experience
Technical knowledge of tire performance, vehicle applications, fitment requirements and replacement-market dynamics
Established relationships with exotic-vehicle dealerships, specialty performance retailers, distributors, driving organizations or enthusiast communities
Experience using market, vehicle-parc, account and sell-through data to prioritize geographic markets and customer investments

Responsibilities

Develop and execute the end-to-end U.S. go-to-market plan for the ultra-high-end replacement channel, including market segmentation, customer prioritization, route-to-market design, launch sequencing and multiyear growth plans.
Personally identify, prospect, open, negotiate, develop and manage strategic key accounts. Pursue any sellout path aligned with the approved strategy, including exotic and ultra-luxury vehicle dealerships, elite independent installers, specialty distributors, performance shops, e-commerce partners, driving experiences, clubs and track-related partners.
Own annual and long-range revenue and unit-volume plans. Build forecasts, sales pipelines, account plans and corrective actions; monitor sell-in, sellout, market share, conversion and repeat purchase performance.
Develop pricing, trade terms and customer programs in partnership with Finance and Sales leadership. Protect premium brand positioning while driving sustainable growth and targeted margin performance.
Create a disciplined channel-priority strategy that initially emphasizes high-touch, technically credible accounts and controlled fulfillment before broader distribution expansion.
Translate customer, installer and market insights into product, fitment, inventory, service, training and lifecycle recommendations. Maintain technical credibility regarding staggered fitments, load and speed requirements, performance attributes and target vehicle applications.
Develop sales tools, account education, installer standards, service-adviser training and premium customer-experience requirements that support safe, accurate and consistent product representation.
Build strategic partnerships and event activations that generate measurable trial, qualified leads, account introductions and sales conversion, rather than awareness alone.
Coordinate with global teams to share U.S. market requirements, leverage global capabilities and ensure alignment with product development, certification, manufacturing and brand strategy.
Establish channel KPIs and provide clear business reviews to senior leadership, including opportunities, risks, competitive activity, inventory needs, forecast accuracy and recovery plans.
Represent the company at customer meetings, industry events, enthusiast gatherings, driving programs and track-focused activities; travel frequently within the United States.