Sales Account Manager - Automotive

JTEKT North America•Plymouth, MI

About The Position

The Automotive Sales Account Manager manages and grows JTEKT’s sales with Ford Motor Company and additional Tier 1 customer accounts as assigned. The role promotes profitable and sustainable accounts and supports JTEKT’s short- and long-term strategic sales goals through an Annual Plan. It covers commercial and technical account management, customer inquiries and quotes, business planning, negotiations, customer relationship development, contract adjustments, process-change approvals, prototype requirements, and tariff recovery efforts. The role has no supervisory responsibilities. Work is mostly performed in a normal office setting, with substantial computer use and minimal exposure to health or safety hazards. The position also requires exposure to manufacturing areas, where prescribed personal protective equipment must be used. Travel may be required.

Requirements

At least 1 year of account management experience.
General knowledge and understanding of mechanical, electrical, and technical components.
Excellent verbal and written communication and language skills.
Experience communicating across departments and externally with customers, sales teams, business management, engineering, and customer service representatives.
Self-starter who is self-motivated and results-driven.
Computer skills, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Ability to work unsupervised and prioritize workload.
Ability to work in a team-based, participative environment toward group goals.
Bachelor’s degree in business or equivalent work experience considered.
Ability to travel as required.
Ability to operate a computer keyboard and other office equipment with sufficient hand, arm, and finger dexterity.
Use prescribed personal protective equipment when exposed to manufacturing areas.

Nice To Haves

Automotive experience is preferred.
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering is preferred.
Experience selling to automotive OEMs or Tier 1 customers is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Manage commercial and technical relationships for Ford and other assigned customer accounts.
Achieve or exceed the annual business plan forecast.
Generate and follow up on customer inquiries and product quotes.
Identify opportunities early in customers’ advanced development processes and follow them through RFQ receipt, negotiation resolution, and production.
Present quotations to customers promptly while meeting Business Unit profitability objectives.
Represent JTEKT and develop and maintain customer relationships.
Communicate customer issues and requirements effectively through internal and external channels.
Coordinate contract adjustments internally and externally.
Understand customer needs for process changes and coordinate the information needed to obtain customer approval within JTEKT.
Coordinate routine customer visits to JTEKT plants as required.
Identify opportunities to increase sales and improve profits in maintenance business.
Coordinate customer prototype requirements.
Lead tariff recovery collection efforts.
Maintain positive relationships with peers in sales, business units, engineering, and manufacturing.