Sales Account Manager - Automotive

JTEKT North America•Plymouth, MI

About The Position

The Automotive Sales Account Manager is responsible for managing and growing JTEKT’s sales with Ford Motor Company and additional Tier 1 customer accounts as assigned. The role supports JTEKT’s short- and long-term strategic sales goals through an Annual Plan, promoting account profitability and sustainability while growing market share. The position manages commercial and technical customer accounts, develops opportunities throughout the customer’s advanced development process, and supports business from RFQ through negotiation and production. It works across internal teams and with customers to address requirements, quotations, contracts, process changes, prototypes, and tariff recovery. The job is mostly performed in a normal office setting, with substantial computer use and occasional exposure to manufacturing areas requiring prescribed PPE. 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 a group goal.
Bachelor’s degree in business or equivalent work experience is considered.
Sufficient hand, arm, and finger dexterity to operate a computer keyboard and other office equipment.
Ability to use prescribed PPE when exposed to manufacturing areas.

Nice To Haves

Automotive experience is preferred.
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering is preferred.
Experience selling to an automotive OEM or Tier 1 customer 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 quotations for all products.
Prospect for opportunities early in customers’ advanced development processes, through RFQ, negotiation resolution, and production.
Present quotations to customers in a timely manner 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 and requirements for process changes and coordinate information within JTEKT to obtain customer approval.
Coordinate routine customer visits to JTEKT plants as required.
Identify opportunities to increase sales and improve profit on maintenance business.
Coordinate customer prototype requirements.
Lead tariff recovery collection efforts.
Develop and maintain positive working relationships with peers in sales, business units, engineering, and manufacturing.