Sales Manager

IMS Gear Georgia, LLC•Gainesville, GA

48d

About The Position

The Sales Manager will lead business growth within the automotive market, focusing on plastic and metal components as well as complete gearbox systems. This position supports our manufacturing operations in the U.S. and Mexico and requires regular customer engagement and travel across these regions. The role also involves close collaboration with colleagues at our global headquarters in Germany and other international sites. The Sales Manager is responsible for developing and delivering technically sound, commercially competitive proposals to our North American customers. The ideal candidate brings a balance of strong communication skills, technical understanding, and business acumen—enabling them to effectively represent our products, identify customer needs, and develop tailored solutions. Success in this position depends on the ability to collaborate and build relationships across functions, including Purchasing, Engineering, Quality, and Management.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or a related field; equivalent professional experience may be considered.
Minimum of 3 years of experience in technical sales, preferably within the automotive industry.
Proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships with both internal teams and external customers.
Highly organized with strong multitasking capabilities and attention to detail.
Open-minded, curious, and committed to continuous learning and improvement.
Passionate about identifying and promoting solutions to meet customer challenges.
Strong critical thinking skills with the ability to evaluate options and make sound decisions.
Collaborative team player who can also assertively represent company interests when needed.
Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.
Experience managing long and complex sales cycles.
Excellent communication and negotiation skills, both written and verbal.
Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally (~25%).
Ability to interpret and understand customer technical drawings.
Skilled in conflict management and resolution.
Experience working in diverse, international environments.

Nice To Haves

Preferred experience in automotive manufacturing, including familiarity with AIAG APQP processes and IATF 16949 quality standards.
Knowledge of injection molding, machining, gear technology, and electro-mechanical actuators is a plus.
Language skills in German, Spanish, or Japanese are a plus.

Responsibilities

Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with existing customers while actively developing new business opportunities
Present IMS Gear products to customers, facilitate technical reviews, and respond to inquiries with support from internal engineering teams.
Review customer inquiries, confirm specifications, and coordinate technical feasibility analysis with Engineering and R&D.
Evaluate economic factors such as capacity, investment, and pricing targets; prepare calculations and business cases aligned with company KPIs
Collaborate with Purchasing to request and assess supplier quotations for project requirements
Prepare and present customer quotations; negotiate pricing, product design, schedules, and contractual terms.
Manage price adjustments and contract changes for existing accounts, including raw material cost compensation and service parts.
Support Project Management to ensure timely and compliant product development in line with internal processes
Develop sales forecasts and strategic plans for assigned customers and product segments, analyzing market trends and performance.
Continuously assess market conditions and competitor activities to optimize product positioning.
Represent IMS Gear at industry events, fairs, and technical shows to promote products and engage with potential clients.
Assist in customer audits related to supplier assessments and quality development initiatives.
Generate and maintain opportunities in the CRM system, ensuring accurate and timely updates.
Monitor customer satisfaction and support resolution of complaints related to quality, capacity, or logistics
Work closely with internal teams including Business Unit Operations, Project Management, Engineering, and Purchasing to ensure alignment and success.