Key Account Manager

Job Description

Job Description

About the Company

Large global supplier of automotive parts for the automotive industry has an outstanding opportunity available in the Detroit area for a Key Account Manager.

About the Role

The Key Account Manager is responsible for managing and expanding strategic customer relationships within the automotive sector, with a strong focus on supporting and growing business at the North American manufacturing plant. This role drives revenue growth, customer satisfaction, and long‑term account development through proactive engagement, strategic planning, and cross‑functional collaboration. Must currently live in the Detroit, MI area.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic account plans to expand business with OEMs, Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 automotive customers.
• Identify new business opportunities, upsell and cross‑sell solutions, and drive long‑term profitable growth.
• Maintain strong, ongoing relationships with engineering, purchasing, quality, and manufacturing contacts at customer organizations.
• Serve as the primary customer interface, ensuring high levels of responsiveness and customer satisfaction.
• Lead development of medium‑ and long‑term sales strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Prepare and deliver technical presentations, proposals, and commercial quotations.
• Manage RFQ processes, pricing negotiations, and contract discussions.
• Track sales performance, forecasts, and KPIs to ensure targets are met or exceeded.
• Work closely with operations, engineering, quality, and supply chain teams to align customer needs with production capabilities.
• Communicate customer requirements, product expectations, and technical feedback to internal teams.
• Support issue resolution, customer complaints, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Travel up to 60% to customer sites, trade shows, and the plant to support business development and relationship management.
• This position will work with companies such as Ford, General Motors, and other OEM automotive companies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, or related field (technical aptitude strongly preferred).
• Minimum 5+ years of experience in automotive account management, technical sales, or business development.
• Proven success managing complex automotive customer accounts with long sales cycles.

Required Skills

• Strong commercial acumen, negotiation skills, and ability to manage technical discussions.
• Ability to work independently in a remote environment while coordinating across global teams.
• CRM proficiency and strong organizational skills.
• Strategic account planning.
• Relationship building and customer engagement.
• Technical and commercial communication.
• Problem‑solving and issue resolution.
• Forecasting and data‑driven decision‑making.
• Cross‑functional collaboration.

Preferred Skills

• Ability to travel up to 60% to customer sites, trade shows, and the USA plant.
• Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods during customer visits, plant tours, and meetings.
• Ability to lift and carry materials such as product samples, presentation equipment, or trade show materials (typically up to 25 lbs).