Key Account Manager - Automotive (Inline Automated Inspection Systems)

About us

Innovative Inline Metrology
NEWSTON Automated Solutions GmbH supports customers with innovative and customized inline metrology solutions. As a technology leader in inline metrology, we offer the foundation for future-oriented quality strategies for the "smart factories" of the future by integrating our innovative robot vision systems directly into our customers' production lines. All well-known OEMs in the automotive sector (VW, Audi, Mercedes, Volvo, etc.) benefit from our expertise. With approximately 130 employees, we ensure that our high-tech metrology is available to our customers worldwide (USA, China, Spain, Slovakia, etc.) every day.

Job Description

The Role
We're looking for a Key Account Manager to own and grow strategic relationships with automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers. You'll be the face of Newston Automated Solutions USA Corp. For your accounts — understanding their production challenges, positioning our inline inspection technology as the solution, and driving the sales cycle from first conversation through implementation and renewal.
This is a technical, consultative sales role. You'll work closely with engineering, applications, and project management teams to translate customer quality and throughput requirements into winning proposals, and you'll be measured on account growth, customer retention, and new business development within your territory.
What You'll Do

• Own key accounts — manage and grow relationships with assigned automotive OEM and Tier 1/2 accounts, acting as the primary commercial point of contact
• Drive new business — identify and pursue opportunities for inline inspection systems (e.g., machine vision, dimensional/geometric inspection, surface defect detection, assembly verification) across new and existing production lines
• Understand the technical problem — work with customer quality, manufacturing, and process engineering teams to scope inspection requirements, throughput targets, and integration constraints
• Build winning proposals — partner with applications engineers and product specialists to develop technical and commercial proposals, ROI/cost-of-quality justifications, and competitive bids
• Manage the full sales cycle — from lead qualification and technical demos through quoting, negotiation, contract close, and handoff to project execution
• Forecast and report — maintain accurate pipeline, account plans, and revenue forecasts in CRM; provide regular updates to sales leadership
• Represent us at trade shows and customer sites — attend industry events (e.g., Automate, IMTS, regional automotive supplier expos) and conduct on-site visits to production facilities
• Be the voice of the customer — relay market feedback, competitive intelligence, and emerging quality/inspection trends to product management and engineering
• Support post-sale success — stay engaged through installation and ramp-up to ensure customer satisfaction and identify expansion opportunities

Your Requirements

What You Bring

• 5+ years of key account management experience, ideally selling capital equipment, automation, or inspection/quality systems into automotive manufacturing
• Working knowledge of automotive manufacturing processes (stamping, welding, assembly or similar) and quality requirements (PPAP, IATF 16949, SPC, etc.)
• Familiarity with inline inspection or machine vision technology (e.g., 2D/3D vision systems, laser scanning, CMM, AI-based defect detection) direct experience selling or applying these systems is a strong plus
• Proven track record of managing complex, multi-stakeholder sales cycles (engineering, quality, procurement, plant management) and closing six-to-seven-figure capital deals
• Strong technical aptitude — comfortable reading specs, discussing integration requirements, and translating engineering detail into customer value
• Excellent relationship-building, negotiation, and presentation skills
• Willingness to travel (typically 30–50%) to customer sites, plants, and industry events
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• Proficiency with CRM tools (Salesforce, MS Dynamics, or similar) and Microsoft Office/Excel

• Existing relationships within automotive OEMs or Tier 1 suppliers
• Experience with global accounts or cross-border sales
• Background in machine vision, metrology, or industrial automation companies
• Second language relevant to automotive manufacturing hubs (e.g., German, Spanish)

Why us?

What We Offer

• Competitive base salary + commission/bonus structure
• Health, dental, vision insurance
• 401(k)
• Company vehicle or travel allowance
• A chance to sell technology that directly improves manufacturing quality and sustainability (less scrap, fewer recalls, safer vehicles)