Automotive Accounts Manager

Automotive Accounts Manager Since 1934, Stabilus has offered components for diverse applications. We started out as a manufacturer of retrofittable stabilizers for the American automotive industry in 1962 and were the first company in the world to produce gas springs as standard equipment. Since then, we have continued to establish our pioneering role: With a wide range of applications, our unique product range and decades of experience, we are the world's leading manufacturer of solutions based on gas springs, dampers and electromechanical drives.

Entertain customers"Educate" customers about the value proposition that Stabilus provides to them. Requires a good understanding of customer needs/requirements and then tailoring the value proposition Timely quotation of new business by internally driving the quote process (prepare internal RFQ, ensure that all necessary technical/commercial information is included, and submit for costing exercise) Prepare pricing proposals (unit price, tooling), review them with customers and address any customer questions such as possible price discrepancies with similar products Attend and lead commercial customer meetings Develop a customer strategy that identifies new opportunities, positions Stabilus to win new business, and exercises leadership in the execution of the strategy Lead the sales effort to achieve internal acceptance of the customer strategy from other functional areas before implementation Plan, prepare, and conduct customer presentations as appropriate Coordinate customer visits to the plant (externally with the customer) Negotiate long term contracts, new production pricing (annual productivity, design and/or process change related, new product, etc.), warranty terms & conditions, prototype prices Obtain and approve production and prototype purchase orders Keep the rest of the assigned Stabilus team members up-to-date regarding quotes submitted and requests-for-quotes Address customer concerns or issues as they arise by determining who at Stabilus is best suited to resolve it and marshalling Stabilus resources to address the concern to the customer's satisfaction Provide customer market intelligence to Stabilus and act as focal point to determine how best to respond to the information Attend trade shows to collect market/competitor intelligence Monitor customer activities in new procedural policies and notify affected Stabilus functional groups so that appropriate action can be taken Commercial liaison for Japanese automotive customers (through MJC / STJ) as necessary Commercial liaison for Tier 1 customers as necessary Travel as required (domestically and internationally) Prepare Local Key Report (Monthly) Prepare World Key Report (Monthly) Automotive Program Review Report (Monthly) Proactively obtain program updates from Stabilus Program Manager to ensure that program timing is not in jeopardy With the Program Manager, determine what, when and how to notify customer in the event of a milestone that is going to be missed, or a test failure occurred, etc. and then be part of the communication loop Secondary Tasks: Provide input as necessary to the Automotive Forecast Preparation (Monthly) Assist STUS Accounting in resolving invoice discrepancies, delinquent payments, etc. by contacting the appropriate customer individuals Provide input to the preparation of obsolescence claims and negotiate the claims with the customer Communicate/clarify issues related to prototype orders with the customer Track customer purchase orders Participate in senior management meetings as needed Program file maintenance (copies only) Submit capital requests for customer tooling Provide periodic updates on outstanding quotes submitted and RFQ's received Education, Training, Certifications: Minimum four (4) years Marketing and/or Technical DegreeMBA is optimal

Be able to achieve a working knowledge of Stabilus core competencies (technology, products, processes, methodologies, etc) to effectively "sell"Interpersonal Skills Must have excellent communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with all levels of the organization as well as outside contacts. Interacts effectively with a broad number of disciplines, externally and internally In-depth industry familiarity with numerous senior level internal and external contacts. Write comprehensive business reports of a complex nature. Articulate customer strategies and exercise leadership in their execution Provide training/guidance to other Stabilus employees with respect to conducting business with a given customer and its employees Communicate effectively with personnel in foreign affiliates, especially Germany, Japan, Brazil and Mexico by being aware of cultural differences and taking them into consideration