Account Manager -Japanese OEMs

Role Objective:

This is a role which requires commercial savvy and business acumen. The Account Manager will be responsible for a portfolio of projects for our Passive Safety Systems business in North America with Japanese OEMS. There is tough competition in our business sectors and rigorous financial pressures, so the position requires financial aptitude and a comfort level working with highly technical products. The position is in Washington, Michigan.

Your Tasks

• Responsible and accountable for a portfolio of customers, products and/or projects within the NA region (USA, Mexico, Canada) for the JOEM global account within ZF LIFETEC - airbags, seat belts, and steering wheel restraint systems.
• Responsible for sales tasks throughout the product lifecycle: from business planning to business acquisition (RFQ) and until and after the launch of the product.
• Responsible and accountable for the performance of the portfolio including sales plan, business acquisition and financial profitability in line with the global account strategy; manage the negotiation process with the customer.
• Reports to and supports the JOEMs NA Sales Manager developing battle plans, account strategy, and presentations for new acquisitions, conducting customer negotiations aligned with the global account strategy, reporting internally within sales and to the business units.
• Coordinate closely with the Global JOEM Sales team, notably but not limited to Japan, as well as other internal departments – engineering, finance, operations, product line to prepare customer quotations and achieve successful negotiations.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in Business or Engineering.

Your Profile

• Requires 5+ years of sales experience in the automotive industry.
• Preference for those with prior experience working with the JOEM customer base.
• Strong understanding of customer needs with excellent negotiation skills required.
• Experience in working in a global, cross-functional organizational structure.​ Proactive cooperation to work with a wide variety of functions/individuals within and across the organization at all levels; internally and externally.
• Ability to juggle competing demands and adapt to different situations. Must be able to perform under stressful conditions and meet immediate or short-lead time deadlines.
• Thinks strategically and considers the long-term view.
• Analytical approach with experience creating business cases for management review and approval.
• Be able to work in a high dynamic organization and to work under pressure. Team player as part of a global sales team.
• Strong in MS Office (Excel/PowerPoint/Word).
• Solid analytical, project management, facilitation, and problem-solving skills.
• Winning mentality and persuasion skills as well as a high level of integrity and professionalism.
• Energetic, responsive team player who is keen to take initiatives.
• Proactive, organized, and accuracy with attention to detail. 
• Professional communications skills both verbally and in writing.
• Fluency in English required; Spanish or Japanese a plus.
• Flexibility to support global virtual meetings outside of NA core hours on an as needed basis.
• Domestic/International travel required on an as needed basis. Frequent travel required to support customer.

Be part of our ZF Lifetec team as Account Manager -Japanese OEMs and apply now!

Contact

Barbara Campa Fernandez

Barbara.Campa@zf-lifetec.com 

DIVERSITY COMMITMENT: 
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are more than just words for us. They are at the core of the ZF Way that propels our team members towards their utmost success. We strive to build and nurture a culture where inclusiveness is a natural reflex. We actively seek ways to remove barriers so that every member of ZF can rise to their full potential. We aim to embed this in our legacy through how we operate and build our products as we shape next generation mobility, safety, sustainability and social justice. 

With four generations across 118 nationalities in 41 countries, ZF combines a unique variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and ideas. Together, we solve problems, drive innovation and shape next generation mobility. 

Our company is committed to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity and to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you are interested in applying for employment with us and are in need of accommodation or special assistance to navigate our website or to complete your application, please contact us. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. ZF is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job-related reasons regardless of an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, marital status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law. Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer M/F/Disability/Veteran