This is a role which requires commercial savvy and business acumen. The Sales Manager will lead our ZF LIFETEC Passive Safety Systems business with General Motors for the Seat Belt Systems business. 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 located in Washington, Michigan.

Position Responsibilities:

• Be the first point of contact to the customer.
• Be present at customer, building relationship and understanding their needs and market opportunities and threats.
• Identify new business opportunities, obtain RFQ’s, lead quotation processes, negotiation and follow-up with customer.
• Support and implement long term business strategies to achieve the Business Unit short and long-term goals (sales, profitability, claim, etc.).
• Development and implement sales and marketing strategies according to the strategic and operative business planning.
• Coordination, preparation and execution of customer meetings and events.
• Manage commercial activities as a member of new product program teams, coordinating all customer commercial and business requirements like prototype timing, delivery and logistics needs.
• Support the Sr. Sales Manager and Sales Director/VP in preparing and implementing sales strategies for sustainable competitive advantage.
• Manage and deal with commercial documentation: including purchase orders, tooling orders, cost breakdowns, cost tracking/history and change management.
• Actively negotiate with customer, as needed, Raw Material, Inflation, Tariffs and FX recoveries pre and post SOP.
• Monitor and address customer issues on cost, quality, delivery and warranty.
• Work collaboratively within a global sales team, contributing to global team efforts.
• Work hand in hand with other internal departments – engineering, finance, operations, product line to prepare customer quotations and achieve successful negotiations.
• Manage A/R timely.

Experience and Skill Set:

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in Engineering or Business Administration. Master’s degree preferred.
• Requires 7+ years of progressive sales experience in the automotive industry.
• Strong preference will be given to experience on dealing with General Motors and interiors/restraints related products.
• Strong understanding of customer needs with excellent commercial negotiation and business acquisition skills required.
• Proven success achieving profitable growth, ideally including experience in selling similar products and unwavering dedication to selling and winning.
• 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.
• Ability to work in a cross-functional Global organization, managing multiple projects and completing priorities.
• Strong in MS Office (Excel/PowerPoint/Word).
• Winning mentality and persuasion skills as well as a high level of integrity and professionalism.
• Energetic, responsive team player who is keen to take initiative.
• Proactive, organized, and accuracy with attention to detail. 
• Professional communications skills both written and verbal.
• Fluency in English required.
• Ability to travel as business needs require. Frequent travel required to support customer. 

Be part of our ZF Lifetec team as Sales Manager - GM and apply now!

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