Account Manager (Automotive Tier 1)

Optima Organizational Solutions; New Boston (MI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Optima Organizational Solutions in Michigan is seeking an Account Manager to serve as the primary commercial liaison with a key automotive OEM. You will foster the customer relationship, coordinate RFQs and quotations, negotiate pricing and terms, and ensure alignment across engineering, operations, quality, supply chain, and finance during product launches.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in automotive or related industries, experience with Ford OEMs preferred, and a strong grasp of

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, or related field.
• Minimum 5+ years automotive or related industry experience.
• Experience with Ford OEM customers and Ford systems preferred.
• Proficiency in MS Office and customer portals/systems.
• Advanced knowledge of automotive manufacturing and commercial practices.
• Strong organizational, analytical, presentation and communication skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead RFQ proposals and develop strategies to support company functions.
• Maintain quotes and coordinate resources for on-time delivery.
• Negotiate pricing and terms with customers and affiliates.
• Review purchase orders and contracts for pricing, tooling, and T&Cs.
• Be the key contact for open issues and drive customer satisfaction.
• Develop presentations that clearly depict the Company and align with department goals.
• Guide cross-functional proposal teams for RFQ proposals for new and expanding business.
• Cultivate accounts to create additional opportunities and identify new product requirements.
• Communicate customer program intentions and strategic direction to internal teams.
• Maintain confidential information related to company strategy.
• Analyze processes to improve efficiency and effectiveness of sales/marketing activities.
• Input into departmental strategic goals with measurable metrics.
• Full-time salary-exempt role reporting to the Sales Manager.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Analytical

Presentation

Interpersonal skills

Fast-paced environment

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business or engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office

Customer portals/systems

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

The Account Manager will serve as the primary commercial liaison between the company and a key automotive OEM customer. This position is responsible for developing the customer relationship, identifying new business opportunities, coordinating RFQs and quotations, negotiating pricing and commercial terms, and ensuring customer expectations are effectively communicated across the organization. The Account Manager will work closely with engineering, operations, quality, supply chain, finance, and program management teams to support product launches, resolve commercial issues, manage engineering changes, and drive profitable account growth. The ideal candidate will have experience working directly with automotive OEMs and a strong understanding of automotive manufacturing, commercial processes, and customer requirements.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for answering the customer’s request for Quotes with proposals for new or expanding business opportunities.
• Lead the company’s approach to targeted product RFQ packages, develop strategies for supporting company functions.
• Maintain quotes, coordinate internal and external resources for on-time delivery.
• Negotiate product and related sales and marketing issues with customers and affiliates.
• Review customer Purchase Orders and other commercial contracts for accuracy of pricing, tooling, and Terms & Conditions prior to signing off and internal submission.
• Key point of contact for current and prospective customer open issues, resolving concerns, and increasing satisfaction as it relates to their function.
• Develop presentations that clearly and professionally depict Company, which is consistent with department objectives.
• Developscreative solutions to differentiate the Company from the competition.
• Guides cross-functional proposal team in developing Request for Quote proposals for new and expanding business.
• Cultivates customer accounts to create additional business opportunities, increase sales revenue, improve margins, and identify new product requirements.
• Investigates, understands, and communicates customer program intentions and strategic direction. Identifies core programs and competitive landscape.
• Maintain highly confidential information sensitive to Company’s business strategy.
• Analyzes current processes and systems. Identifies and implements activities to improve efficiency and effectiveness of sales and marketing activities.
• Provides key input into the development of departmental strategic goals along with identifying key measurables to support the departmental goals.
• This full-time salary-exempt role is a part of our Corporate Sales team and reports to the Sales Manager.

Required experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Engineering, or a related field required.
• Minimum of 5+ years of automotive or related industry experience preferred.
• Experience supporting Ford OEM customers, including familiarity with Ford systems and program requirements, is highly preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and customer portals/systems.
• Advanced knowledge of automotive manufacturing, commercial practices, and customer requirements.
• Ability to navigate and resolve complex or challenging situations effectively.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, presentation and communication skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated leadership capability with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively collaborate and influence others.