Key Account Manager

AAM - American Axle & Manufacturing; Auburn Hills (MI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Restaurant/Travel allowances

Job summary

Dauch Corporation in Detroit, MI seeks a Key Account Manager to lead relationships with OEMs and Tier 1/2 suppliers across the U.S., driving account strategy and sales growth. You will coordinate with Sales, Applications Engineering, and Ops to develop proposals, forecast sales, and win projects, traveling as needed.

Ideal candidates will have a Bachelor’s degree and at least four years selling to OEM/Tier customers, with strong communication and cross-functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business Management, or engineering-related field.
• Minimum of four years of experience selling products to OEM and/or Tier customers.
• Experience developing effective sales strategies and proposals that win new business.
• General process engineering knowledge and/or industry process knowledge preferred.
• Experience working in cross-functional teams with Applications Engineering and Operations.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications, including Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and reporting tools.
• Excellent oral and written communication, persuasion, diplomacy, and interpersonal skills.
• Creativity to develop project bid alternatives that provide Dauch with a competitive advantage.
• Strong time management and organizational skills.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and within a team environment.
• Occasionally lift and move up to 25 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain relationships with senior buyers, design engineers, and key decision-makers within OEM end users and Tier 1/2 customers.
• Persuade clients that Dauch products and services best meet their needs in terms of quality, price, and delivery.
• Identify targeted projects for Dauch based on client information, customer discussions, and collaboration with Dauch management.
• Prepare sales forecasts and maintain an updated account pipeline for assigned OEM and Tier 1/2 accounts.
• Lead cross-functional teams, including members from other Dauch divisions, in the development of customer proposals.
• Assemble and submit professional, high-quality proposals that position Dauch competitively to win project awards.
• Establish project strategy in collaboration with the Director of Sales, Applications Engineering, and management.
• Negotiate tender, contract terms, and conditions to meet both client and company objectives while adhering to Dauch’s risk management guidelines.
• Provide clear, accurate, and timely customer feedback to Dauch management regarding opportunities, concerns, and emerging issues.
• Foster effective internal communication regarding customers, products, and services to maximize sales effectiveness.
• Participate in relevant trade shows, conferences, and other marketing events.
• Develop professional sales presentations tailored to customer needs and requirements.
• Collaborate with sales team members and cross-functional departments/divisions to ensure effective communication and support for OEM and Tier customer accounts.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of Dauch products, industry trends, and market developments.
• Maintain current OEM organizational charts related to purchasing, engineering, and manufacturing functions.
• Understand the competitive landscape, including Dauch competitors and project-specific competitive considerations.
• Manage travel expenses in accordance with company policy guidelines.
• Execute and achieve annual individual and team sales targets established by the Sr. Director of Sales.
• All other duties as assigned.

Skills

Sales experience

OEM/Tier account management

Cross-functional collaboration

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

CRM software

MS 365 / PowerPoint

Job description

Key Account Manager

Job Description Summary

The Key Account Manager will be responsible for calling on key OEM accounts and Tiers 1/2, identifying and developing market opportunities, establishing, and managing relationships with OEM customers throughout the U.S. They are the key point of contact for clients and provide both pre-sales and after-sales support.

Job Description

• Establish and maintain relationships with senior buyers, design engineers, and key decision-makers within OEM end users and Tier 1/2 customers.
• Persuade clients that Dauch products and services best meet their needs in terms of quality, price, and delivery.
• Identify targeted projects for Dauch based on client information, customer discussions, and collaboration with Dauch management.
• Prepare sales forecasts and maintain an updated account pipeline for assigned OEM and Tier 1/2 accounts.
• Lead cross-functional teams, including members from other Dauch divisions, in the development of customer proposals.
• Assemble and submit professional, high-quality proposals that position Dauch competitively to win project awards.
• Establish project strategy in collaboration with the Director of Sales, Applications Engineering, and management.
• Negotiate tender, contract terms, and conditions to meet both client and company objectives while adhering to Dauch’s risk management guidelines.
• Provide clear, accurate, and timely customer feedback to Dauch management regarding opportunities, concerns, and emerging issues.
• Foster effective internal communication regarding customers, products, and services to maximize sales effectiveness.
• Participate in relevant trade shows, conferences, and other marketing events.
• Develop professional sales presentations tailored to customer needs and requirements.
• Collaborate with sales team members and cross-functional departments/divisions to ensure effective communication and support for OEM and Tier customer accounts.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of Dauch products, industry trends, and market developments.
• Maintain current OEM organizational charts related to purchasing, engineering, and manufacturing functions.
• Understand the competitive landscape, including Dauch competitors and project-specific competitive considerations.
• Manage travel expenses in accordance with company policy guidelines.
• Execute and achieve annual individual and team sales targets established by the Sr. Director of Sales.
• All other duties as assigned.

Required Skills and Education

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferred major in Finance, Business Management, or engineering related role.
• Minimum of four years of experience selling products to OEM and/or Tier customers required.
• Experience developing effective sales strategies and proposals that successfully win new business.
• General process engineering knowledge and/or industry process knowledge preferred.
• Experience working in cross-functional teams with Applications Engineering and Operations to support product applications and project execution preferred.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications, including Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and reporting tools.
• Excellent oral and written communication, persuasion, diplomacy, and interpersonal skills.
• Creativity to develop project bid alternatives that provide Dauch with a competitive advantage.
• Strong time management and organizational skills.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and within a team environment.
• While performing the duties of this position, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, and use hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

About Dauch

Dauch Corporation is a premier Driveline and Metal Forming supplier serving the global automotive industry with a powertrain-agnostic product portfolio that supports electric, hybrid, and internal combustion vehicles. The company is headquartered in Detroit, MI, with operations that span 24 countries and more than 175 locations. Formed through the acquisition of Dowlais Group plc and its subsidiaries - GKN Automotive and GKN Powder Metallurgy, Dauch unites deep engineering roots with global manufacturing capabilities and an entrepreneurial spirit to move mobility forward. Visit www.dauch.com to learn more.

Dauch will not discriminate against any Associate or applicant for employment because of age, race, color, gender, religion, weight, height, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic history or information, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, national origin, or other characteristic protected by law. Dauch will take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed, and that Associates are treated equally during employment, without regard to their age, race, color, gender, religion, weight, height, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic history or information, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, national origin, or other characteristic protected by law. For the Disabled Job Seeker: We offer reasonable accommodations for qualified disabled individuals who are applicants for employment. To request assistance or accommodations, please e-mail [e-mail]. Dauch is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.