Key Account Manager

YER USA; Livonia (MI); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental

Retirement plan

Job summary

YER USA is seeking a seasoned Key Account Manager - Automotive to strengthen OEM relationships and drive new business in the U.S. market, with emphasis on American and Asian manufacturers.

The role requires navigating long program cycles, strategic pricing, and contract negotiations within a global matrix organization. Based in Metro Detroit with hybrid work availability, the candidate will coordinate with U.S., Mexican, and German leadership and manufacturing operations, traveling ~50% as

Qualifications

• 5+ years in automotive sales or key account management with OEMs.
• Experience selling directly to automotive OEMs and managing long cycles.
• Proven ability to develop strategic account plans and win new business.
• Existing relationships with American and/or Asian OEMs preferred.

Responsibilities

• Drive new business development with automotive OEMs, focusing on American and Asian OEMs.
• Build and expand relationships with OEM purchasing, engineering, and other decision-makers.
• Develop and execute strategic plans to win new vehicle programs and grow market share.
• Lead long, complex OEM sales cycles spanning 2-3 years from opportunity to production.
• Lead RFQ/RFP activity, pricing strategy, negotiations, and customer presentations.
• Identify customer needs and translate them into viable opportunities with internal teams.
• Coordinate with manufacturing in Mexico for U.S.-won programs.
• Collaborate with sales, engineering, operations, quality, and leadership across regions.
• Monitor performance, market trends, and opportunities; provide regular forecasts to leadership.
• Represent the company as the primary commercial contact for assigned/prospective OEMs.

Skills

Automotive sales

Key account management

New business development

OEM relationships

Strategic account planning

Pricing & contract negotiations

RFQ/RFP process

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Engineering/Marketing

Job description

KEY ACCOUNT MANAGER - AUTOMOTIVE

Metro Detroit, MI preferred (Hybrid) | Open to other U.S. automotive OEM hubs (Remote)

COMPANY

The company is a globally recognized manufacturer and leading supplier of premium alloy wheels to the automotive industry. With approximately $1.4 billion in worldwide revenue, the company partners with major global OEMs and is known for innovation, quality, design excellence, and advanced wheel technology. The company's U.S. HQ is located in Livonia, MI.

JOB DESCRIPTION

As Key Account Manager - Automotive, you will be responsible for strengthening existing OEM relationships while driving new business growth, with a particular focus on American and Asian automotive manufacturers. This is a commercially focused role for an experienced automotive supplier sales professional who understands complex OEM sales processes, long program cycles, strategic pricing, and contract negotiations. You will operate within the company's global matrix organization and work closely with the U.S. President, German leadership, and manufacturing operations in Mexico.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Drive new business development with automotive OEMs, with priority targets of American and Asian OEMs.
• Build, maintain, and expand long-term relationships with OEM purchasing, engineering, and other key decision-makers.
• Develop and execute strategic account and growth plans to win new vehicle programs and increase market penetration.
• Manage long, complex OEM sales cycles, typically spanning 2-3 years from initial opportunity through program award and production.
• Lead RFQ/RFP activity, pricing strategy, commercial negotiations, contract discussions, and customer presentations.
• Identify customer needs and translate them into commercially and technically viable opportunities in collaboration with internal teams.
• Coordinate closely with manufacturing operations in Mexico, where U.S.-won OEM programs are generally produced and invoiced.
• Collaborate cross-functionally and internationally with sales, engineering, operations, quality, and leadership teams across the U.S., Mexico, Germany, and the broader global organization.
• Monitor account performance, market trends, competitive activity, and new program opportunities, providing regular updates and forecasts to leadership.
• Represent the company as a trusted commercial partner and primary point of contact for assigned and prospective OEM customers.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

• 5+ years of automotive sales, key account management, or business development experience within an automotive supplier/manufacturer environment.
• Proven experience selling directly to automotive OEMs.
• Demonstrated new business development/hunter capability in addition to strategic account management experience.
• Strong understanding of automotive OEM sales processes, RFQs, pricing, contracts, negotiations, and long program cycles.
• Experience developing strategic account plans and winning new business or vehicle programs.
• Existing relationships with American and/or Asian OEMs are highly preferred.
• Wheel industry experience is ideal; candidates from other Tier 1/Tier 2 automotive suppliers are also highly relevant, particularly in chassis, structural, exterior, metal, or related component categories.
• Experience coordinating between OEM customers and manufacturing operations is strongly valued.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, presentation, and relationship-building skills with the ability to operate effectively in a global matrix organization.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Marketing, or a related field preferred.
• Willingness to travel approximately 50%.

LOCATION & REPORTING

• Metro Detroit, MI area preferred, with a hybrid work setup (office is in Livonia, MI).
• Candidates located in other major U.S. automotive OEM hubs, including Greenville, SC; Atlanta, GA; and similar markets, may also be considered.
• Reports to the President USA and works closely with leadership in Germany.
• Part of a global matrix organization with Key Account Managers located across multiple countries.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Strong base salary + approximately 20% target bonus, based on specific KPIs.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and retirement plans.
• Opportunity to join an established global automotive manufacturer in a highly visible, growth-focused role with significant international collaboration.