Key Account Manager

Tenneco; Plymouth (MI); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Tenneco is seeking a Key Account Manager to serve as the primary interface with strategic automotive customers, driving satisfaction, growth, and alignment across departments. This role involves managing relationships, opportunities, and program execution with cross-functional teams.

The position requires a degree in Engineering, Finance/Economics, or Business Administration, with a preference for 5–8 years in Automotive/Light Vehicles.

Qualifications

• Degree in Engineering, Finance or Economics, or Business Administration, or similar.

Responsibilities

• Act as the single point of contact for assigned OEM automotive customers.
• Manage customer portals and ensure timely, accurate communication of customer requirements and updates.
• Conduct regular customer visits to strengthen relationships and support program development.
• Collaborate with Sales, Application Engineering, Project Management, Manufacturing, Logistics, R&D, and Quality to ensure alignment with customer expectations.
• Support Manufacturing Location Decisions and coordinate customer approvals for transfers of parts to other locations.
• Contribute to annual sales plans and strategic growth initiatives; monitor customer build schedules and market trends.
• Identify new business opportunities and work with Application Engineering to develop tailored solutions.
• Assist in pricing strategy development, cost analysis, and quotation preparation; support contract negotiations.
• Deliver reports on customer interactions, program status, pricing updates, and wins/losses to Sales Support.

Education

Engineering

Finance or Economics

Business Administration

Job description

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At Tenneco, we don’t follow industry standards; we set them, and we don’t settle for being best-in‑class because we hustle to be better than best-in‑class. Whether it’s our Core Values – radical candor, simplify, organizational velocity, tenacious execution and win – or our Get Stuff Done (GSD) mindset, we’re determined to become the most trusted partner and best manufacturer and distributor to the transportation industry.

With a product portfolio as expansive as it is innovative, an obsessive commitment to quality and excellence, and a global presence, we’re all about getting stuff done, so we can win.

How do we make it happen?Through the Tenneco Way. Fueled by our Core Values, a winning mindset and a relentless commitment to excellence, the Tenneco Way is how we win. It’s what keeps Team Tenneco bold, driven, and unapologetically focused on pushing past limits and redefining success.

Here, you’ll work alongside a team of relentless problem-solvers who are committed to making a tangible impact. If you’re ready to break boundaries, deliver results, and enjoy the ride along the way, you’ll thrive here.

Degree in Engineering, Degree in Finance or Economics, Bachelor of Business Administration, or similar

EXPERIENCE:

Preferred 5-8 years in Automotive/Light Vehicles industry

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Key Account Manager serves as the primary interface between Tenneco and strategic automotive customers. This role drives customer satisfaction, business growth, and operational alignment by managing relationships & new business opportunities, supporting program execution, and collaborating across departments within Tenneco.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Act as the single point of contact for assigned OEM automotive customers.
• Serve as key customer contact. Manage customer portals and ensure timely, accurate communication of customer requirements and updates.
• Conduct regular customer visits to strengthen relationships and support program development. Partner with Application Engineering in developing sales strategies for these programs.
• Work closely with Sales, Application Engineering, Project Management, Manufacturing, Logistics, Research & Development, and Quality to ensure alignment with customer expectations.
• Support Manufacturing Location Decisions (MLD) and coordinate customer approvals for the transfer of parts to other locations.
• Contribute to annual sales plans, strategic growth initiatives, and both medium and long-term sales forecasts.
• Monitor and advise the Sales Department and Application Engineering of customer build schedules, new engine programs, and market trends. Ensure these numbers are included in annual sales plans and strategic forecasts.
• Identify new business opportunities and collaborate with Application Engineering to develop tailored solutions.
• Facilitate pricing strategy development, cost analysis, and quotation preparation in coordination with Sales Support.
• Support contract negotiations and maintain documentation for pricing agreements and supply terms.
• Manage special projects and corporate activities such as material recovery, red ink recovery, SOPS, APO and profit enhancement.
• Track competitor pricing, pricing strategies, market activities, and strategic movements. Keep the Sales Department, Research & Development, and Application Engineering informed.
• Provide benchmarking insights to the Sales Director, when appropriate, to support competitive positioning.
• Assist in resolving delivery issues, coordinating manufacturing location decisions, securing customer approvals for part transfers, and other critical customer issues as required.
• Identify cost reduction opportunities in collaboration with Application Engineering and Operations, as appropriate.
• Deliver timely reports on customer interactions, program status, pricing updates, new business awards, threats, and business wins/losses to Sales Support.
• Maintain accurate records of customer requirements, contracts, and internal communications in close collaboration with Sales Support

Equal opportunity employer as to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities