Key Account Manager

VDL Industries Gainesville; Pontiac (MI); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k)

Professional growth opportunities

Job summary

VDL Industries Gainesville seeks a Key Account Manager based in Pontiac, Michigan, to drive strategic relationships with Automotive OEMs. This role involves managing customer accounts, supporting proposal development, and ensuring satisfaction throughout the project lifecycle.

Applicants should have a strong background in business-to-business sales, preferably in the automotive sector, alongside a 4-year degree in a related field. The position offers a competitive salary, benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 8 years of experience in sales, business development, or account management.
• Experience selling complex technical solutions or capital equipment preferred.
• Automotive OEM or Tier 1 supplier experience strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage and grow assigned key customer accounts with a strategic focus.
• Act as the primary point of contact for customer business development.
• Develop account strategies and growth plans for key customers.

Skills

Business-to-business sales

Key account management

Communication skills

Negotiation skills

Understanding of automated production systems

Familiarity with CRM systems

Education

4-year degree in Business or Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Overview

Are you a relationship‑driven business professional with a strong commercial mindset and deep understanding of complex industrial or automotive environments? Do customers see you as a trusted partner who understands their business, technical challenges, and long‑term goals? Do you thrive on building strategic relationships, driving new revenue, and growing key accounts? If so, the Key Account Manager position with VDL Steelweld, USA headquarters in Pontiac, Michigan, may be the right opportunity for you.

About Us

VDL Steelweld is a diverse, versatile, international company established in 1965 actively involved in Automated Production Systems, Special Products, Automated Guided Vehicles and Parking Systems. The company is headquartered in the Netherlands with branches in the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, China and we are not done yet!

Our primary competencies include processing, designing, producing and installing robotic production systems offering a wide range of handling, assembly and joining technologies for industrial applications. We are a first‑tier supplier for car manufacturing OEMs around the world. Our product lines are as varied and diverse as our people. We produce products, ranging from complex mechatronic systems to robotics to large welded constructions. Together with more than 500 high‑energy, motivated staff members, VDL Steelweld delivers projects, products and services to satisfied customers across a wide variety of industries all around the world.

What It Takes

The Key Account Manager is responsible for developing, maintaining, and expanding strategic customer relationships with Automotive OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and selected non‑automotive customers. This role focuses on business development, customer satisfaction, long‑term account growth, and coordination between the customer and internal VDL Steelweld teams.

The Key Account Manager works closely with engineering, project management, estimating, and global VDL Steelweld teams to ensure customer requirements are clearly understood and translated into competitive technical and commercial proposals.

Duties Include

• Managing and growing assigned key customer accounts with a long‑term strategic focus
• Acting as the primary point of contact for customer commercial and business‑development matters
• Developing account strategies, growth plans, and opportunity pipelines for each key customer
• Identifying and pursuing new business opportunities within existing accounts and new target customers
• Coordinating customer RFQs, proposal development, and internal cross‑functional alignment
• Supporting commercial negotiations on pricing, scope, timing, and contractual terms
• Maintaining close collaboration with engineering and project management teams during pre‑award and execution phases
• Managing customer expectations and communication throughout the sales and project lifecycle
• Monitoring customer satisfaction and addressing concerns proactively
• Representing VDL Steelweld at customer meetings, supplier days, trade shows, and industry events
• Supporting global coordination with VDL Steelweld headquarters and international locations when applicable

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Business‑to‑business sales and key account management in industrial or automotive environments
• Strong understanding of automated production systems and manufacturing processes
• Ability to manage complex, long‑cycle sales processes involving multiple stakeholders
• Commercial and financial insight, including pricing, margins, and cost drivers
• Understanding of OEM and Tier 1 purchasing, sourcing, and supplier qualification processes
• Strong communication, negotiation, and presentation skills
• Ability to build trust and credibility with technical and executive‑level customer contacts
• Experience working with cross‑functional internal teams in a matrix organization
• Familiarity with CRM systems and Microsoft Office tools

Education and Experience

• 4‑year degree in Business, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in sales, business development, or account management
• Experience selling complex technical solutions, automation systems, or capital equipment preferred
• Automotive OEM or Tier 1 supplier experience strongly preferred

Work Context

• Customer‑focused, relationship‑driven mindset
• Proactive, self‑starter with a strong sense of ownership
• Entrepreneurial approach to account growth and opportunity development
• Strong organizational and time‑management skills
• Comfortable operating in a fast‑paced, project‑driven environment
• Willingness to travel as required to support customers and business development activities

What We Have To Offer

• Professional, cooperative, and dynamic working environment
• Opportunities for professional growth and development within a global organization
• Competitive salary and total compensation package
• Benefits including medical, dental, vision, short‑ and long‑term disability, life insurance, accident insurance, and 401(k)

Note: Drug test and background check are required.