Key Account Manager

LG; Troy (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

LG Chem Uniseal is seeking a seasoned Key Account Manager to lead and grow strategic automotive OEM and Tier 1 customer relationships. You will act as the primary commercial contact, drive profitable growth, and coordinate cross-functional efforts with engineering, quality, and operations.

The ideal candidate has a strong automotive sales background, deep knowledge of OEM processes, and readiness to manage complex customer programs with travel as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Marketing, or related field.
• 7+ years in automotive OEM/Tier 1 or related industrial sales and account management.
• Experience managing strategic customer accounts and leading commercial activities.
• Strong knowledge of OEM processes and launch management.
• Ability to travel as required.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary commercial contact for OEM and Tier 1 accounts.
• Develop account strategies and lead customer reviews and executive communications.
• Lead negotiations, pricing discussions, and contract reviews.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams for launches and programs.
• Monitor satisfaction and drive long-term growth opportunities.

Skills

Strategic Account Management

Sales Leadership

Negotiation

Cross-functional Collaboration

Customer Relationship Management

Presentation Skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Marketing, or related field

Tools

CRM systems

Job description

Position Summary

LG Chem Uniseal is seeking an experienced Key Account Manager to lead and grow strategic automotive OEM and Tier 1 customer accounts. This role serves as the primary commercial representative for assigned customers and is responsible for developing long-term customer relationships, driving profitable growth, managing commercial activities, and coordinating cross-functional efforts to support customer programs.

The successful candidate will possess a strong background in automotive sales and account management, along with a solid understanding of OEM organizations, vehicle development cycles, and manufacturing operations. This individual must be capable of independently managing complex customer relationships, leading commercial discussions, identifying growth opportunities, and serving as a trusted business partner to both customers and internal stakeholders.

Essential Responsibilities

Key Account Management

• Serve as the primary commercial contact for assigned OEM and Tier 1 customer accounts.
• Establish and maintain strategic relationships with customer decision-makers and influencers across purchasing, engineering, manufacturing, quality, program management, and leadership functions.
• Develop and execute account strategies that support customer objectives and company growth initiatives.
• Lead customer business reviews, strategic planning discussions, and executive-level communications.
• Proactively identify opportunities to expand existing business and secure new program awards.
• Monitor customer satisfaction and ensure timely resolution of commercial and operational issues.

Business Development & Commercial Leadership

• Achieve annual sales, profitability, and growth objectives for assigned accounts.
• Lead commercial negotiations, pricing discussions, contract reviews, and business proposals.
• Develop and execute account growth strategies to support long-term business expansion.
• Analyze customer requirements, market trends, and competitive activities to identify new opportunities.
• Present Uniseal's technologies, capabilities, and value propositions to customers and internal stakeholders.
• Support business case development for new products, applications, and market opportunities.

Customer Program & Technical Support

• Work closely with customers to understand technical requirements, product specifications, and performance expectations.
• Coordinate with Engineering, R&D, Quality, Operations, and Supply Chain teams to support new product launches and production programs.
• Serve as the voice of the customer within the organization and advocate for customer needs while balancing business objectives.
• Support program execution, issue resolution, and customer communications throughout the product lifecycle.
• Maintain a strong understanding of Uniseal's products, technologies, manufacturing capabilities, and industry applications.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Lead internal cross-functional teams to support customer programs and business objectives.
• Coordinate company resources to ensure customer commitments related to quality, delivery, cost, and service are achieved.
• Communicate customer priorities, market intelligence, and business opportunities to leadership and key stakeholders.
• Partner with Finance, Operations, Engineering, Quality, and R&D teams to support strategic planning and decision-making.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives that enhance customer satisfaction and operational performance.

Strategic Market Analysis

• Monitor automotive industry trends, OEM initiatives, emerging technologies, and competitive developments.
• Evaluate opportunities for business growth within existing and prospective customer accounts.
• Provide strategic recommendations regarding market conditions, customer trends, and competitive positioning.
• Support long-term business planning and sales strategy development.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Marketing, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in automotive OEM, Tier 1, specialty chemicals, adhesives, manufacturing, or related industrial sales and account management.
• Proven success managing strategic customer accounts and achieving business growth objectives.
• Experience serving as the primary commercial contact for customers and leading customer-facing business activities.
• Strong understanding of automotive OEM organizations, purchasing processes, vehicle development cycles, and launch management.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with customer stakeholders at multiple organizational levels.
• Experience coordinating cross-functional teams to support customer requirements and business objectives.
• Strong communication, presentation, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to analyze customer needs and develop strategic account plans.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and CRM systems.
• Ability and willingness to travel as required to support customer needs.

Preferred Qualifications

• 10+ years of automotive OEM or Tier 1 account management experience.
• Experience supporting adhesives, sealants, coatings, plastics, engineered materials, or related technical products.
• Established relationships within automotive OEM or Tier 1 organizations.
• Experience leading commercial activities associated with new business pursuits, vehicle launches, and strategic growth initiatives.
• MBA or advanced technical degree.
• Experience working in a global manufacturing environment.

Core Competencies

• Strategic Account Management
• Business Development
• Commercial Negotiation
• Customer Relationship Management
• Automotive Industry Knowledge
• Leadership and Influence
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Technical Aptitude
• Project Management
• Problem Solving and Decision Making
• Results Orientation

Why Join LG Chem Uniseal?

• Lead strategic relationships with major automotive OEM and Tier 1 customers.
• Influence business growth and support innovative automotive technologies.
• Collaborate with experienced leaders across sales, engineering, manufacturing, quality, and R&D.
• Participate in high-profile customer programs and vehicle launches.
• Competitive compensation and benefits package.
• Opportunities for professional growth within a global organization.
• Ability to make a meaningful impact on customer success and company performance.

Work Environment

This position requires regular interaction with office, laboratory, and manufacturing environments as well as customer locations. Team members may occasionally be exposed to manufacturing conditions including moving equipment, noise, fumes, dust, temperature variations, and other production-related conditions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

LG Chem Uniseal is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to any status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

At this time, we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without current or future employer sponsorship.

This includes, but is not limited to, individuals requiring sponsorship for employment-based visas such as H-1B, TN, E-3, O-1, J-1, L-1, F-1 OPT/STEM OPT sponsorship, or any other work authorization requiring employer sponsorship.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.