Key Account Manager (Automotive)

Balluff Inc.; Sterling Heights (MI); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company vehicle

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) match

Paid time off

Training and development

Collaborative work environment

Job summary

Balluff Inc. is seeking a Key Account Manager (KAM), Automotive, to drive strategic growth in the automotive vertical.

The role focuses on developing and managing relationships with key global automotive customers, identifying new business opportunities, and aligning sales strategies with Balluff’s long-term goals. The position requires leading global activities for key accounts, building development strategies, and collaborating with Sales, Marketing, and Business Development teams to execute

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 7–10 years of successful technical sales and key account management experience, ideally in the automotive industry.
• Proven track record in vertical market development and strategic selling.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Proficiency with MS Office and CRM/opportunity management tools.

Responsibilities

• Achieve corporate sales objectives within the automotive market.
• Drive growth at assigned key accounts and develop account-specific strategies.
• Identify focus plants and integrators, and create development strategies for each.
• Lead global business activities for key accounts, including gold sheet planning and playbook development.
• Document decision makers and drivers at key accounts and build an opportunity pipeline.
• Develop and close capital projects, ensuring they’re tracked in the opportunity funnel.
• Collaborate with Sales, Marketing, and Business Development teams to execute strategies.
• Work effectively across a matrixed, global organization and virtual teams.
• Maintain product specifications and account-level requirements across product lines.
• Stay current on market trends, competitor strategies, and customer needs.
• Represent Balluff in industry associations and help shape industry specifications.
• Partner with Marketing to execute campaigns targeting key accounts.
• Share industry knowledge with internal teams to support broader account success.
• Support other sales personnel across North America to drive wins and strategic growth.

Skills

Technical sales

Key account management

Automotive industry experience

Presentation skills

CRM software

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

MS Office

CRM systems

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Michigan Office - Sterling Heights, MI 48314 Position Type: Full-Time Education Level: 4 Year Degree Travel Percentage: Up to 50% Job Shift: Day Job Category: Sales Engineering

Balluff is a global leader in sensor technology and industrial automation. We are committed to helping our customers improve efficiency, reduce downtime, and advance digitalization through innovative automation solutions. Join a company where your ideas matter and your impact is real.

Position Summary

We are seeking a Key Account Manager (KAM), Automotive to drive strategic growth in our automotive vertical. This role is responsible for developing and managing relationships with key global automotive customers, identifying new business opportunities, and aligning sales strategies with Balluff’s long-term goals.

What You’ll Do

• Achieve corporate sales objectives within the automotive market
• Drive growth at assigned key accounts and develop account-specific strategies
• Identify focus plants and integrators, and create development strategies for each
• Lead global business activities for key accounts, including gold sheet planning and playbook development
• Document decision makers and drivers at key accounts and build an opportunity pipeline
• Develop and close capital projects, ensuring they’re tracked in the opportunity funnel
• Collaborate with Sales, Marketing, and Business Development teams to execute strategies
• Work effectively across a matrixed, global organization and virtual teams
• Maintain product specifications and account-level requirements across product lines
• Stay current on market trends, competitor strategies, and customer needs
• Represent Balluff in industry associations and help shape industry specifications
• Partner with Marketing to execute campaigns targeting key accounts
• Share industry knowledge with internal teams to support broader account success
• Support other sales personnel across North America to drive wins and strategic growth

Why Join Balluff?

• Competitive base salary + incentive program
• Company vehicle
• Comprehensive benefits package (medical, dental, vision, 401(k) match)
• Paid time off and holidays
• Training, development, and advancement opportunities
• Collaborative, innovative work environment

Balluff is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

QualificationsWhat You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree required
• 7–10 years of successful technical sales and key account management experience, ideally in the automotive industry
• Proven track record in vertical market development and strategic selling
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills
• Proficiency with MS Office and CRM/opportunity management tools
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to influence cross-functional and global teams
• Wilingness to travel up to 50%
• Based in Detroit preferred; other remote locations may be considered