Key Account Manager – Japanese OEM Accounts

EFTEC North America LLC; Taylor (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

EFTEC North America LLC in Taylor, MI is seeking an experienced Key Account Manager to manage and grow strategic relationships with Japanese automotive OEM customers. You will lead commercial interfaces, pricing, RFQs, and long-term account strategy, coordinating with North American and global teams.

Fluency in Japanese and English is required. A technical background with a chemistry/engineering degree and 5+ years in sales or KAM, plus ability to travel about 25%, are highly valued.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical/business discipline.
• 5+ years of sales or key account management experience.
• Fluent Japanese and English.
• Automotive OEM/Tier 1 experience preferred.
• Experience supporting Japanese OEM customers preferred.
• Strong commercial negotiation and relationship-management skills.
• Knowledge of APQP and PPAP.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute business strategies for assigned Japanese OEM accounts.
• Build strong relationships with customer purchasing, engineering, quality, manufacturing, and leadership teams.
• Drive year-over-year sales and operating income growth.
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities.
• Lead commercial negotiations, pricing activities, RFQs, and customer business reviews.
• Develop short- and long-term sales forecasts.
• Coordinate customer requirements with EFTEC's North American and global teams.
• Support new program launches and automotive processes including APQP and PPAP.
• Partner with Technical Service, R&D, Operations, Quality, Logistics, and other internal functions.
• Manage customer portals and ensure timely follow-up on customer requirements and concerns.

Skills

Fluent Japanese

Fluent English

Negotiation

Relationship management

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related technical/business discipline

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft Word

Job description

Key Account Manager - Japanese OEM Accounts

EFTEC North America LLC | Taylor, MI

EFTEC North America LLC is a leading expert in engineered materials and application systems for bonding, coating, sealing, and damping in the automotive industry. Fully dedicated to the international transportation sector, the company has been part of the globally active EMS Group since 1985 and operates under the EFTEC brand as a key supplier of adhesives, sealants, coatings, and application equipment. EFTEC’s market position is built on custom-designed products, high quality, and reliable service. The company is committed to innovation across product formulation, performance, application, and environmental compatibility, including manufacturing, use, and recycling. Team members join a culture focused on continuous improvement, technical excellence, and sustainable solutions for automotive customers worldwide.

EFTEC North America is seeking an experienced Key Account Manager to manage and grow strategic relationships with our Japanese automotive OEM customers.

This position will serve as a primary commercial interface between EFTEC and assigned Japanese OEM accounts, supporting business development, customer relationships, pricing and negotiations, new program launches, and long-term account strategy.

Fluency in Japanese and English is required.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute business strategies for assigned Japanese OEM accounts.
• Build strong relationships with customer purchasing, engineering, quality, manufacturing, and leadership teams.
• Drive year-over-year sales and operating income growth.
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities.
• Lead commercial negotiations, pricing activities, RFQs, and customer business reviews.
• Develop short- and long-term sales forecasts.
• Coordinate customer requirements with EFTEC's North American and global teams.
• Support new program launches and automotive processes including APQP and PPAP.
• Partner with Technical Service, R&D, Operations, Quality, Logistics, and other internal functions.
• Manage customer portals and ensure timely follow-up on customer requirements and concerns.

These responsibilities align with EFTEC's existing KAM role, including account strategy, sales growth, forecasting, customer relationship management, profitability, and cross-functional coordination.

Qualifications

• Fluent Japanese and English – REQUIRED
• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or an appropriate technical/business discipline.
• Minimum 5 years of sales or key account management experience.
• Automotive OEM/Tier 1 experience strongly preferred.
• Experience supporting Japanese OEM customers strongly preferred.
• Strong commercial negotiation and relationship-management skills.
• Knowledge of APQP, PPAP, program launches, and automotive customer requirements preferred.
• Strong technical aptitude and ability to translate customer needs into solutions.
• Strong Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word skills.
• Ability to travel approximately 25%.

The underlying EFTEC description requires a relevant bachelor's degree, five years of sales experience, technical/materials knowledge, project management skills, Microsoft Office proficiency, and up to 25% travel.

Work Environment

Onsite in Taylor, MI

Why EFTEC?

This is an opportunity to take ownership of strategically important Japanese OEM relationships while working across EFTEC's North American and global organization. We are looking for someone who can successfully bridge language, business culture, technical requirements, and commercial strategy to strengthen existing relationships and develop new business.

Japanese language fluency is an essential requirement for this role.

EFTEC North America is an Equal Opportunity Employer.