Sales Manager

Lear Corporation; Southfield (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Lear Corporation is seeking a Sales Manager at its Southfield, MI World HQ. You will manage key OEM accounts, lead commercial activities, and drive strategic sales initiatives with automotive clients.

You will coordinate with engineering, program management, and manufacturing to ensure successful launches and profitable programs. The role requires strong leadership, excellent communication, and willingness to travel domestically and internationally.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or MBA in a related field.
• 5–8 years of sales/account management in automotive, Tier 1 seating/interior preferred.
• Proven ability to lead negotiations and manage OEM relationships.
• Strong understanding of automotive product development and manufacturing processes.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage assigned OEM accounts (GM, Ford, Stellantis) and align customer requirements with company capabilities.
• Lead pricing negotiations, quote development, and contract discussions; analyze cost structures and support margin improvement.
• Develop and maintain relationships with purchasing, engineering, and program management teams at OEMs; serve as the primary commercial contact.
• Collaborate with engineering, program management, and manufacturing to support launches and lifecycle management of seating programs.
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities with existing and prospective OEM customers; support RFQ processes and track wins.
• Prepare and maintain sales forecasts, revenue projections, and competitive analyses; provide regular leadership reports.

Skills

Account management

Negotiation

Leadership

Communication

Financial acumen

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business/engineering

MBA preferred

Tools

GPSC

Ford WERS/PPAP

MS Office

Job description

Lear For You

We work hard for the people who work for us. We champion our teams and foster collaboration, inclusion, respect and excellence. Because we want to be more for you.

A path to a better career. A better future.

Our teams have invented groundbreaking technologies, manufactured millions of products and earned a long list of awards. Year after year, we’re named one of the World’s Most Admired Companies.

They’re the secret to our success—empowered, inventive and inclusive. Passionate about their craft. Driven to succeed. Because we win together.

Are you ready for a better career? A better future?

Job Description

SALES MANAGER

SOUTHFIELD, MI – WORLD HQ

Job Description

As a Sales Manager at Lear, a Tier 1 supplier of automotive seating systems, you will be responsible for managing and growing customer accounts, leading commercial activities, and driving strategic sales initiatives with OEM clients. You will serve as the primary liaison between the customer and internal cross-functional teams, ensuring strong relationships, profitable programs, and customer satisfaction.

Responsibilities

• Account Management: Manage assigned OEM accounts (e.g., GM, Ford, Stellantis), acting as the voice of the customer internally and ensuring alignment between customer requirements and company capabilities.
• Commercial Leadership: Lead pricing negotiations, quote development, and contract discussions. Analyze cost structures and support margin improvement initiatives.
• Customer Interface: Develop and maintain strong relationships with purchasing, engineering, and program management teams at OEMs. Serve as the first point of contact for commercial topics.
• Program Development Support: Collaborate with internal engineering, program management, and manufacturing teams to support the launch and life‑cycle management of seating programs.
• Business Growth: Identify and pursue new business opportunities with existing and prospective OEM customers. Support the RFQ (Request for Quotation) process and track new business wins.
• Forecasting & Reporting: Prepare and maintain sales forecasts, revenue projections, and competitive analyses. Provide regular reports to leadership on sales performance and market trends.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with product development, operations, purchasing, and finance to ensure program feasibility and cost competitiveness.
• Must be highly organized.
• Must be a self‑starter, highly motivated and also work well in a team environment.
• Possess strong leadership skills.
• Must be able communicate and understand simple finance.
• Possess strong verbal/written communication skills.
• Proficient with MS office software: Word, Excel, PowerPoint. Experience with Project is a plus.
• Willingness and ability to travel for extended periods domestic and international
• Must be able to work in high pace demanding environment
• Must be able to work outside normal business hours

Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Engineering, or related field; MBA preferred.
• Minimum 5–8 years of sales or account management experience in the automotive industry; Tier 1 seating or interior experience strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to lead negotiations and manage OEM customer relationships.
• Strong understanding of automotive product development and manufacturing processes.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• High level of analytical, financial, and strategic thinking ability.
• Willingness to travel as required (up to 25–40%).
• Experience with GM Global Purchasing Systems (GPSC), Ford WERS/PPAP systems, or similar OEM tools.
• Working knowledge of APQP, PPAP, and launch processes in the automotive space.
• Familiarity with lean manufacturing and cost reduction principles.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Lear Corporation is committed to fair, merit‑based employment practices and equal opportunity.

We provide reasonable accommodations in accordance with applicable law.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the country where the position is located. Unsolicited resumes from search firms, employment agencies, or similar, will not be paid a fee and will become the property of Lear Corporation.