TECHNICAL SALES ENGINEER

Taiho Manufacturing of Tennessee LLC; Gordonsville (TN); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Taiho Manufacturing of Tennessee LLC is seeking an experienced sales leader to drive end-to-end activities from lead generation to production launch for automotive customers. You will build and maintain OEM/Tier 1 relationships, coordinate with global teams, and lead RFQs, negotiations, and project startups.

This on-site role requires Japanese language skills and collaboration with engineering, manufacturing, and IT to deliver successful product launches.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Technology, or related field.
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Responsibilities

• Manage sales activities from lead generation through award and production launch.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with OEM and Tier 1 automotive customers to ensure high levels of customer satisfaction.
• Coordinate and translate sales activities with company leadership, OEM’s and overseas sales and engineering teams.
• Lead customer RFQ’s, prepare quotations, negotiate pricing and timing, and support contract discussions.
• Initiate and manage projects from quotation through production start-up.
• Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and purchasing teams, including OEM, overseas and local teams to ensure successful product launches.
• Support product development, prototype builds, sample orders, and engineering/process changes.
• Lead/Implement ERP, Microsoft 365, Power BI, AI, Excel, Access databases, and data analytics tools to manage customer information, monitor opportunities, and improve decision-making.
• Analyze market trends, customer requirements, and competitive activity to identify new business opportunities and develop sales strategies.
• Maintain customer records and serve as the primary customer contact and customer service for assigned accounts.
• Lead and translate customer meetings, industry events, and travel as required to support business development and account management.
• On-site and OEM liaison for outsourced IT and cybersecurity.
• Develop sales strategy for future business as well as existing business
• Support plant staff with major engineering/process changes as required
• This is an on-site position at the Company’s facility and may require occasional travel.
• Maintains customer files and acts as Customer Service representative for all customer bases.
• Lead continuous improvement and digital transformation initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Negotiation

Customer focus

Cross-team collaboration

Project management

Japanese translation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Business/Technology

Tools

Microsoft 365 (Excel/Access)

ERP systems

Power BI

AI analytics tools

Job description

• Manage sales activities from lead generation through award and production launch.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with OEM and Tier 1 automotive customers to ensure high levels of customer satisfaction.
• Coordinate and translate sales activities with company leadership, OEM’s and overseas sales and engineering teams.
• Lead customer RFQ’s, prepare quotations, negotiate pricing and timing, and support contract discussions.
• Initiate and manage projects from quotation through production start-up.
• Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and purchasing teams, including OEM, overseas and local teams to ensure successful product launches.
• Support product development, prototype builds, sample orders, and engineering/process changes.
• Lead/Implement ERP, Microsoft 365, Power BI, AI, Excel, Access databases, and data analytics tools to manage customer information, monitor opportunities, and improve decision-making.
• Analyze market trends, customer requirements, and competitive activity to identify new business opportunities and develop sales strategies.
• Maintain customer records and serve as the primary customer contact and customer service for assigned accounts.
• Lead and translate customer meetings, industry events, and travel as required to support business development and account management.
• On-site and OEM liaison for outsourced IT and cybersecurity.
• Develop sales strategy for future business as well as existing business
• Support plant staff with major engineering/process changes as required
• This is an on-site position at the Company’s facility and may require occasional travel.
• Maintains customer files and acts as Customer Service representative for all customer bases.
• Lead continuous improvement and digital transformation initiatives.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Technology, or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in automotive manufacturing, metal stamping, technical sales, or a related industry preferred.
• Strong understanding of automotive manufacturing processes and customer requirements preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 to include Excel and Access databases, ERP systems, data management, and business intelligence tools.
• Experience using AI, analytics, and reporting tools to support preferred business decisions.
• Japanese language skills are required.

Job Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent leadership, communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• Strong customer focus with the ability to build long-term business relationships.
• Ability to work effectively with domestic and international teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and commitment to continuous improvement.
• Act as Company Japanese/English translator as required to conduct business.

Training Requirements

• All OSHA required Training,
• Quality
• EHS
• Any Customer Specific Training for the global OEMs

Physical Demands:

• Majority of time sitting at a desk utilizing a computer.
• May require walking to and from shop floor to review products, processes or orders.
• Some lifting between 25-50 lbs occasionally

Personal Protective Equipment

• All PPE required in the facility at the different work areas.
• Typical office environment with high emphasis on shop floor manufacturing environment. Good lighting and temperature controlled.

Will be required to perform other duties as requested, directed or assigned.