AUTOMOTIVE ACCOUNT MANAGER JOB DESCRIPTION

When a supplier misreads a customer's sourcing roadmap, pricing collapses and program awards go elsewhere. Automotive Account Managers carry commercial and technical accountability for defined OEM and Tier 1 accounts, from RFQ through design win to production launch, keeping revenue exposure and customer escalations from compounding into program losses. The role demands fluency in both contract negotiation and manufacturing process economics. Winning in this seat means holding credibility across Purchasing, Engineering, and C-level stakeholders simultaneously.

As the Automotive Account Manager, you drive profit and revenue outcomes for a defined portfolio of OEM and Tier 1 supplier accounts, owning sourcing agreements, pricing strategy, and new business acquisition from pursuit through award. You operate within a cross-functional commercial and engineering structure, coordinating closely with cost estimating, product management, and plant teams to deliver on program commitments and customer expectations.

Career Impact: Deep exposure to OEM sourcing cycles and Tier 1 commercial negotiations builds the kind of market credibility that accelerates progression toward Regional Sales Director or Global Account Director roles.

Business Impact: The accounts you manage directly determine which programs get awarded and renewed - a poorly managed book of business translates into lost design wins and margin erosion that affects the entire business unit.

Growth Opportunity: Managing the Annual Operating Planning process and new business acquisition cases develops financial modeling and program economics skills that open doors to strategic roles in sales leadership or business development.

• Develop and execute account-level sales strategies targeting OEM Purchasing, Engineering, and executive stakeholders to secure new program awards.
• Own profit and revenue responsibility for a defined book of business, including pricing, cost optimization, and margin performance.
• Prepare detailed quotations and negotiate product, tooling, and development costs in accordance with established commercial guidelines.
• Create, negotiate, and maintain customer sourcing agreements and related contractual documents for new and existing programs.
• Coordinate with cost estimating, manufacturing, and engineering teams to support successful program launches and manage open commercial issues.
• Monitor customer cost reduction and materials programs to optimize short- and long-term account positioning.
• Represent the organization on technical and commercial matters at customer facilities, plants, and supplier locations.
• Provide leadership with timely market intelligence on customer activities, competitive dynamics, and emerging industry trends.

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• 3 or more years of automotive industry experience, with demonstrated involvement in customer-facing commercial or program management roles.
• Proven ability to manage complex negotiations with OEM or Tier 1 Purchasing and Engineering contacts at multiple organizational levels.
• Experience developing and implementing strategic account or sales plans with measurable revenue outcomes.
• Strong financial and analytical aptitude, including the ability to build business cases and interpret program profitability data.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation communication skills, with confidence engaging executive and C-level audiences.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent programs with strict attention to commercial detail and internal approval processes.
• Willingness and ability to travel to customer locations, manufacturing plants, and supplier sites as required.

• Prior experience selling engineered materials, electronic systems, or semiconductor solutions into automotive OEM or Tier 1 accounts.
• Familiarity with automotive program lifecycle milestones including concept phase, RFI/RFQ, design win, and production launch.
• Established relationships with OEM Purchasing or Engineering decision-makers in the North American or European automotive market.
• Experience coordinating Annual Operating Planning or cost roadmap activities across cross-functional commercial and operations teams.

• Program award rate, measuring the share of pursued RFQs converted to sourcing agreements.
• Account revenue versus Annual Operating Plan, tracking budget attainment across the managed portfolio.
• Pricing realization rate, reflecting how closely negotiated contract pricing aligns with established cost and margin targets.
• Days outstanding on open commercial issues including purchase orders, tooling payments, and past-due receivables.
• New business pipeline value, measuring the dollar volume of active pursuits at each stage of the commercial process.
• Typical tools: CRM platforms (commonly Salesforce or Siebel); spreadsheet and presentation software (commonly Excel, PowerPoint).

• Base Salary Range: $95,000 to $135,000 annually, depending on experience and account scope
• Bonus: Annual performance bonus, typically 10 to 20% of base tied to revenue and program targets
• Equity: Not standard at this level; may apply at senior or director grade
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage; employer contribution varies by company
• PTO: 15 to 20 days annually, plus standard US federal holidays
• Common Perks: Auto allowance or company vehicle, mileage reimbursement, travel expense coverage

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Background checks, including verification of employment history and, where applicable, credit history relevant to commercial responsibilities, are a condition of employment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities are available upon request throughout the hiring process. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.

The Automotive Account Manager delivers growth by prospecting for new business, securing orders from existing and potential customers, and maintaining relationships across Purchasing, Engineering, and Manufacturing within the automotive sector. Reporting to sales leadership, the role enables customer satisfaction and revenue expansion by providing timely responses to inquiries and submitting monthly activity reports that keep the organization informed.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop sales strategies and action plans for identified targets of opportunity.
• Prospect for new business and secure orders from existing and potential customers.
• Follow up on quotations submitted to customers by phone or visit.
• Establish professional relationships with customer personnel across Purchasing, Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality Control, and Management.
• Place customer orders and sample requests with Customer Service.
• Assist Product Development staff in assessing potential applications of company products to meet customer needs.
• Attend customer molding trials as required.
• Submit monthly activity and call reports concerning customer-related activities for quotes, orders, and problems.
• Provide timely responses to customer inquiries, problems, and complaints to ensure customer satisfaction.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, or a related field.
• 10 or more years of experience selling engineered thermoplastic compounds or resins in the automotive sector.
• Experience selling engineered materials into molders, extruders, and OEMs.
• Strong knowledge of and relationships within the automotive industry.
• Excellent sales, organizational, and communication skills.
• Self-starter who is team-oriented and able to work without daily supervision.
• Ability to travel overnight 25 to 40% of the time.

Embedded within the sales organization, the Automotive Account Manager fosters strong client relationships with assigned accounts, conducts strategic account planning, and manages client tenders alongside the technical sales team to capture business at the Tier 1 and OEM level. Working closely with product and marketing teams, the role advances the company's position in the automotive and telecom market by overseeing lead synchronization and delivering relevant market information to internal colleagues.

Core Functions

• Foster good client relationships with assigned accounts and identify business opportunities.
• Conduct strategic account planning and implementation.
• Collaborate with product and marketing teams in business executions.
• Manage client tenders with the technical sales team.
• Oversee lead synchronisation with Tier 1 customers.
• Provide appropriate market information to colleagues.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Business or Engineering.
• 6 or more years of professional experience in the automotive industry, including project and customer relationship management.
• Experience in solution selling to OEMs at the Tier 1 level.
• Understanding of the automotive and telecom industry.
• Proficient in Japanese and English.
• Good communication and negotiation skills.
• Proficient in CRM tools such as Salesforce or Siebel.
• Ability and willingness to travel.

Reporting to sales leadership, the Automotive Account Manager shapes a company-provided book of business by retaining and growing accounts through increasing services across current and new rooftops while conducting engaging conversations with C-Level dealer executives. Partnering with account executives and other departments, the role enables revenue growth and client satisfaction by executing sales strategy for new products and system enhancements across the auto industry.

Primary Duties

• Manage accounts with a focus on retaining and growing the book of business by increasing services under current and new rooftops.
• Educate and guide clients through the training process while ensuring their needs are met.
• Conduct engaging conversations with C-Level dealer executives to ensure client satisfaction.
• Present services and solutions to executives across the auto industry.
• Partner with account executives and other departments to execute sales strategy for new products and system enhancements.

Skills & Qualifications

• 2 or more years of account management experience in the automotive industry at the dealership or vendor level.
• Salesforce experience a plus.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and writing skills.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and manage time efficiently.
• Positive, self-driven, team-first mentality with a desire to learn.
• Ability to think on your feet and remain resilient when facing objections.

Sitting at the intersection of field operations and digital content capture, the Automotive Account Manager visits assigned dealership locations daily to photograph and video vehicles using company-provided equipment and uploads all captured media to the company database. Operating across multiple dealership lots, the role ensures customer satisfaction and accurate digital inventory by applying window labels, interacting with dealership personnel, and maintaining quality standards throughout every site visit.

Duties

• Visit assigned dealership locations daily to perform contracted services.
• Capture and process quality digital photographs of vehicles at dealership lots using company-provided equipment and best practices.
• Capture video of vehicles based on standard operating procedures and best practices.
• Print and apply window labels including window stickers and Buyer's Guides to vehicles.
• Interact with dealership personnel during visits to ensure customer satisfaction.
• Upload captured photos and video clips to the company database using company software.

Requirements

• Proficiency with smartphones, digital cameras, and indoor and outdoor photography.
• Comfortable using computers and technology, including company software systems.
• Excellent time management, organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently in all weather conditions.
• Available to work weekends as needed.
• Valid driver's license, appropriate vehicle insurance, reliable vehicle, and clean driving record required.

A key member of the sales and account management team, the Automotive Account Manager owns profit and revenue responsibility for defined accounts while optimizing them across products, growth, price, technology, service, and quality in the US market. Collaborating across cross-functional internal teams and senior customer stakeholders, including C-level executives, the role enables sustainable revenue growth by acquiring and developing new customers and ensuring timely delivery of tailored solutions.

Functions

• Own profit and revenue responsibility for defined accounts.
• Conduct contract review and manage pricing in accordance with internal guidelines.
• Provide management with relevant updates on customer activities, competition, and the general market.
• Liaise between customers and cross-functional internal teams to ensure timely delivery of solutions.
• Optimize accounts in terms of products, growth, price, technology, service, and quality.
• Acquire and develop new customers and projects while growing existing client relationships.

Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a technical or commercial field.
• 5 or more years of experience in Sales and Marketing in the US market, with a proven record of developing new markets and closing business deals.
• Deep market and industry knowledge with experience creating strategic and operational sales plans.
• Fluency in written and verbal English.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate, present, and influence at all levels, including Executive and C-level.
• Strong customer and market orientation with ability to identify future trends.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects with strict attention to detail.
• Proactive, open-minded personality with willingness to travel.

Sustained revenue growth with French automotive OEMs depends on the Automotive Account Manager, who promotes and positions the automotive product portfolio from concept phase through RFIs and RFQs to design win while handling all commercial and contractual aspects with the customer. Based within a regional sales structure and collaborating with product marketing and headquarters, the role drives competitive positioning across telematics, infotainment, and ADAS segments to expand market share.

Accountabilities

• Manage and develop relationships with French automotive OEM customer teams at all hierarchy levels.
• Understand customer organizations, identify key players and decision-makers.
• Promote and position the automotive product portfolio from concept phase through RFIs and RFQs to design win.
• Identify business opportunities and develop and execute sales strategies to win.
• Drive commercial, technical, and competitive positioning in collaboration with regional product marketing and headquarters.
• Handle all commercial and contractual aspects with the customer and manage forecasts and revenue.

Technical Qualifications

• Significant experience in the semiconductor industry working with automotive OEMs, Tier 1, or Tier 2 suppliers, including experience with SoC products.
• Experience and established network with French car manufacturers.
• Background in telematics, infotainment, or ADAS and autonomous driving.
• Overall understanding of system solutions, hardware, software, wireless communication, and connectivity.
• Strong relationship-building, influencing, planning, and organizational skills.
• Fluent in French and English, written and oral.
• Strong team player who is resilient.
• Available for frequent customer visits and willing to travel to the US occasionally.

As the Automotive Account Manager, this role leads a substantial book of business by monitoring delivery of contracted services, holding regular value-driven strategy conversations with clients, and proactively identifying early signs of underperformance to limit monthly churn. The client services team relies on this work to articulate ROI of existing solutions, solicit referrals, and expand share of wallet by identifying upsell opportunities across new product lines and higher package levels.

Operational Focus

• Understand each client's goals and monitor delivery of contracted services to ensure performance targets are met.
• Hold regular value-driven strategy conversations with clients to track progress toward goal achievement.
• Articulate ROI of existing solutions and identify opportunities to expand services to maximize share of wallet.
• Manage a varied book of business ranging from beginner to intermediate account difficulty.
• Proactively identify early signs of underperformance and execute improvement plans to limit monthly churn.
• Stay current with product offerings and Customer Experience Technology market developments.
• Solicit case studies, positive reviews, and referrals from clients to support new business development.

Position Requirements

• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• 2 or more years of B2B account management experience, preferably with dealership exposure.
• Deep understanding of product and service offerings, delivery methods, and client value proposition.
• Ability to interpret data, draw conclusions, and communicate findings effectively to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated productivity, attention to detail, and ability to balance competing priorities under tight deadlines.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite with knowledge of social media platforms.
• Strong rapport-building skills, inventive thinking, organizational ability, and a consultative sales mindset.

Automotive Account Manager builds and delivers strategic marketing activation, hospitality, and execution plans for an automotive client in partnership with race team partners and iconic tracks across the country. Success in the position means enhancing the value of client programs through creative event solutions, on-site management of paddock tours and driver meet and greets, and rigorous budget tracking that keeps cross-functional vendor and agency relationships running smoothly.

Key Deliverables

• Enhance the value of client programs through strategy, planning, and execution.
• Deliver creative event solutions, negotiate benefits, and coordinate all details associated with specific activations.
• Provide on-site management for activations and act as a liaison between internal and external partners and stakeholders.
• Deliver outstanding customer experiences at events including paddock tours, pit tours, and driver meet and greets.
• Build cross-promotional opportunities within key platforms and monitor and report competitive activity.
• Supervise event staff and manage exhibit, logistics vendors, and creative agency approvals.
• Build activation plans, program briefs, and wrap-up reports, and coordinate invoices and budget tracking.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• 4 to 5 years of experiential or event management experience.
• Experience in sports, automotive marketing, or luxury goods preferred.
• Experience managing relationships with venues, vendors, suppliers, and multiple agency partners.
• Budget management and reconciliation experience.
• Proficient in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Excellent project management, client service, organizational, and written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to travel, work weekends, and attend multi-day events.
• Valid driver's license.

The Automotive Account Manager oversees all aspects of specified accounts, including developing and implementing growth plans, managing the Annual Operating Planning process, and coordinating with manufacturing and engineering groups to launch new programs. Reporting to business unit leadership and leading cross-functional teams at the customer level, the role advances profitability and long-term client retention by preparing detailed quotes, negotiating costs, and securing new business through customer sourcing agreements.

Areas of Ownership

• Own the overall customer relationship and identify sales opportunities within the assigned book of business.
• Manage the Annual Operating Planning process and represent the organization on technical and commercial issues.
• Manage program profitability and support cost optimization programs and commercial roadmap activities.
• Prepare detailed quotes and negotiate product, development, and tooling costs including verification of price-relevant data.
• Create, negotiate, and maintain customer sourcing agreements and related documents to secure new business.
• Manage open customer issues including purchase orders, tool orders, payments, accruals, and past-due receivables.
• Coordinate with manufacturing and engineering groups to launch new programs and support global customer requirements.

Professional Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, or a related field.
• 3 or more years of automotive industry experience with a background in customer relationship management and program management.
• Basic understanding of manufacturing processes with strong financial and technical aptitude.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Analytical mindset with strong attention to detail and ability to work effectively on cross-functional teams.
• Ability to travel up to 25% to customer locations, plants, and supplier sites.