Sales Manager

 Req ID 73486 | OSS Washington, United States ZF Passive Safety Systems US Inc.

ZF LIFETEC is a key supplier to the major North America OEMs across its Product Lines, based upon technology, safety, innovation, and system integration capabilities. The Sales Manager is responsible to manage the Seat Belts business account towards the profitability, growth and market share targets. Identify new business opportunities and deal with customer on a daily basis towards building a strong relationship and ensuring customer’s satisfaction while achieving company’s goals.

This is a role which requires commercial savvy and business acumen. The Sales Manager is responsible for both the support of existing business, as well as the development of future business potential. Close collaboration with the technical and program management teams is key for success. The position is located in Washington, Michigan. 

Your Tasks

• Be the first point of contact to the customer;
• Be present at customer, building relationship and understanding their needs and market opportunities and threats;
• Identify new business opportunities, obtain RFQ’s, lead quotation processes, negotiation and follow-up with customer;
• Support and implement long term business strategies to achieve the Business Unit short and long-term goals (sales, profitability, etc.)
• Development and implement sales and marketing strategies according to the strategic and operative business planning;
• Coordination, preparation and execution of customer meetings and events;
• Manage commercial activities as a member of new product program teams, coordinating all customer commercial and business requirements like prototype timing, delivery and logistics needs;
• Support the Sr. Sales Manager and Sales Director/VP in preparing and implementing sales strategies for sustainable competitive advantage;
• Manage and deal with commercial documentation: including purchase orders, customs documents, tooling orders, cost breakdowns, cost tracking/history and change management;
• Actively negotiate with customer, as needed, Raw Material, Inflation, Tariffs and FX recoveries pre and post SOP;
• Monitor and address customer issues on cost, quality, delivery, resilience and warranty;
• Work collaboratively within a global sales team, contributing to global team efforts;
• Manage A/R timely.

Your Profile 

• Bachelor’s engineering or business administration degree-level or equivalent required. An MBA degree would be highly desirable. Alternative degree with additional business administration qualification.
• 7+ years of progressive experience in sales roles in the Automotive industry required. 
• Demonstrated experience dealing directly with major Global OEMs.  A strong preference will be given to experience on dealing with the Detroit-3 OEMs, and interiors/restraints related products.
• Demonstrated ability building customer relationships and in sales development.
• Large experience in commercial negotiations and business acquisition.
• Proven success achieving profitable growth, ideally including experience in selling similar products with unwavering dedication to selling and winning.
• Ability to work cross-functionally in a Global organization, managing multiple projects and competing priorities.
• Able to develop creative solutions to difficult problems.
• Ability to travel as business needs require.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Strategic and analytical skills to develop efficient strategic orientation towards customers;
• Experience in discrete customer account management and interdisciplinary project management;
• Self-motivated, flexible and able to work under pressure
• Talent and openness with proven negotiating skills;
• Structured and process oriented working method;
• Good financials acumen;
• Fluency in English required. 

Be part of our ZF Lifetec team as Sales Manager and apply now!

Contact

Barbara Campa

Barbara.Campa.external@zf-lifetec.com 

DIVERSITY COMMITMENT: 
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are more than just words for us. They are at the core of the ZF Way that propels our team members towards their utmost success. We strive to build and nurture a culture where inclusiveness is a natural reflex. We actively seek ways to remove barriers so that every member of ZF can rise to their full potential. We aim to embed this in our legacy through how we operate and build our products as we shape next generation mobility, safety, sustainability and social justice. 

With four generations across 118 nationalities in 41 countries, ZF combines a unique variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and ideas. Together, we solve problems, drive innovation and shape next generation mobility. 

Our company is committed to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity and to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you are interested in applying for employment with us and are in need of accommodation or special assistance to navigate our website or to complete your application, please contact us. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. ZF is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job-related reasons regardless of an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, marital status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law. Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer M/F/Disability/Veteran