Account Manager

Founded in 1946, HI-LEX is a leading supplier of window regulators, door modules, power lift gate systems, and mechanical control cables primarily serving the automotive industry, but also the power sports, marine, construction equipment, and medical device sectors. Headquartered in Takarazuka, Japan (near Osaka), and listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), HI-LEX employs more than 12,000 associates across its global footprint. 

In the Americas region, HI-LEX has grown steadily in the region, and now has ten (10) manufacturing facilities across the the United States, Mexico, and Brazil. In the U.S., HI-LEX operates under three divisions: HI-LEX America in Battle Creek, Michigan; HI-LEX Controls in Hudson, Litchfield, and Hazel Park, Michigan; and Daedong HI-LEX of America in Cusseta, Alabama. The company’s automotive center is in Rochester Hills, Michigan which consists of finance, sales, engineering, testing, and program management, and will serve as the location for this position.
Website:  HI-LEX.com

POSITION SUMMARY:
HI-LEX NA is seeking a dynamic leader for the Account manager position. This leader will be responsible for managing a customer relationship, aligning with the organization's mission, vision, and objectives. The role may involve indirect leadership of an extended team of 8 (account managers and sales administrators).

Success hinges on balancing market knowledge, a structured approach to account management, cultivating new opportunities, and tactically executing long-term commercial customer relationships. This role is the primary leader for a group of customers carrying significant authority and responsibility. The opportunity offers a challenging and rewarding experience to positively impact HI-LEX's long-term vision by leading commercial customer relationships, and coaching and mentoring commercial and cross-functional teams to inspire customer satisfaction.

KEY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responsible for the development of an annual fiscal sales budget & 5-year forecasts for the customer this role represents across our product portfolio.
• Supports the creation and maintenance of business development strategies to identify new markets, business opportunities and customer / competitor strategies.
• Establishes and sets customer-penetration strategies for responsible customers to achieve annual and long-term sales objectives.
• Leads, trains and develops team members to achieve specified personal and corporate growth objectives.
• Supports and executes within the structure and process of commercial organization from opportunity prospecting through production / service.
• Utilizes and maintains CRM tools within the organization to provide real-time data and use.
• Responsible for developing and obtaining approvals for quotations based on approval level requirements.
•  Responsible for managing customer portals, Quote submissions and customer required administration directly or through the team.
•  Supports marketing plans including templates, marketing materials, brand identity, Customer Segmentation, Digital Marketing, Market research, public relations, and customer demonstrations.
• Coordinates with other internal departments (purchasing, quality, engineering, etc) to meet and exceed customer expectations.
•  Develops & maintains relationships with customer decision-advisors at the specific customer sector.
•  Leads continuous improvement activities to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of sales processes & procedures.
• Prepares and presents Quality Management System metrics to senior executive management.
   

Education 

• 4-year degree in business administration, marketing, engineering or equivalent. 
• MBA or MS degree preferred. 
• Above average computer skills with proficiency of MS office applications and knowledge of CRM / ERP systems. 

Functional Experience

• Above average computer skills with proficiency of MS office applications and/or Google Suite
• Excellent skills in excel / google sheets to manage data
• Knowledge of ERP systems preferred
• Experience with and knowledge CRM tools preferred

Industry Experience

• Experience with the Primary US customer base including GM, SLTA, Ford, Toyota, Honda and Nissan.
• Experience with start up EV customers (Tesla, Rivian, Scout, etc) is a plus.
• Experiences in adjacent industries such as aftermarket,  recreational vehicles, equipment manufacturing is a plus.

Core Competencies

• Minimum 4+ years business development, account management or sales experience with an automotive background.
• Minimum 2+ years in people leadership experience.  Preferred people leadership within an automotive commercial management team.
• Experience in sales organization process, procedures and ontology to evolve the current processes / systems 

Physical Requirements 

• Sometimes lifts, carries or moves objects - up to 25 pounds.
• Office environment with noise from computer peripherals such as printers and plotters.
• Sometimes works around factory equipment.