Engineering Key Account Manager

NGK Automotive Ceramics, USA Inc. is seeking a Key Account Manager for our Novi, MI sales office. The qualified candidate should have an Engineering Bachelor's degree (Master's is preferred) and application engineering and / or engineering account management experience.

The Key Account Manager researches and reports information on the performance of company technologies as well as competing technologies.

Aids in the development and application of products to fulfill customer needs. Confers with existing and prospective customers and assesses customer needs.

Promotes and implements technical products and services into customer development and production programs. Responsibilities include providing product functionality and capability reports and acting as technical liaison both internally and externally.

Responsible for the communication between NGK and customers and acts as the liaison for the commercial aspects of the business, including but not limited to, pricing, negotiation, and feedback.

I. BASIC FUNCTIONS

Researches and reports information on the performance of company technologies as well as competing technologies within the Customer base.

Aids in the development and application of products to fulfill customer needs. Confers with existing and prospective customers and assesses customer needs.

Promotes and implements technical products and services into customer development and production programs. Responsibilities include providing product functionality and capability reports and acting as technical liaison both internally and externally.

Responsible for the communication between NGK and customers and acts as the liaison for the commercial and technical aspects of the business.

II. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Has the lead function on all interactions with the Customer and has responsibilities and ownership for the business account.

Takes full accountability for all aspects of the business and solicits support from within the company in the interests of the company.

Acts as the communication leader for the business account. Strives to establish NGK as global number one supplier at the customer.

• Responsible for the commercial success of the account, by hitting sales and profit targets that comply with growing market demand and maintain / increase price levels for the future.
• Always maintains and seeks deeper communication networks at the customers (OEM & supply chain partners).
• Ensure regular and consistent meetings with Customers capturing detailed reports, outcomes and necessary actions whilst documenting the details and capturing on the NAU database.
• Provides technical expertise, recommends improvements and negotiates with Customers on product specifications, performance requirements, developments strategies and configurations and leads interaction with Product Management (PM) at NAU and ACPE to find best solutions for the Customer and NGK.
• Confers with key Customer personnel in engineering, purchasing and quality etc. to assess their needs and to determine their technical and business requirements (Quality / cost / performance), whilst always understanding the direct impact on NGK.
• Collaborates with Business Strategy (BS) and PM groups to communicate / interchange customer requirements and establish best case solutions from a Commercial and Technical perspective.
• Coordinates the negotiation of contracts, contractual changes, preparations of proposals and financial conditions of contracts.

Coordinates and monitors pricing, quotations, business proposals and 'win-or-lose' feedback, all with the support of BS group and HQ.

• Initiates the kick-off of PPAP & Production products via the 'Advanced Information' (AI) & 'Confirmed Information' (CI) process in conjunction with guidance from BS group.
• Has lead responsibility for the creation of customer budgets files as required by HQ twice per annum. Provides physical budget files to BS group and agree final figures before it is submitted to HQ via the BS group.
• Monitors the actual sales and delivery figures related to the annual budget figures and initiates investigations with Customers on questionable discrepancies.

Provide clarity and direction to relevant departments (Planning, Logistics, BS group and HQ).

Researches changing and global emission regulations and resulting after-treatment technology development / requirements.

Anticipates future business needs.

• Monitors market trends and recommends necessary business strategies.
• Monitors competitor performance and recommend product / technology & commercial development strategies as required. Anticipates possible future actions of the competition.
• Works as key communication interface between Customers and PM & BS groups and actively participates in internal meetings (Technical & Commercial) to convey business needs to all parties.

Acts as key participant in internal technical exchanges and promotes the customers needs in forums such as GEM and NAU technical meetings.

• Aids in the development of existing NGK processes and systems to fulfill the needs of customers.
• Leads to resolve Quality Assurance (QA) issues and diagnostics of technical problems, related to the products and relevant specifications.
• Responsibility for the preparation and physical presentations provided to customers that are related to all aspects of the business account (Technical and Commercial).
• Coordinates and supports visits to customer or NGK facilities for issues such as customer audits, senior management business meetings, workshops, quality issues etc.
• Focuses on all opportunities for product differentiation. Delivers input and support for any internal or external new business opportunities as well as new applications within existing customers.
• Ensures adherence to master vehicle / engine program plans and develops solutions to problems, as well as directs those assigned to the program from various departments within NGK and customer if necessary.

Provide program status reports and ensure sufficient communication to all relevant parties both internal and external.

• Ensures compliance and support of company policies, procedures, and objectives.
• Performs duties as deemed necessary by direct supervisor and senior management.

III. QUALIFICATIONS

Education / : Bachelor's degree in engineering or equivalent, Master's degree is preferred.

Experience : Five (5) to seven (7) years of direct experience as application engineer or similar position(s).

Skills / Aptitude :

• Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology.
• Strong customer interface and negotiation skills.
• Ability to apply logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent inter-personal skills, computer literate.

Work Environment : Office environment. Overtime may be required to meet deadlines of assigned tasks. Domestic and International travel is required.