Sales & Key Account Manager; N. America- Battery

Job Requirements

Why work for us?

Alkegen brings together two of the world’s leading specialty materials companies to create one new, innovation-driven leader focused on battery technologies, filtration media, and specialty insulation and sealing materials.

Through global reach and breakthrough inventions, we’re delivering products that enable the world to breathe easier, live greener, and go further than ever before.

With over 60 manufacturing facilities with a global workforce of over 9,000 of the industry’s most experienced talent, including insulation and filtration experts, Alkegen is uniquely positioned to help customers impact the environment in meaningful ways.

Alkegen offers a range of dynamic career opportunities with globe-spanning reach. From production operators to engineers, technicians to specialists, sales to leadership, we’re always looking for top talent ready to bring their best. Come grow with us!

The Sales & Key Account Manager; North America - Battery provides sales management for the defined geography, and direct key account technical sales support, for the rapidly growing passive fire protection business for electric vehicle, energy storage systems, and Lithium Ion Battery (LiB) manufacturers, as well as other materials developed by Alkegen for use in lithium-ion batteries.

The North America Sales Manager for Battery Fire Protection is in charge of directing the regional pursuit team to achieve Sales Initiatives and Standard Margin Growth targets for the BU.

They will also assure that other functional areas are aligned with customer requirements. The position requires a keen understanding of the business and competitive environment, managing the overall sales efforts and providing support in the development new product requirements.

The incumbent will manage top customer relationships (Key Accounts) within the geography and will assure the appropriate application and market support.

This position acts as the voice of the customer within the Company and will interface with R&D, Operations, and Marketing to ensure appropriate levels or service and quality as well as the right product portfolio.

In coordination with Technology and Market Growth Leaders, this position will establish and manage appropriate channels of sales and relationships with specified major OEM end users engaged in these markets.

This role provides sales leadership for the implementation of FyreWrap LiB and Alkegel brand products, and system commercialization, to drive long term growth and profitability of our North American LiB business.

This role identifies new opportunities to expand Alkegen’s leadership position in the lithium-ion battery market for passive fire, thermal and electrical protections.

Performs the initial market analysis, builds the business case, and makes recommendations to position Alkegen at the forefront of solutions for new electrification applications in this dynamic, and technology driven, emerging space.

In addition to prospecting new business, this role will provide ongoing sales support to key account OEMs within the assigned territory, and coordinates globally with other Sales Engineers, Program Management and Application Engineering from the Battery Fire Protection business.

The individual holding this job must be proficient in the technical and operational management of his or her products and be able to represent Alkegen as an expert in this space.

Market development and incremental sales shall be achieved through specification selling, and OEM education.

Responsibilities :

• Direct regional sales actions to ensure Battery Fire protection Strategic Plan and Operating Plan revenue and growth objectives are met.
• Develop accurate rolling sales forecasts to support the Sales and Operations Planning process and Manufacturing Operations.
• Ensure CRM tool is utilised by the team as required and is up to date. Conduct weekly opportunity and prospect reviews from CRM Initiative Tracker with each team member.
• Contribute to the development of longer term strategy and current operating plans.
• Provides technical and sales support for rapidly growing North America / Korea / China / Germany passive fire protection business to achieve sales and margin growth consistent with the Company's annual operating and five year strategic plans.
• Plans key account strategy and tactical approach and manages own resources to achieve the sales plan within budgetary guidelines.
• Make calls to existing and potential customers, including OEM’s and OES’s,
• Cultivates relationships with customers to help secure positioning within the account. Ability to build relationships at all levels within an organization from design engineers to the Sr.

Management / Director levels within OEM organization.

• Proficient at new business development activities. Champions new product implementation efforts through specification selling, education of testing standards, and establishment of appropriate channel of sales and relationships with end users.
• Coordinate customer technical review preparations with internal teams and presentation of technical reviews and proposals at customers support new sales opportunities
• Maintains product leadership by identifying and developing promotional tools that educate, promote, and articulate product advantages and customer value.
• Protects pricing integrity by recommending price policies and practices for new programs
• Provide timely market and competitive intelligence. Understands market environment and competitive situations and builds appropriate response plans
• Cross functional team player; Work in close coordination with Marketing, Customer Service, Application Engineering, Program Management, Research and Development, Program Launch, Finance, Supply Chain Group, and Manufacturing in support to meet customer requirements.
• Participation in industry events, and industry specific committees (where applicable).
• Business travel required for customer and supplier meetings

Qualifications :

• B.S. degree in Engineering, Business Admin. or Marketing is required. An MBA is preferred.
• 7-10 years of experience in Sales Management; lithium-based battery and / or automotive Sales and Marketing preferred
• Knowledge of Passive Fire Protection production and application is helpful.
• Must be proficient in the technical and operational management of his / her products and be able to represent Unifrax as an expert in this space.
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
• Adaptive Coaching skills of listening, asking and responding.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills are required.

Reporting Structure :

• Sales Manager : 2-5 Direct and / or Indirect Reports
• Reports To : Sr. Director, Growth & New Business Development

If you are interested in being part of a world class Sales and Key Account Manager function here at Alkegen then we would love to hear from you.

At Alkegen, we strive every day to help people ALL PEOPLE breathe easier, live greener and go further than ever before. We believe that diversity and inclusion is central to this mission and to our impact.

Our diverse and inclusive culture drives our growth & innovation and we nurture it by actively embracing our differences and using our varied perspectives to solve the complex challenges facing our changing and diverse world.

Employment selection and related decisions are made without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, nation of origin, religion, color, gender identity and expression, age, disability, education, opinions, culture, languages spoken, veteran’s status, or any other protected class.