Sales Account Manager

Who we are

Witzenmann is an international, family-owned, precision metal manufacturing company. Our local manufacturing is located in Troy, Michigan.

What we make

Witzenmann USA produces flexible metal components for automotive, industrial and commercial vehicles and is currently ramping up programs for valve manufacturing, semi-conductor manufacturing and other non-automotive industries.  We are a market leader, supplying parts that are on most vehicles on the road today. We are also well-positioned to meet demands for new mobility and technologies.

What you can expect

This Sales Account Manager will be responsible to identify new customers and projects, support existing customers and coordinate with the internal project team in order to support customer needs and promote the capabilities of the company.  This position is within our Commercial Vehicles & Engines group. This team will also be focusing heavily in new applications for hydrogen and hylyzer technologies. This position may travel up to 40% of their time. Primarily, travel will be within NAFTA, however, it is our desire for the incumbent to spend an extended period of time at our headquarters in Germany for the purposes of learning about new technologies (2-3 months), in their first 1-2 years on the job.

What are the Job Duties?

Customer Development

• Secure new business with Customers.
• Obtain new business leads through relationships with the customers, and relay the leads to the Sales and Marketing personnel

Program Management

• Program Management – Cradle to Grave
• Maintain regular contact with the Customer
• Work in conjunction with the Product Engineer to develop and launch products into production.
• Set-up and attend design review meetings with the customer.
• Write meeting minutes and distribute to the appropriate team members.
• Document all proposed design changes and consult the Product Engineer for authorization.
• Be present for PSO and PPAP builds.
• Work in conjunction with the Product Engineer to develop the PPAP documentation for every program. Review the documents with the customer and relay any changes to the product engineer for correction.
• Organize and maintain a complete design log.
• On a macro / engineering level, act as window (funnel, liaison) between the customer and the remaining team members.
• Work with the Product Engineer to define significant characteristics. Review the specifications with the customer and report any changes to the Product Engineer.
• Assist the Product Engineer by providing engineering support in the form of calculations -- when necessary.
• Notify the Product Engineer of required internal quotes, RFQ's, customer engineering changes, and P.O.'s.
• Participate in and track project open issues (Customer Side) for all projects. Program Manager is ultimately responsible for the completion of this activity.
• Requesting and tracking product samples through Product Engineering.

Market Analysis

• Identify key market segments within the product segment scope.
• Participate in setting business prices, as well as price increases.
• Perform market analysis on current products and segments, as well as new trends and technologies. Relay all significant information to the remaining team members.
• Initiate feasibility studies with Product Engineering.
• Work in conjunction with the Product Engineer to perform competitive benchmarking analysis. The benchmarked parts will be stored under the responsibility of the Product Engineer.

Qualification Requirements:

• Mechanical Engineering degree or equivalent practical experience.
• Proven experience in a technical sales role within the automotive supplier industry - 10 years experience preferred
• Strong knowledge of related industries (OEM and Tier 1 sales)
• Ability to learn about new products / technologies quickly.
• Knowledge of turn-key engineered projects.
• Knowledge of tooling and part fabrication
• Strong written and oral communication skills, excellent presentation skills
• Ability to effectively liaise between customer and company contacts.
• Self-motivator with an ability to motivate others.
• Proven commercial skills and success.

Special Circumstances of the Job:

• Ability and willingness to travel 30-40%; Primarily travel will be limited to NAFTA, however some overseas travel will be required.
• Able to react quickly when a crisis arises.
• Work with minimal direction and make decisions independently.
• Attend trade shows to meet potential customers and engineering firms; collect appropriate customer and competitive data.
• Remain updated on leading technologies through association with various industry trade organizations.