Key Account Manager, Automotive

Location: United Kingdom

Job ref: CST/64705

Salary: Highly attractive – commensurate with experience

The Company: Our client is a global leader in high-performance engineering polymers, supplying advanced material solutions to major OEMs and tier suppliers across automotive, industrial, electronics and consumer markets. With a strong reputation for technical excellence, innovation and customer partnership, the organisation delivers premium specialty materials that support lightweighting, sustainability and next‑generation product design. Their UK operation is well‑established, highly respected, and offers an exciting environment for professionals looking to grow within a dynamic, technology‑driven industry.

Primary purpose: Achieve the agreed sales / account objectives for Automotive customers as defined annually by the Sales Manager. Identify, develop and commercialise new business typically via multiplication of successful existing or newly developed applications at existing (and new) accounts.

The Role:

• Define and execute the sales / account plans derived from the various product line strategies to realise annual sales and account objectives.
• Execute negotiations about pricing and delivery within boundaries set by sales and product management.
• Responsible for quotations, contracts, complaint ownership and consignment contracts.
• Define, develop and commercialise new projects, customers and applications within the UK strategy and the ambition of individual product lines.
• Leverage and coordinate technical colleagues’ efforts for accounts and projects.
• Co‑ordinate all internal activities concerning the account to ensure a consistent approach in sales, support and development.
• Position new value propositions at target accounts for commercial development and communicate value propositions to the market.
• Initiate development agreements with customers and communicate the business case to the Sales Director for approval.
• Add and maintain projects to internal tracking systems.
• Develop and maintain networks at adequate levels of the value chain and accounts organisation focusing on engineering, technology and sales.
• Communicate new product development needs / requests / availability to internal teams and customers.
• Collect market information and communicate current and emerging needs for existing and potential accounts within the region to drive new business development.
• Accurate sales forecasting.
• Monitor credit limits as defined by the Credit Risk Manager and, if needed, request a higher (or lower) credit limit to the Credit Risk Manager.
• Handle communication to the customer regarding complaints and propose settlements (including product returns) to be approved by the Sales Director.
• Communicate timely, accurate instructions to the accounts receivable administrator.
• Communicate potential bad debts and prepare and settle rebates after approval of the Sales Director.

Knowledge and Educational Level:

• Ideally a degree in a relevant technology and/or business related field.
• Knowledge of the plastics/polymer raw material industry and markets, detailed know‑how of products, applications, competitive materials and competitors.
• Experience of selling to Automotive (first‑tier and end‑users) customers.
• Knowledge of sales processes.
• Experience in finance, product management and additional understanding of technical service and application development.
• Excellent communication and social skills.

Required Level of Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years’ relevant B2B experience in sales and business development.
• Knowledge of polymer materials; experience with polyamides is of particular interest.
• Analytical with good judgement, business sense and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong negotiator, able to identify customers’ needs and persuasive when presenting ideas.
• Team player and able to work independently.
• Creative with entrepreneurial experience.
• Relation builder with good social and networking skills.
• Structured worker with good time management and project management ability.

For UK roles, candidates must be eligible to work and live in the United Kingdom. Proof of eligibility will be required with your application.

To apply please contact Conrad Taylor conrad.taylor@listgrove.com 0044 (0) 1789 207070

Why select Listgrove?

• Five decades of market intelligence.
• Unrivalled industry networks.
• Recognised international brand.
• HR‑qualified professionals.

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