Key Account Manager, Automotive

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 commercialize 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 and to realize 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.
• Responsible for defining, developing and commercializing new projects, customers and applications within the UK strategy and the ambition of individual product lines.
• Responsible for leveraging and coordinating 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.
• Responsible for positioning new value propositions at target accounts for commercial development and for communicating value propositions to the market.
• Accountable for initiating development agreements with customers and responsible for communicating the business case to the Sales Director for approval.
• Responsible for adding and maintaining projects to internal tracking systems.
• Develop and maintain networks at adequate levels of the value chain and accounts organization focusing on engineering, technology and sales.
• Responsible for internal communications and to the customer in new product development needs / requests / availability.
• Responsible for collecting market information and communicating current and emerging needs for existing and potential accounts within the region to drive new business development.
• Responsible for accurate sales forecasting.
• Responsible for monitoring credit limits as defined by the Credit Risk Manager and if needed, initiating a request for a higher (or lower) credit limit to the Credit Risk Manager.
• Ownership for handling communication to the customer regarding complaints and proposing settlements (including product returns) to be approved by the Sales Director.
• Accountable for communicating timely, accurate instructions to the accounts receivable administrator.
• Responsible for the timely communication of potential bad debts and for preparing and settling rebates after approval of the Sales Director.

Knowledge and Educational Level:

• Ideally 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 of 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 sales and business development.
• Knowledge of Polymer materials. Experience of polyamides is of particular interest.
• Analytical with good judgement, business sense and problem solving skills.
• Strong negotiator, able to identify customers’ needs, 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.

Why select Listgrove?

• Five Decades of Market Intelligence
• Unrivalled Industry Networks
• Recognised International brand
• HR Qualified Professionals