Account Manager in Troisdorf bei GKN Automotive

Role Purpose

The role of the Account Manager is to be the primary point of contact for all commercial activities supporting growth in Europe in the Small Original Equipment and Motorsport sector. Ensure that customers’ requirements including customers inquiries and concerns and opportunities are managed. Key focus is to grow the existing customer base in the relevant sector but also to look ahead for new opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

• Represent the customer within GKN Automotive providing the necessary information to the relevant functions and tracking responses to customer issues.
• Maintain a customer database (pricing/contracts,) and communicate/cooperate with relevant internal functions.
• Provide input to the NBA, iDash/SIOP/eRFQ and program management business processes (i. e. prepare NBA document, lead NBA-Q and get support of relevant functions, prepare NBA-p ahead of customer RFQs, support NBA-s, …).
• Check customer RFQ and related documents and forward to relevant functions for specific checks (feasibility study, contractual check of documents, …) and documentation thereof (present/support ISO Audit), prepare Quotations and technical and commercial offers.
• Provide input to the account planning process, e.g. 5YP, budget process, demand planning.
• Maintain account sales performance data and investigate variances to budget; Propose and manage improvements.
• Review and understand the implications of customer agreements, license agreements and other contracts/agreements; request internal legal support when required.
• Adhere to internal authorization processes. Priorities and escalation of critical items to be agreed with Account Director
• Ensure to work acc. to GKN standard processes, procedures and policies.
• Ensure to work in line to GKN policy, e.g., health and safety, environmental, etc. especially Anti Bribery and Corruption rules.
• Support the development and execution of the customer strategy.
• Develop and maintain an in-depth and up to date understanding of the customer and technical requirements, including market position, vehicle strategy, purchasing strategy, competitor activities, organization, etc.
• Utilize opportunities to be involved in broader vehicle activities (system supply, product segments,) of the customer across all GKN Automotive product segments (in line with customer strategy)
• Use visits and technical events to develop a relationship and network throughout the customer; represent GKN Automotive at the customer level.
• Monitor and measure the customer’s perception of GKN Automotive and act to improve.
• Participate in/lead customer negotiations such as design changes, changes in the supplier base, move of production, material recovery or contract/annual pricing negotiations and new businesses. Prepare and agree sales plan/tactics ahead of negotiations (i.e., price reconciliation, supporting documents, technical explanations ...).
• Increase existing customer base and look for new opportunities in adjacent industry sectors.

Qualification and Skills

• Bachelor's degree in business or a relevant technical or commercial degree or equivalent.
• Experience in the automotive industry
• Exceptional data skills: Candidates should be, able to effectively manage, challenge, analyze and summarize multiple-dimension data (cost, budget, and market data).
• Comfortable preparing business cases and analyzing financial scenarios.
• Excellent Excel and systems skills.
• Knowledge of Demand Management, Budgeting, Pricing and Cost Interrogation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Customer-facing experience.
• Be able to negotiate using detailed cost models.
• Must be fluent in English.
• Must be able to work and travel independently.
• Initiative-Proactivity
• Negotiation skills
• Logical thinking
• Resilience
• Good language skills in English and German

We offer

• Flexible working hours and a flexitime model so that family and career can be coordinated individually
• An attractive remuneration package in accordance with the IG Metall collective wage agreement for North Rhine-Westphalia, including vacation and Christmas bonuses
• Challenging, exciting and varied activities in a collegial environment
• Employee benefits, a company pension plan and supplementary health insurance
• Home office option
• Free parking
• Free hot drinks and water dispenser