Key Account Manager Automotive Mechatronics

Key Account Manager Automotive / Mechatronics
Location: Troy MI (On-site MondayFriday)
Compensation: $130000$150000 base performance bonus car allowance

Im recruiting on behalf of a long-established organization in Troy MI. They represent leading global suppliers in electric motors mechatronics and related components with particularly strong business in automotive and adjacent sectors.

Theyre a small highly technical relationship-driven team that is growing and theyre looking for a Key Account Manager who can own major accounts and operate with a high degree of independence.

The Opportunity

This is not a maintenance only sales role. Youll:

• Take over several key accounts with a large existing book of business (including a major European account and a significant automotive customer with constant RFQs and projects in play).
• Be the day-to-day owner of these customers managing RFQs pricing issues engineering changes launches and the many good and bad realities of automotive.
• Free up the Sales Director/Owner so he can focus on strategy supplier conferences and broader business development which means youll be trusted and visible from day one.
• Support growth into non-automotive applications (e.g. offhighway robotics other electrification opportunities) using the companys strong automotive capabilities as a foundation.
• Operate as part of a small collaborative team where everyone is close to the detail and theres flexibility in how accounts are ultimately allocated based on your strengths.

What Youll Be Doing

• Key Account Ownership
  • Manage 24 major accounts with significant current revenue.
  • Handle ongoing RFQs quotations and commercial negotiations.
  • Coordinate with European and other global contacts (including occasional travel to Europe for customer and supplier meetings).
• Day-to-Day Customer Management
  • Be the primary point of contact for engineering purchasing and program teams.
  • Resolve issues around quality delivery cost and engineering changes.
  • Support program launches (including launches in Mexico) and manage the inevitable firefighting that comes with them.
• Business Development
  • Identify and pursue new opportunities within existing key accounts.
  • Help scout and develop new accounts and industries (e.g. offhighway robotics) where the companys technical capabilities fit.
  • Work closely with principals/suppliers on joint strategies to grow business.
• Internal Collaboration
  • Work with other account managers and a younger developing team member backing each other up as needed.
  • Interface closely with principals/suppliers to align on pricing capacity and technical proposals.

What Theyre Looking For

Because theyre a lean team independence and maturity are critical. They are deliberately pitching this at a higher salary band because they want someone who can come up to speed quickly and be trusted with major customers.

Ideal profile:

• Background
  • Strong experience in automotive or closely related industrial sectors.
  • Exposure to electromechanical / mechatronics products (e.g. motors bearings actuators electric drive components) is a significant plus.
  • Experience as a Key Account Manager Sales Engineer Application Engineer or similar customer-facing technical role.
• Technical & Commercial Aptitude
  • Mechanical engineering or similar technical degree is preferred but not strictly required; a strong technical aptitude with proven success in technical/automotive sales will also be considered.
  • Comfortable working with engineering teams and purchasing on complex programs RFQs and long automotive life cycles.
• Personal Fit
  • Based in Metro Detroit (or committed to being here long term) they value stability and want someone who intends to build a career not just take a stopgap role.
  • Happy to work on-site in Troy MondayFriday this is an in-office culture with flexibility for personal appointments but not a hybrid/remote setup.
  • Proactive organized and able to juggle multiple programs and stakeholders without constant hand-holding.
  • Strong communicator clear timely and comfortable representing both the customer and the suppliers interests.

Compensation & Progression

• Base salary: $130000$150000 depending on experience.
• Bonus: Performance-based bonus with real upside for high performers and business winners.
• Car allowance provided.
• The company is a smaller manufacturers rep so title progression is less important than earning progression.
• For a genuine high performer who wins new business and/or brings in new principals there is meaningful upside on total compensati