Automotive Key Account Manager – Laser Process Solutions

As an Automotive Key Account Manager, you will be responsible for maintaining and expanding long‑term relationships with key customers in the North American automotive sector. You will act as the central point of contact for strategic OEM and Tier 1 accounts, ensuring their needs are understood, communicated internally, and fulfilled to the highest standards. A critical focus will be aligning customer applications and programs with IPG Photonics’ laser process solutions, enabling higher precision, improved efficiency, and greater design flexibility in vehicle manufacturing.

• Develop and execute strategic account mapping and penetration plans for key North American automotive companies, with emphasis on laser‑based manufacturing applications.
• Partner with the sales team to identify and capture expansion opportunities within existing accounts, especially where laser processes can add measurable value.
• Build relationships with decision‑makers at multiple levels within target organizations, including engineering, manufacturing, and procurement.

• Create comprehensive North American automotive market overviews, identifying trends, key players, and the competitive landscape for laser‑based production processes.
• Design strategies to address specific market needs based on market intelligence, including new applications for laser welding, cutting, additive manufacturing, and surface treatment.
• Collaborate with global IPG teams to understand market dynamics, emerging technologies, and best practices for laser applications, and adapt them for the North American market.
• Align regional strategies with IPG’s global go‑to‑market approach and product roadmap for laser solutions.

• Manage product introduction, process integration, change management, and issue resolution for laser system implementations in customer production lines.
• Coordinate with engineering, quality, supply chain, and production teams to ensure laser process requirements and specifications are met.
• Monitor delivery performance, system uptime, and process quality for laser equipment.

• Represent IPG Photonics at North American automotive industry events, trade shows, and technical conferences focused on laser manufacturing technologies.
• Stay informed on market trends, competitor activities, and emerging laser‑based process innovations in the automotive sector.

• Maintain accurate CRM records, sales forecasts, and account plans.
• Prepare and present account performance reports to management, highlighting growth from laser process adoption.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, or related field (MBA preferred).
• 5+ years in sales or key account management within the automotive industry.
• Experience in laser process technologies or capital equipment sales to automotive manufacturing environments strongly preferred.
• Proven track record of managing complex customer relationships and achieving revenue growth.

• Excellent communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• Technical understanding of laser welding, cutting, marking, or related processes used in automotive manufacturing.
• Strong problem‑solving and project management skills.
• Proficient in CRM tools and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Willingness to travel across North America (up to 30–50%).