Account Manager; Business Development

Overview

NGK Automotive Ceramics USA, Inc. is a subsidiary of the leading ceramic technology company NGK Corporation, located in Nagoya, Japan. NGK Automotive Ceramics USA, Inc. directly supports and supplies all major automobile manufacturers and heavy‑duty diesel manufacturers with high‑performance components for emission control systems.

Recently, NGK now provides products and services that contribute to carbon neutrality and the digital society. As part of the Carbon Neutrality Business, we are currently seeking an Account Manager to develop and promote our latest technologies to address industrial issues within our group.

Pharmaceutical Industry;
Oil & Gas Industry;
Carbon Capture Industry;
Intermediate Chemicals

The Account Manager will maintain and develop new relationships in the fields of Direct Air Capture (DAC) and Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) upgrading. The role requires knowledge of industry stakeholders to support business decisions for NGK and act as the face of NGK at industry coalitions and lobby groups for DAC and RNG. The Account Manager will also support technical aspects in discussions with product development teams across US, Japan, and other locations, linking the NGK world with updates on the North American experience and activities.

Flexibility to adopt and adapt new technologies for exploring new allied industries is expected.

• Research and report on performance of company and competing technologies within the customer base.
• Increase customer portfolio by promoting technologies to new customers.
• Aid in the development and application of products to fulfill customer needs.
• Consult with existing and prospective customers and assess customer needs.
• Promote and implement technical products and services into customer development and production programs.
• Provide product functionality and capability reports and act as technical liaison internally and externally.
• Communicate between NGK and customers, acting as liaison for commercial and technical aspects.
• Communicate internally on a regular basis with other global offices, including Europe and Japan.
• Lead responsibilities:
  • Create budget files twice a year with concurrence of team members.
  • Monitor sales and delivery figures related to budget files.
  • Prepare proposals, negotiate contracts, and manage changes with customers.
  • Handle all interactions with customers on technical and commercial aspects.
  • Maintain and grow the customer database using specific business strategies and execution tactics agreed with team members.
  • Resolve quality assurance issues and diagnose technical problems related to products and relevant specifications.
• Understand technical intricacies of associated products to position, present, and apply based on customer needs.
• Ensure compliance and support company policies, procedures, and objectives.
• Monitor market trends and recommend necessary business strategies.
• Monitor competitor performance and recommend product/technology & commercial development strategies as required.
• Support with industry/market information relevant for the product development gate process.
• Participate in conferences, either exhibiting, presenting or attending, to gather strategic market insights.

• Education:
  
  Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Natural Sciences. Additional Business Administration degree is a plus.
• Experience:
  
  5-10 years in Product/Application Engineering with some or all portion in Business Development/Program Management.

• Knowledge of practical application of engineering science and technology. Emissions ceramics products, coater and canner experience preferred.
• Self‑starter with ability to work in multicultural environments.
• Strong customer interface and negotiation skills.
• Ability to apply logic and reasoning to identify strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, computer literate.

Office environment. Overtime may be required to meet deadlines of assigned tasks. Domestic and international travel is required. Frequent conference calls with Japanese and European colleagues.