Account Manager- Automotive Customers

Account Manager – New Automotive Customers

Your journey to a meaningful career starts with ZF LIFETEC

This position requires commercial savvy and business acumen. The Account Manager supports existing business and develops future business potential for leading and emerging New Automotive Customers (NACs) in the Americas. The role demands financial aptitude and comfort in working with highly technical products. The position is located in Pleasanton, California.

• Check and specify RFQ requirements/project goals for NAC customers.
• Involve, coordinate, and drive internal stakeholders.
• Challenge internal stakeholder toward technical, economic, and quality requirements, creating best technical and economic conditions.
• Define actions within the framework of specified standards and guidelines.
• Drive and present all aspects of GDPEP 1-2 (approval to quote, quote release approval).
• Prepare offer and/or co-partner in offer process.
• Clarify any discrepancies and work out resolutions with KAM/BAM team.
• Bring in commercial view, targets, and tasks.
• Drive change management, check and evaluate costs and present, if necessary, in CQA meetings.
• Track compliance with the goals (quality, costs, and deadlines); suggest and initiate corrective measures and proactive coordination.
• Monitor success and report on the status of the project and account.
• Act as the face of the company/voice of the customer, leading communication of customer feedback internally to drive organization and vice versa.

• Track product CV and related PO in association with KAM/BAM Team.
• Process POs in the ZF LIFETEC system.
• Maintain order tracker with PO status, approve, track, and ensure goods receipt closure for shipments.
• Work as liaison between NAC customers and KAM/BAM Team, Engineering, and Program Management to communicate issues with on-time deliveries, prototype purchase orders, and other discrepancies.
• Record, track, and determine quarterly raw material inflation; support KAM/BAM Team with Claim Recovery.
• Work with Finance and Accounts Receivable (A/R) departments to resolve invoice and payment issues.

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in Business or related discipline.
• Minimum 4 years of progressive experience in business with at least 3 years of direct sales experience.
• Experience negotiating CapEX, Tooling, and Product pricing.
• Experience working in a global, cross‑functional organizational structure.
• Proactive cooperation to work with a wide variety of functions/individuals within and across the organization at all levels, internally and externally.
• Ability to juggle competing demands and adapt to different situations; perform under stressful conditions and meet immediate or short‑lead time deadlines.
• Strategic thinker who considers the long‑term view.
• Strong MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) skills.
• Solid leadership, analytical, project management, facilitation, and problem‑solving skills.
• Winning mentality, persuasion skills, high level of integrity, professionalism, and energetic, responsive team spirit.
• Proactive, organized, and accurate with attention to detail.
• Professional communication skills both verbally and in writing; mandatory fluency in English required.
• Domestic/International travel required on an as‑needed basis; frequent travel to support customers.

ZF is an Equal Opportunity and Affiliated Action Employer and is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job‑related reasons regardless of an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, marital status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law. Equal Employment Opportunity / Affinity Action Employer M/F/Disability/Veteran.