Account Manager- Automotive Customers

Your journey to a meaningful career starts with ZF LIFETEC

Account Manager - New Automotive Customers

Location: CA, US

At ZF LIFETEC, we save lives through cutting‑edge technology. With over 60 years of automotive safety innovation, we blend start‑up agility with corporate stability to drive meaningful impact worldwide. Operating across 51 locations in 22 countries, our global presence amplifies our mission to make roads safer and save lives.

Join us in a supportive and dynamic environment committed to safety, innovation, and reliability. As a part of our international team, your contributions spark industry‑leading innovations in automotive safety. Our inclusive and diverse working environment promotes creativity, career growth, and continuous development.

This is a role which requires commercial savvy and business acumen. The Account Manager is responsible for both the support of existing business, as well as the development of future business potential. Position is responsible to support leading and emerging New Automotive Customers (NACs) in the Americas region. There is tough competition in our business sector and rigorous financial pressures, so the position requires financial aptitude and a comfort level 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 towards technical, economic, and quality requirements, create best technical and economic conditions.
• Define actions within framework of specified standards and guidelines.
• Drive and present all aspects of GDPEP 1-2 (approval to quote, quote release approval).
• Preparing offer and/or be co‑partner in offer process.
• Clarify any discrepancies and work out resolutions together 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), if necessary. Suggest and initiate corrective measures, pro‑active coordination.
• Monitor success and report on the status of the project and account.
• Face of company/voice of customer, lead communication of customer feedback internally to drive organization and vice versa as face of company to the customer.

• Track product CV and related POs 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 order 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.
• Requires minimum 4 years of progressive experience in business with at least 3 year direct sales experience.
• Experience negotiating CapEX, Tooling and Product pricing.
• Experience in 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. Must be able to perform under stressful conditions and meet immediate or short‑lead time deadlines.
• Thinks strategically and considers the long‑term view.
• Be able to work in a high dynamic organization and to work under pressure. Team player as part of a global sales team.
• Strong in MS Office (Excel/PowerPoint/Word).
• Solid leadership, analytical, project management, facilitation, and problem‑solving skills.
• Winning mentality and persuasion skills as well as a high level of integrity and professionalism.
• Energetic, responsive team player who is keen to take initiatives.
• Proa…