Senior Sales Manager - Ford NA & Global Account Coordination

Your journey to a meaningful career starts with ZF LIFETEC

ZF LIFETEC is a leading supplier of passive safety systems, delivering advanced technologies that enhance vehicle safety and protect lives. As a strategic partner to Ford Motor Company, ZF LIFETEC plays a critical role in supporting Ford’s global vehicle programs.

Senior Sales Manager – Ford NA & Global Account Coordination is responsible for owning and leading the commercial relationship with Ford North America while ensuring global alignment of account strategy and execution. This role serves as the primary point of contact for all commercial matters and drives business growth, profitability, and long-term partnership development.

Reporting to the Vice President, Sales, this position operates at the intersection of strategy, customer leadership, and cross‑functional execution within a global matrix organization.

• Own and lead the Ford North America account strategy, ensuring alignment across regions, product lines, and functions
• Build and maintain strong, trust‑based relationships with Ford’s buyers and leadership teams
• Position ZF LIFETEC as a strategic partner through proactive engagement and value‑driven solutions
• Drive revenue growth, sustainable profitability, and cash performance in line with company targets
• Lead pricing strategies, contract negotiations, and long‑term commercial agreements
• Ensure compliance with company commercial policies and contractual obligations
• Coordinate sales forecasting, account reporting, and pipeline management, ensuring data accuracy and transparency. Maintain PBI reporting updated, including claims and recoveries

• Identify, develop, and secure new business opportunities to expand ZF LIFETEC’s market share with Ford
• Lead structured sales (“hunting”) activities, including battle planning, and capture strategies to win new programs
• Oversee quotation processes, ensuring competitive, high‑quality, and on‑time submissions

• Lead and coordinate a global, cross‑regional sales team within a matrix organization (direct and indirect reports)
• Collaborate closely with engineering, program management, finance, quality, and operations to deliver customer commitments
• Drive alignment across functions to ensure flawless execution and customer satisfaction
• Capture and translate Voice of Customer (VoC) insights into actionable strategies
• Monitor market trends, competitive landscape, and customer requirements to inform business decisions
• Influence internal stakeholders to adapt strategies that strengthen competitive positioning

• Develop team capabilities through coaching, guidance, and process training

• Strong strategic thinking and ability to translate market insights into business opportunities
• Proven success in complex negotiations and commercial deal‑making
• Solid financial acumen, including profitability and cost management
• Executive‑level communication and influencing skills
• Ability to lead in a global, matrix environment with cross‑functional stakeholders
• High level of integrity, accountability, and ownership
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving capabilities
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced, high‑pressure environment

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, or related field required; MBA preferred
• At least 10+ years of experience in sales, account management, or business development within the automotive industry
• Prior progressive leadership or team management experience
• Proven experience managing key global OEM accounts (Ford experience strongly preferred)
• Experience in passive safety systems or automotive components is highly desirable
• Demonstrated success in securing new business and managing multi‑million‑dollar accounts
• Experience operating in a global matrix organization with cross‑regional collaboration
• Strong network within OEM organizations, particularly at senior levels

• Fluency in English required
• German language skills are a plus
• Frequent travel to customer (locally)
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as required

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