Account Manager (Business Development)

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.

I. BASIC FUNCTIONS
The Account Manager would be responsible for maintaining and developing new relationships in the fields of Direct Air Capture (DAC), Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) Upgrading to begin with. The person is expected to have / develop a good knowledge of the industry stakeholders to effectively work with them and support Business decisions for NGK. The person would also be the face of NGK at industry coalitions and lobby groups for DAC and RNG. 

The Account Manager would also be a key member supporting the technical aspects supporting discussions with the product development teams in US, Japan and other members of NGK around the world thereby linking the entire NGK world with updates on the North American experience and activities. The person is also expected to be flexible to adopt and adapt new technologies for exploring new allied industries for various use cases as it may be become relevant.

II. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Researches and reports information on the performance of company technologies as well as competing technologies within the Customer base.
• Increase the Customer portfolio by promoting technologies to new Customers
• Aids in the development and application of products to fulfill customer needs.
• Confers with existing and prospective customers and assesses customer needs.
• Promotes and implements technical products and services into customer development and production programs.
• Responsibilities include providing product functionality and capability reports and acting as technical liaison both internally and externally.
• Responsible for communication between NGK and customers and acts as the liaison for the commercial and technical aspects of the business.
• Communicates internally on regular basis with other global offices, including Europe and Japan.

• Lead responsibility:
  • For creating Budget files twice, a year with concurrence of the team members
  • For monitoring sales and delivery figures related to the budget files
  • Preparation of proposals, contract negotiation and changes with the Customers
  • For all interactions with customers on technical and commercial aspects
  • For maintaining and growing the customer database by formulating specific business strategies and execution tactics as agreed with team members
  • For resolving Quality Assurance (QA) issues and diagnostics of technical problems related to the products and relevant specifications.
• Understands the technical intricacies of the associated products to position, present and apply based on the Customer needs
• Ensures Compliance and support of company policies, procedures and objectives
• Monitors market trends and recommend necessary business strategies.
• Monitors competitor performance and recommend product/technology & commercial development strategies as required. Anticipates possible future actions of the competition.
• Support with Industry / market information relevant for the Product Development Gate Process to support a flawless launch
• Participates in conferences either exhibiting, presenting or attending to gather key strategic market insights which drive strategic decisions.

III. QUALIFICATIONS

Education :
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Natural Sciences. Additional Business Administration Degree a plus.
Experience:
5 - 10 years of Experience in Product / Application Engineering Role with some or entire portion in Business Development / Program Management Role would be preferred
Preferred work sectors:
Pharmaceutical Industry; Oil & Gas Industry; Carbon Capture Industry; Intermediate Chemicals
Skills / Aptitude:

• Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. Emissions ceramics products, Coater and Canner experience preferred. 
• Self-starter with ability to work in multi-cultural environments
• Strong customer interface and negotiation skills.
• Ability to apply logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent inter-personal skills, computer literate

Work Environment:
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.