Account Manager - Ford

Your journey to a meaningful career starts with ZF LIFETEC This is a role which requires commercial savvy and business acumen. The Account Manager I is responsible for both the support of existing business, as well as the development of future business potential. Position is responsible to support Ford 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 in Washington, Michigan. Your Tasks Check and specify RFQ requirements/project goals for Ford 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 Cost Variance (CV) and related POs in association with KAM/ BAM Team. Process POs in the ZF system, Maintain order tracker with PO status, approve, track, and ensure goods receipt closure for order shipments, Work as liaison between 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. Your Profile Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in Business, Engineering, or related discipline with project management experience. Requires 6–8 years of progressive experience in business / project management with at least 3 years direct sales experience. 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) with high level of coding in Excel for data set analysis. 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. Proactive, organized, and accuracy with attention to detail. Professional communications skills both verbally and in writing with mandatory fluency in English required. Domestic/International travel required on an as needed basis. Frequent travel required to support customer. Our company is committed to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity and to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you are interested in applying for employment with us and are in need of accommodation or special assistance to navigate our website or to complete your application, please contact us. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be considered on a case‑by‑case basis. ZF is an Equal Opportunity and affirmative 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/Affirmative Action Employer M/F/Disability/Veteran #J-18808-Ljbffr ZF LIFETEC