UGN, a world class manufacturer of acoustic, interior trim, and thermal management products for the Japanese transplant automotive industry in North America, is seeking an Account Manager to join our team in Tinley Park, Illinois.

Summary

The Account Manager has responsibility for a designated customer (Japanese automotive customer). In addition, they manage day to day commercial activities, such as engineering changes; support the Director of Business Development or Director of Sales to increase market share, develop business relationships, introduce new technologies and disseminate information to the various support groups within UGN.  This position is based out of our corporate headquarters in Tinley Park, Illinois.

Responsibilities:

  • Support the Director of Business Development to maintain current level of business at each customer and to be fully conversant to future strategies, activities or requirements of the customer.
  • Support the coordination of all business activities of a given customer. Ensure that cash that is owed to UGN from the customer is collected on a timely manner.
  • Properly communicate to applicable plants and departments a customer’s visit expectations.
  • Maintain awareness of competitor’s activities at the customer.
  • Explore new business opportunities to increase market share, technology innovations and new products.
  • Support the development of strategies by platform for new business opportunities at each customer, which includes platform, targeted parts, internal strengths and weaknesses, and competitor’s strengths and weaknesses.
  • Build customer relationships to promote, enhance and expand UGN’s position within the OEM and our reputation as a full range acoustical/interior trim producer.
  • Quote current and potential business opportunities.
  • Make a continuous effort to increase profit margins on all associate parts.
  • Responsible for all commercial issues related to engineering changes in support of Program Management.
  • Act as a lead in managing day to day activities on all current programs.
  • Support value add/value engineering activities by the plants, engineering and purchasing.
  • Assist Product Engineering with programs and projects at the customer technical center.
  • Develop an internal proposal for customers’ annual price reductions in a timely manner for approval.
  • Domestic and international travel as required to support commercial and technical related discussions with Nittoku, Autoneum and our customers.
  • Shared responsibility with the Director of Business Development for the establishment of the yearly volume and price forecast, regular maintenance of the UGN database and yearly entry of forecasted data.
  • Other duties may be assigned.
  • This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of five years related experience in the automotive industry.  Masters or MBA is a plus.
  • Ability to respond effectively to inquiries from customers.
  • Must possess strong negotiating, strategic thinking, execution, teamwork, situational leadership and planning skills.
  • Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills are required.
  • Demonstrated sales ability and “presence” to deal effectively with senior-level contacts.
  • Significant network of contacts and ability to network in the defined market.
  • Ability to travel domestically and internationally (estimated at 20%).
  • Previous experience working within the Japanese business culture and/or working with the Japanese automotive industry.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook; project management software.

To apply, please email your resume to Lisa Jurack at li*********@ug*****.com