Automotive Specialist
- SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES
The Automotive Specialist is responsible for leading our North American Sales and Marketing efforts in the Automotive segment. This position supports the Business Unit Director in managing segment products and has direct sales responsibility for OEM accounts. A key focus for this position is building relationships within the engineering technical centers, purchasing and plants to increase business and generate engineering approvals. The Automotive Specialist is also responsible for developing marketing programs and products in this segment. This includes product specification approvals, new product introductions, analyzing sales channels and competition, training field personnel, and literature and promotion development.
Preferred North East or Midwest location.
PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES
•Build and maintain contact with key decision-makers in the automotive and industrial markets including engineers and manufacturing plant personnel.
•Participate in joint sales calls with distributors and territory managers.
•Direct sales responsibility at house accounts. This is primarily limited to OEMs sold on a direct basis.
•Secure and maintain approvals of ABI products at OEMs and Tier accounts.
•Compilation and analysis of market trends and data used to establish sales terms, pricing, and field support programs.
•Conduct market research as requested by the Director of Marketing.
•Support field sales and distributors through a joint account development program.
•Develop and implement sales and product promotions designed to expand the sale of automotive products.
•Maintain competitive information and design programs to position ABI as the market leader in areas of responsibility.
•Serve as an application specialist to field both customer inquiries and territory manager questions. The Automotive Specialist will recommend products for evaluation and assist in the sales effort. Supervision of testing protocol and progress with company’s R&D department is also an important function.
QUALIFICATIONS and EDUCTION REQUIREMENTS.
•Preferred candidate will have a minimum of three (3) years sales experience.
•Additional qualifications should include:
•Must be able to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing.
•Ability to understand technology and technical issues.
•Strong project management skills.
•Effective use of technology and software, including Surface/laptop, email, and Microsoft Suite.
•Excellent people and customer relationship skills.
•Effective presentation and meeting skills. Able to sell new concepts or ideas.
•Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Business and/or technical discipline.
•Multi-lingual a plus.