Account Director

Account Director

The Account Director role is a key role and will be responsible for a key Global Business Segment. The role serves as the liaison between the customer in all matters regarding the customer, contracts, and customer development.

Responsible for Customer P&L & Strategy

• P&L responsibility of a customer driven business enterprise operating in a matrix organization comprised of cross-functional managers: program manager, sales, application engineers, NPI, quality, customer desk, industrialization, finance.
• Responsible for strategy development worldwide (global account management) of the account, daily management of launches, risk and cost management as well as new business development at existing and unserved customers.
• Drive excellence in customer service (quality, delivery, value, pricing strategy) and product development for the relevant technologies.
• Interface accordingly with each functional leaders to ensure a smooth deployment of customer and company goals throughout the matrix organisation, set team objectives and conduct IPMD jointly with functional leaders.
• Communicate precisely and objectively with functional leaders and other business teams to ensure standardize processes and best practices sharing.       
• Implement agreed business metrics to a multi-discipline team and ensure proper execution : revenues, gross margin, customer quality PPM, new business wins, % past dues, forecast accuracy metrics, % LRR completion, pricing target, homologation target, customer terms and conditions.
• Manage a business enterprise in a matrix organization comprised of cross-functional managers: program manager, sales, application engineers, NPI, quality, customer desk, industrialization.
• Meet aggressive financial targets and manage P&L of the account.
• Drive customer satisfaction: quality, delivery, technology deployment, pricing strategy.
• Set out 3-5 years Strategy, gain management agreement, and set team objectives accordingly.
• Responsible for AOP, STRAP, MRR

Cross Functional & Team Management

• Define prioritised list of projects and related cross-functional resource requirements.
• Prepare AOP according to planned projects including specific capital expenditure.
• Manage each project from concept to launch following the Product Excellence Process and QS9000 within time, cost, and budget targets. Organize prompt resolution of field problems and warranty issues.
• Provide strong leadership and vision for future business development.
• Drive the application of Six Sigma, DFSS and Customer Excellence to their full potential.
• Report Team activities and action plans on a monthly basis, as well as key issues each week.
• Maintain close relationship with other team managers to ensure the evolution of the Customer Team concept follows a global approach.
• Develop and attract talents and remove barriers to performance by implementing robust management processes, tools and resources.

Knowledge & Skills

University degree economics, MBA a plus

Engineering degree would be a plus

Minimum 10 years’ experience in cross-functional team management in the automotive and/or aerospace industry

Strong functional background in operations, engineering sales and marketing

Successful track record in customer negotiations and strategy development

English a must; additional language depending on customer (German, French or Italian)

Other Requirements

Growth and customer focus

Passion for the automotive industry and technology

Leadership Impact and global mind-set

General management skills and integrative thinker

Ability to deliver results in a complex environment managing conflicting goals

Effective communicator

Flawless product launches on time and within budget

Six Sigma/DFFS targets integrated into product management and process development