Join a global automotive technology leader as a Key Account Sales Manager in Tokyo, taking commercial ownership of key automotive OEM accounts and driving profitable business growth in the rapidly expanding electrification and future mobility sector.
This position combines automotive key account management, B2B sales strategy, pricing, commercial negotiations and business development. You will develop customer strategies, manage revenue and profitability, and lead complex negotiations while serving as the primary commercial interface between automotive OEM customers and internal teams.
Working closely with engineering, project management and global stakeholders, you will represent customer requirements across quality, cost and delivery (QCD) while supporting advanced technology proposals covering powertrain, drivetrain and electrification solutions.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage commercial operations and strategic business growth for assigned automotive OEM key accounts.
- Develop and execute comprehensive customer business strategies, market analyses, sales plans and forecasts.
- Drive profitable order acquisition and identify opportunities to expand existing customer accounts.
- Develop pricing and commercial strategies aligned with customer requirements and business objectives.
- Lead complex commercial negotiations covering pricing, inflation adjustments, contractual terms and volume conditions.
- Represent customer requirements for quality, cost and delivery (QCD) to internal project and engineering teams.
- Monitor account performance, profitability and commercial risks.
- Report business progress, account profitability and market insights to executive management.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with engineering and project management teams to support customer programs.
- Support customer presentations and the promotion of advanced engineering technology roadmaps.
- Provide functional leadership and guidance to the account management team.
- Collaborate with European offices, international teams and global joint ventures on customer and commercial activities.
Required Skills and Qualifications
Experience:
- Minimum 5 years of sales experience within the manufacturing industry.
- Experience in automotive Key Account Management is highly relevant, ideally within a Tier 1 or Tier 2 automotive supplier serving Japanese OEM customers.
- Strong product knowledge in automotive powertrain, electrification or drivetrain components.
- Relevant product knowledge may include e-Axles, inverters, chargers, alternators or clutches.
- Proven experience leading complex commercial and pricing negotiations.
- Track record in team management and budget oversight.
Soft Skills:
- Strong leadership and team management capabilities.
- Commercial mindset with the ability to balance revenue growth, profitability and long-term customer relationships.
- Excellent negotiation skills for managing complex, high-value commercial discussions.
- Global mindset with the ability to collaborate across international teams, offices and joint ventures.
- Strong stakeholder management skills for working with automotive OEM customers, engineering teams, project management and senior leadership.
- Ability to translate customer requirements into clear commercial and operational priorities for internal teams.
Language Requirements:
- Japanese: Fluent / Business level
- English: Fluent / Business level
- Ability to manage customer relationships and internal site coordination in Japanese while using English for global meetings, documentation and international collaboration.
Preferred Skills & Qualifications
- Previous experience working for a global or foreign automotive supplier.
- Key Account Management experience with strong exposure to Japanese automotive OEM customers.
- Experience with automotive electrification, electric powertrain or drivetrain products.
- Experience working with international offices or global joint ventures.
About the Company
Our client is a global automotive technology leader delivering advanced solutions across thermal management, electric powertrain, autonomous driving and automotive lighting systems.
Its power division develops innovative electrification technologies and works closely with global vehicle manufacturers to support the transition toward next-generation mobility.
With international engineering and commercial operations, the organisation provides an environment where sales teams work closely with technical specialists, European offices and global joint ventures to develop strategic automotive business.
Why You'll Love Working Here
- Strategic account ownership: Take commercial responsibility for major automotive OEM accounts and influence long-term customer strategy.
- Electrification and future mobility: Build business around advanced powertrain, drivetrain and electrification technologies.
- High-value negotiations: Lead significant component pricing and commercial negotiations within the automotive industry.
- International exposure: Collaborate with European offices, global teams and international joint ventures.
- Cross-functional influence: Work closely with engineering and project management teams on customer programs and technology roadmaps.
- Leadership opportunity: Provide functional guidance to the account management team while developing broader commercial leadership experience.
- Local autonomy: Take ownership of customer and commercial decisions while operating within a global organisation.
- Flexible working: Benefit from up to 2 days of remote work per week and generous holiday periods.
- Career development: Access clear opportunities for internal career progression within a global automotive technology company.
Don't Miss Out - Apply Now!
