Technical Sales Manager

Job Type: Location Type: Not Specified

 

Drive growth and innovation with IMS Gear! As a Technical Sales Manager, you’ll lead sales efforts in the automotive market for advanced plastic and metal components, including complete actuators. This role involves building strong customer relationships across the U.S. and Mexico, with regular travel and close collaboration with global teams in Germany and beyond.

You’ll deliver competitive, technically sound proposals and partner with Purchasing, Engineering, Quality, and Management to create solutions that exceed customer expectations. Success requires sharp business acumen, strong communication skills, and technical expertise to present products confidently and drive results.

Key Responsibilities:

• Cultivate contacts and build relationships across the organization with existing customers as well as develop new customers
• Present IMS Gear products to customers and facilitate technical reviews / responses to questions
• Review customer inquiries and prepare them for internal presentation/selection
• Confirm customer specifications and facilitate the technical analysis (feasibility, tolerances) in cooperation with IMS Gear Engineering / R&D teams
• Evaluate economic aspects (e.g. capacity, investment, price target) and prepare calculation / business case according to company KPI’s
• Request and evaluate offers from suppliers in cooperation with the IMS Gear Purchasing department
• Prepare and present quotations to the customer; negotiate all aspects of customer contract including prices, processes, product design, material prices, schedules, and terms and conditions
• Negotiation and management of price adjustments and other contract changes with existing accounts (e.g. raw material cost compensation, change management, service parts, etc.)
• Support and coordinate with Project Management to ensure project development is on track and in accordance with product development process requirements
• Sales planning / forecasting for assigned customers and product segments (Market performance, potential, trends, price, customer potential, etc.)
• Continuously monitor the market and competitors and determine how to best position IMS Gear products
• Participation in marketing activities (e.g. fairs, tech shows)
• Support customer audits for new supplier assessment and quality development
• Generate opportunities in the CRM system and update the content regularly
• Monitor customer satisfaction; escalation of and support with customer complaints, including quality, capacity, and logistics issues
• Interact closely with internal Business Unit operations, Project Management, Engineering, and Purchasing teams
• Other duties as assigned

What We Are Looking For:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Business
• 3 plus years’ experience in a technical sales position, within a manufacturing environment (automotive industry preferred)
• Manufacturing experience required. Knowledge of injection molding, machining, gears, and electro-mechanical actuators or similar preferred
• Good Cost Understanding – Ability to put together complex/detailed product calculations based on data provided by Engineering/Purchasing
• Experience with custom-engineered and project specific products with long sales cycles (1-3 years)
• Experience working in a diverse, international environment (e.g. cultures, languages, time zones, etc.)
• Automotive industry experience preferred, including general knowledge of AIAG APQP process and IATF 16949 quality system requirements
• Strong communication & negotiation skills, both written and verbal
• Highly organized, detailed and demonstrates the ability to multi-task
• Open minded and willing to listen / learn
• Passionate about finding and promoting solutions to customers’ challenges
• A strong relationship builder (externally and internally)
• A critical thinker: able to consider the relative costs and benefits of potential solutions and choose the most appropriate option
• A team player, but able to stand firm when the need arises
• Conflict management skills; ability to prevent and resolve conflicts
• Ability to work proficiently with MS Office applications
• Ability to understand customer drawings
• German, Spanish and/or Japanese language skills are a plus
• Able and willing to travel domestically and internationally as needed (~25%)

IMS Gear is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We embrace individuals from all backgrounds and provide employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

We offer competitive pay, thorough training, and a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401(k) plan with company match, employer-paid life insurance, and short- and long-term disability.

Join us and become part of a dynamic team where your contributions matter!