Sales Administrator

Founded in 1946, HI-LEX is a leading supplier of window regulators, door modules, power lift gate systems, and mechanical control cables primarily serving the automotive industry, but also the power sports, marine, construction equipment, and medical device sectors. Headquartered in Takarazuka, Japan (near Osaka), and listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), HI-LEX employs more than 12,000 associates across its global footprint. 

In the Americas region, HI-LEX has grown steadily in the region, and now has ten (10) manufacturing facilities across the the United States, Mexico, and Brazil. In the U.S., HI-LEX operates under three divisions: HI-LEX America in Battle Creek, Michigan; HI-LEX Controls in Hudson, Litchfield, and Hazel Park, Michigan; and Daedong HI-LEX of America in Cusseta, Alabama. The company’s automotive center is in Rochester Hills, Michigan which consists of finance, sales, engineering, testing, and program management, and will serve as the location for this position.
Website:  HI-LEX.com

POSITION SUMMARY:
In this role the associate will be responsible for the day to day management of the customer activities and sales related activities aligned to a customer(s) and product(s) representing HI-LEX. This role provides administrative support for commercial activities including the tracking, monitoring and reporting of sales-related data, management of contracts & pricing, recovery of prototype & production expenditures, travel planning and general administration of one or more customer accounts.

Success hinges on being organized and having a structured approach to daily activities,  understanding organizational and customer priorities and tactically executing activities that maintain and grow long-term commercial customer relationships. The opportunity offers a challenging and rewarding experience to positively impact HI-LEX's long-term vision by engaging with the customer and internal Cross-functional teams to inspire customer satisfaction.

KEY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Initiates, tracks & monitors the Request For Quotation (RFQ) process for sales quotation opportunities.
• Processes sales contracts, prototype orders, production purchase orders, service contracts & sample requests.
• Supports sales-related activities such as budgeting, forecasting & presentation development.
• Supports all prototype-related activities including planning, labeling, shipping, invoicing & cost-recovery.
• Leads activities associated with the cost-recovery of prototype & production tooling expenses.
• Calculates, logs and reports on profit contribution, margin improvement, customer satisfaction and other sales metrics.
• Identifies ways to improve product margins and increase company profits.
• Utilizes CRM tools to track, monitor and report on the status of customer programs and sales opportunities.
• Provides assistance with travel planning, receipt organization, expense request creation & other administrative tasks.
• Makes recommendations to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of sales processes & procedures.
• Promotes positive associate relations and work environment.
• Performs other duties as required.
   

Education 

• Minimum 2 yr  associated degree or 4-year college degree preferred.  Extensive experience in similar roles will be considered in lieu of associates degree requirement.
• Minimum 3-7 years previous work experience.

Functional Experience

• Above average computer skills with proficiency of MS office applications and/or Google Suite
• Excellent skills in excel / google sheets to manage data
• Knowledge of ERP systems preferred
• Experience with and knowledge CRM tools preferred

Industry Experience

• Exposure with one or more of the primary US customer base including GM, SLTA, Ford, Toyota, Honda and Nissan. (or)
• Exposure with start up EV customers (Tesla, Rivian, Scout, etc) is a plus.
• Exposure  in adjacent industries such as aftermarket,  recreational vehicles, equipment manufacturing is a plus.

Core Competencies

• Minimum 1-2 years business development, account management or sales experience with an automotive background.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to negotiate within defined boundaries, 
• Experience in sales organization process, procedures and ontology to evolve the current processes / systems
• Computer skills, preferably with above average proficiency of MS office applications.
• Experience with other sales-related software applications (CRM, ERP) is preferred.

Other Requirements 

• Sometimes lifts, carries or moves objects - up to 25 pounds.
• Office environment with noise from computer peripherals such as printers and plotters.
• Sometimes works around factory equipment.