Technical Sales Manager

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, Business, or a related field

• 3 years of technical sales experience in a manufacturing environment (automotive experience preferred)

• Exposure to injection molding, machining, gears, and electro-mechanical actuators or similar technologies

• Experience managing long, complex sales cycles and multiple customer stakeholders

• Strong understanding of cost structures, including the ability to support detailed product cost calculations in collaboration with Engineering and Purchasing

• Familiarity with AIAG APQP and IATF 16949 quality standards

• Ability to read and interpret customer drawings and technical documentation

• Skills & Attributes

  • Strong relationship-building skills with both customers and cross-functional teams

  • Highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment

  • Curious, adaptable, and motivated to continuously learn

  • Analytical thinker with strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities

  • Confident working independently while thriving in a collaborative team environment

  • Excellent communication and negotiation skills, both written and verbal

  • Comfortable navigating conflict and working effectively in diverse, international environments

• Additional Information

  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications

  • Willingness to travel domestically and internationally (approximately 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!