Sales Engineer

Sales Engineer - Metal Textiles Corp

About the Company

We are a leading provider of engineered solutions serving the automotive, industrial, and manufacturing sectors. Our commitment to technical excellence, customer collaboration, and continuous innovation drives our success. We value individuals who combine strong business acumen with technical understanding to deliver exceptional value to our customers and contribute to our growth.

Position Summary

The Customer Account Manager is responsible for leading key customer relationships, driving profitable growth, and managing complex commercial and technical programs within assigned industrial and automotive markets. This individual serves as the primary commercial liaison between customers and internal departments — including R&D, Quality, and Operations — ensuring technical alignment, on-time project delivery, and customer satisfaction. The ideal candidate combines strategic sales capability with an understanding of engineered products and manufacturing processes.

Salary: &90k - $100k

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Customer & Market Development

• Build and maintain long-term customer partnerships to drive growth in assigned markets.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for commercial discussions, including quotations, pricing, and contract terms.
• Identify new business opportunities and develop strategies to expand market share.
• Prepare and deliver professional customer presentations introducing capabilities, solutions, and project updates.
• Act as the customer’s advocate within the organization, ensuring all functional teams understand customer expectations and priorities.
• Note - Up to 20% travel within North America (primarily in the U.S.) required.

Commercial Management

• Lead costing and quotation activities for new and existing programs, coordinating with Engineering, Operations, and Finance.
• Develop and present pricing proposals for internal approval and negotiation with customers.
• Manage commercial performance metrics, including sales growth, margin improvement, and profitability targets.
• Participate in strategic contract negotiations, balancing customer satisfaction with company objectives.
• Contribute to annual sales forecasts, market analysis, and competitive positioning strategies.

Technical & Project Coordination

• Work collaboratively with R&D and Mfg. Engineering teams to ensure product designs meet customer specifications, cost targets, and timing requirements.
• Develop and maintain project plans using Gantt charts or equivalent tools to track milestones and deliverables.
• Manage customer-specific project elements, including APQP documentation, drawings, specifications, and prototype validation.
• Oversee timing for tooling, sample builds, and initial production, ensuring alignment with customer schedules.
• Support resolution of technical issues during program launch and production phases.

Reporting & Strategic Planning

• Develop and maintain key account metrics, reports, and dashboards to track project and financial performance.
• Prepare business reviews and present results to senior management and customers.
• Collaborate with internal teams to develop 90-day and annual business forecasts for assigned customers.
• Support budget planning and strategic growth initiatives for target markets.
• Maintain accurate data in CRM and customer portals as required.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Coordinate with Quality, Operations, Supply Chain, and Customer Service teams to ensure customer satisfaction across all touchpoints.
• Provide clear communication and escalation of customer concerns and project risks.
• Foster a team environment focused on proactive issue resolution and continuous improvement.
• Represent the company professionally at trade shows, customer meetings, and industry events.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position has no direct reports but requires strong leadership through influence. The Customer Account Manager will coordinate cross-functional activities with internal stakeholders and guide dedicated customer service and program support personnel.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university required; a degree in Business, Engineering, or a related technical field preferred.
• Minimum of five years of experience in technical sales, account management, or engineering within the automotive or industrial manufacturing sectors.
• Proven record of success in customer relationship management and commercial negotiation.
• Understanding of manufacturing processes, cost structures, and engineering drawings.
• Familiarity with IATF 16949, ISO 9001, or AS 9100 quality standards preferred.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to manage complex negotiations and achieve profitable outcomes.
• Technical aptitude with the ability to interpret drawings, specifications, and tolerance requirements.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to interact at all organizational levels.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and project management tools; experience with CRM and ERP systems such as NetSuite preferred.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Demonstrated professionalism, initiative, and accountability in all customer interactions.

Performance Expectations

Success in this role will be measured by:

• Achievement of annual sales and gross profit targets.
• Customer satisfaction, retention, and growth metrics.
• On-time delivery of program milestones and new business launches.
• Effective collaboration across internal and external teams.

BENEFITS

• 401(k)
• Medical and Dental insurance, Vision and Prescription
• Employee discounts (GM, NJ Manufacturers)
• Flexible spending account
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development
• Referral program