What are the responsibilities and job description for the Key Account Manager - Home Appliance position at Sanhua International?
We are seeking a high-caliber Sales and Business Development professional with extensive experience in the North American Home Appliance and HVAC sectors. The ideal candidate isn’t just a salesperson; they are a market expert who "knows the business," understands the nuances of major OEMs, and possesses the professional common sense to bridge the gap between technical requirements and commercial success.
Key Responsibilities
Key Responsibilities
- Market Expansion: Lead strategic market penetration for home appliance/HVAC components across North America, focusing on Tier 1 OEMs and key regional distributors.
- Design-In & NPI Management: Navigate the full New Product Introduction (NPI) cycle. You will drive the process from initial sampling and certifications (UL/Energy Star) through to mass production.
- Strategic Value Selling: Identify customer pain points in new model development. Propose solutions and cost-optimization strategies that align with North American regulatory standards and OEM expectations.
- Full-Lifecycle Account Management: Serve as the primary liaison between the customer and the factory. Manage order forecasting, quality resolution (RMA/FA), and payment collections to ensure a healthy, long-term partnership.
- Competitive Intelligence: Track competitor pricing, local policy shifts, and technology trends to refine our North American go-to-market strategies.
- Cross-Functional Coordination: Collaborate with internal R&D and Logistics teams to ensure the global supply chain meets the high-frequency delivery demands of North American manufacturing.
- Experience: 5 years of B2B sales experience specifically within the North American Home Appliance or HVAC component industry.
- Industry Knowledge: Deep familiarity with the North American supply chain ecosystem and major players (e.g., Whirlpool, GEA, Electrolux, Samsung, LG, Miele, Hisense).
- Technical Aptitude: While an engineering degree is not mandatory, you must possess strong "technical common sense" and the ability to discuss component applications comfortably with engineering leads.
- Education: Bachelor’s Degree preferred. A technical background (ME/EE) is a plus but extensive market experience and a proven track record take precedence.
- Target Background: Prior experience working for or selling against major component manufacturers (e.g., Nidec, Robertshaw, Copreci) is a significant advantage.
- Travel: Willingness to travel 30-50% within North America for site visits and industry trade shows (KBIS, AHR Expo).
- Location: This position is remote; however, preference will be given to those in the local surrounding areas.
- The "Hunter" Mentality: You don't just manage accounts; you proactively identify "blue ocean" opportunities within established OEM departments.
- Business Fluency: A deep understanding of North American business etiquette and the ability to build high-level trust with local procurement and engineering heads.
- Resilience: The ability to navigate and close the long sales cycles (18-24 months) typical of the appliance industry.