What are the responsibilities and job description for the Key Account Manager - Steel - Ford Account position at Thornley Corporate Solutions?
Automotive Account Manager Major OEM Team (Detroit / Southfield, MI)Competitive salaryBonusIn officeI'm working with a global leader in advanced materials and industrial manufacturing to recruit a high-impact Automotive Account Manager for their OEM-focused commercial organisation. This role is dedicated to one of the most important US-based automotive customers and requires someone who understands the complexity, pace and expectations of working directly with a major OEM.If you have a strong track record in steel sales and direct Ford OEM account management, this opportunity will put your experience to work in a strategic, high-visibility position.The RoleAs the primary commercial interface to this OEM business unit, you will:Lead the end-to-end customer relationship for the assigned Ford business.Build and execute account plans tied to strategic objectives, customer programmes and multi-year commercial roadmaps.Develop relationships across purchasing, quality, engineering and program management within Ford.Negotiate pricing, claims, service issues, logistics topics and technical-commercial discussions.Coordinate with internal teams manufacturing, product development, quality, supply chain, logistics, finance and technical services to ensure flawless execution.Monitor OEM scorecards and KPIs across quality, delivery and cost performance, driving corrective actions when needed.Gather and share customer insights, competitor intelligence, market movements and product opportunities.Support forecasting processes, CRM updates and commercial reporting.What You Must BringThis is a specialised position, so the ideal candidate will have:Direct steel industry experience ideally flat-rolled, coated or automotive-grade steel products.Proven experience managing Ford Motor Company as a customer at either OEM or Tier-1 level.A bachelors degree in Business, Engineering, Materials, Sales or a related field.Strong commercial and technical sales experience within automotive supply chain environments.The ability to work effectively in a large, matrixed organisation with cross-functional teams.Strong communication, negotiation and relationship-building skills.Comfort using Excel (including pivot tables), CRM systems and analytical tools to support decisions.Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities smoothly.Location & TravelRole is based in the Detroit / Southfield area.Expect 25 to 35 percent travel across North America for OEM visits, plant meetings, technical reviews and internal coordination.Why This Opportunity MattersYoull represent one of the most respected players in steel, materials and industrial technology.Youll be front-and-center with Ford, supporting future mobility, EV programmes, lightweighting initiatives and next-generation platforms.Youll join a business with deep technical capability, strong customer commitment and substantial investment in innovation.Youll have the backing of global R&D, advanced product teams and a robust commercial support structure.Interested? Lets TalkIf you have steel experience and have worked directly with Ford, this role is built for someone like you.
Salary : $75,000 - $100,000