Sales Manager at Lear in Southfield, MI

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Job Description

SALES MANAGER

SOUTHFIELD, MI – WORLD HQ

Job Description

As a Sales Manager at Lear, a Tier 1 supplier of automotive seating systems, you will be responsible for managing and growing customer accounts, leading commercial activities, and driving strategic sales initiatives with OEM clients. You will serve as the primary liaison between the customer and internal cross-functional teams, ensuring strong relationships, profitable programs, and customer satisfaction.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities:

• Account Management: Manage assigned OEM accounts (e.g., GM, Ford, Stellantis), acting as the voice of the customer internally and ensuring alignment between customer requirements and company capabilities.
• Commercial Leadership: Lead pricing negotiations, quote development, and contract discussions. Analyze cost structures and support margin improvement initiatives.
• Customer Interface: Develop and maintain strong relationships with purchasing, engineering, and program management teams at OEMs. Serve as the first point of contact for commercial topics.
• Program Development Support: Collaborate with internal engineering, program management, and manufacturing teams to support the launch and life-cycle management of seating programs.
• Business Growth: Identify and pursue new business opportunities with existing and prospective OEM customers. Support the RFQ (Request for Quotation) process and track new business wins.
• Forecasting & Reporting: Prepare and maintain sales forecasts, revenue projections, and competitive analyses. Provide regular reports to leadership on sales performance and market trends.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with product development, operations, purchasing, and finance to ensure program feasibility and cost competitiveness.
• Must be highly organized.
• Must be a self-starter, highly motivated and also work well in a team environment.
• Possess strong leadership skills.
• Must be able communicate and understand simple finance.
• Possess strong verbal/written communication skills.
• Proficient with MS office software: Word, Excel, PowerPoint. Experience with Project is a plus.
• Willingness and ability to travel for extended periods domestic and international
• Must be able to work in high pace demanding environment
• Must be able to work outside normal business hours

Experience Requirements

Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Engineering, or related field; MBA preferred.
• Minimum 5–8 years of sales or account management experience in the automotive industry; Tier 1 seating or interior experience strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to lead negotiations and manage OEM customer relationships.
• Strong understanding of automotive product development and manufacturing processes.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• High level of analytical, financial, and strategic thinking ability.
• Willingness to travel as required (up to 25–40%).
• Experience with GM Global Purchasing Systems (GPSC), Ford WERS/PPAP systems, or similar OEM tools.
• Working knowledge of APQP, PPAP, and launch processes in the automotive space.
• Familiarity with lean manufacturing and cost reduction principles.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Lear Corporation is committed to fair, merit‑based employment practices and equal opportunity.

We provide reasonable accommodations in accordance with applicable law. For assistance during the application process, contact your recruiter directly.

Applicants must submit their resume for consideration using our applicant tracking system. Due to the high volume of applications received, only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the country where the position is located. Unsolicited resumes from search firms, employment agencies, or similar, will not be paid a fee and will become the property of Lear Corporation.