Key Account Manager – Automotive / Mechatronics Location: Troy, MI (On-site, Monday–Friday) Compensation:$130,000–$150,000 base + performance bonus + car allowance
I'm recruiting on behalf of a long-established organization in Troy, MI. They represent leading global suppliers in electric motors, mechatronics and related components, with particularly strong business in automotive and adjacent sectors.
They're a small, highly technical, relationship-driven team that is growing, and they're looking for a Key Account Manager who can own major accounts and operate with a high degree of independence.
The Opportunity
This is not a maintenance only sales role. You'll:
Take over several key accounts with a large existing book of business (including a major European account and a significant automotive customer with constant RFQs and projects in play).
Be the day-to-day owner of these customers – managing RFQs, pricing issues, engineering changes, launches, and the many good and bad realities of automotive.
Free up the Sales Director/Owner so he can focus on strategy, supplier conferences, and broader business development – which means you'll be trusted and visible from day one.
Support growth into non-automotive applications (e.g. off‑highway, robotics, other electrification opportunities) using the company's strong automotive capabilities as a foundation.
Operate as part of a small, collaborative team where everyone is close to the detail and there's flexibility in how accounts are ultimately allocated based on your strengths.
What You'll Be Doing
Key Account Ownership
Manage 2–4 major accounts with significant current revenue.
Handle ongoing RFQs, quotations and commercial negotiations.
Coordinate with European and other global contacts (including occasional travel to Europe for customer and supplier meetings).
Day-to-Day Customer Management
Be the primary point of contact for engineering, purchasing, and program teams.
Resolve issues around quality, delivery, cost, and engineering changes.
Support program launches (including launches in Mexico) and manage the inevitable firefighting that comes with them.
Business Development
Identify and pursue new opportunities within existing key accounts.
Help scout and develop new accounts and industries (e.g. off‑highway, robotics) where the company's technical capabilities fit.
Work closely with principals/suppliers on joint strategies to grow business.
Internal Collaboration
Work with other account managers and a younger, developing team member – backing each other up as needed.
Interface closely with principals/suppliers to align on pricing, capacity, and technical proposals.
What They're Looking For
Because they're a lean team, independence and maturity are critical. They are deliberately pitching this at a higher salary band because they want someone who can come up to speed quickly and be trusted with major customers.
Ideal profile:
Background
Strong experience in automotive or closely related industrial sectors.
Exposure to electromechanical / mechatronics products (e.g. motors, bearings, actuators, electric drive components) is a significant plus.
Experience as a Key Account Manager, Sales Engineer, Application Engineer, or similar customer-facing technical role.
Technical & Commercial Aptitude
Mechanical engineering or similar technical degree is preferred but not strictly required; a strong technical aptitude with proven success in technical/automotive sales will also be considered.
Comfortable working with engineering teams and purchasing on complex programs, RFQs, and long automotive life cycles.
Personal Fit
Based in Metro Detroit (or committed to being here long term) – they value stability and want someone who intends to build a career, not just take a stop‑gap role.
Happy to work on-site in Troy Monday–Friday – this is an in-office culture, with flexibility for personal appointments but not a hybrid/remote setup.
Proactive, organized, and able to juggle multiple programs and stakeholders without constant hand-holding.
Strong communicator – clear, timely and comfortable representing both the customer and the supplier's interests.
Compensation & Progression
Base salary:$130,000–$150,000, depending on experience.
Bonus: Performance-based bonus with real upside for high performers and business winners.
Car allowance provided.
The company is a smaller manufacturers' rep, so title progression is less important than earning progression.
For a genuine high performer who wins new business and/or brings in new principals, there is meaningful upside on total compensati