Sales Administrator

About the Company

Founded in 1946, HI-LEX is a leading supplier of window regulators, door modules, power lift gate systems, and mechanical control cables primarily serving the automotive industry, as well as the power sports, marine, construction equipment, and medical device sectors. Headquartered in Takarazuka, Japan (near Osaka) and listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), HI-LEX employs more than 12,000 associates globally. In the Americas, HI-LEX operates ten manufacturing facilities across the United States, Mexico, and Brazil, with its U.S. automotive center located in Rochester Hills, Michigan, where this position is based.

About the Role

In this role, the associate will manage day-to-day customer and sales-related activities for assigned customer(s) and product(s) representing HI-LEX. This position provides administrative support for commercial activities, including tracking, monitoring, and reporting sales-related data, managing contracts and pricing, recovering prototype and production expenditures, travel planning, and general administration of customer accounts. Success requires strong organizational skills, a structured approach to daily tasks, and the ability to execute activities that maintain and grow long-term customer relationships.

Responsibilities

• Initiate, track, and monitor the Request For Quotation (RFQ) process for sales quotation opportunities.
• Process sales contracts, prototype orders, production purchase orders, service contracts, and sample requests.
• Support sales-related activities such as budgeting, forecasting, and presentation development.
• Support prototype-related activities, including planning, labeling, shipping, invoicing, and cost recovery.
• Lead activities associated with the cost recovery of prototype and production tooling expenses.
• Calculate, log, and report on profit contribution, margin improvement, customer satisfaction, and other sales metrics.
• Identify ways to improve product margins and increase company profits.
• Utilize CRM tools to track, monitor, and report on the status of customer programs and sales opportunities.
• Assist with travel planning, receipt organization, expense request creation, and other administrative tasks.
• Make recommendations to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of sales processes and procedures.
• Promote positive associate relations and work environment.
• Perform other duties as required.

Requirements

• Minimum 2-year associate degree or 4-year college degree preferred; extensive experience in similar roles may substitute for the degree requirement.
• Minimum 3–7 years of previous work experience.
• Above-average computer skills with proficiency in MS Office applications and/or Google Suite.
• Excellent skills in Excel/Google Sheets for data management.
• Knowledge of ERP systems preferred.
• Experience with CRM tools preferred.
• Exposure to one or more primary U.S. automotive customers (e.g., GM, Stellantis, Ford, Toyota, Honda, Nissan) or start-up EV customers (e.g., Tesla, Rivian, Scout) is a plus.
• Exposure to adjacent industries such as aftermarket, recreational vehicles, or equipment manufacturing is a plus.
• Minimum 1–2 years of business development, account management, or sales experience with an automotive background.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to negotiate within defined boundaries.
• Experience with sales organization processes, procedures, and systems to evolve current practices.

Other Requirements

• Occasionally lifts, carries, or moves objects up to 25 pounds.
• Works in an office environment with noise from computer peripherals such as printers and plotters.
• Occasionally works around factory equipment.