Senior Sales Manager - Ford NA & Global Account Coordination 73610
About the role
The Senior Sales Manager – Ford NA & Global Account Coordination is responsible for owning and leading the commercial relationship with Ford North America while ensuring global alignment of account strategy and execution. This role serves as the primary point of contact for all commercial matters and drives business growth, profitability, and long-term partnership development.
Responsibilities
- Own and lead the Ford North America account strategy, ensuring alignment across regions, product lines, and functions
- Build and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with Ford’s buyers and leadership teams
- Position ZF LIFETEC as a strategic partner through proactive engagement and value-driven solutions
- Drive revenue growth, sustainable profitability, and cash performance in line with company targets
- Lead pricing strategies, contract negotiations, and long-term commercial agreements
- Ensure compliance with company commercial policies and contractual obligations
- Capture and translate Voice of Customer (VoC) insights into actionable strategies
- Monitor market trends, competitive landscape, and customer requirements to inform business decisions
- Influence internal stakeholders to adapt strategies that strengthen competitive positioning
- Develop team capabilities through coaching, guidance, and process training
Requirements
- Strong strategic thinking and ability to translate market insights into business opportunities
- Prior proven success in complex negotiations and commercial deal-making
- Solid financial acumen, including profitability and cost management
- Executive-level communication and influencing skills
- Ability to lead in a global, matrix environment with cross-functional stakeholders
- High level of integrity, accountability, and ownership
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities
- Able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, or related field required; MBA preferred
- At least 10+ years of experience in sales, account management, or business development within the automotive industry
- Prior progressive leadership or team management experience
- Proven experience managing key global OEM accounts (Ford experience strongly preferred)
- Experience in passive safety systems or automotive components is highly desirable
- Demonstrated success in securing new business and managing multi-million-dollar accounts
- Experience operating in a global matrix organization with cross-regional collaboration
- Strong network within OEM organizations, particularly at senior levels
Skills
- Strategic thinking and market insight
- Complex negotiation and commercial deal-making
- Financial acumen and cost management
- Executive-level communication and influence
- Global leadership and cross-functional collaboration
- Team development and coaching
- Market intelligence and customer insights
Benefits
Join a supportive and dynamic environment committed to safety, innovation, and reliability. As a part of our international team, your contributions spark industry-leading innovations in automotive safety.
Pay
Competitive compensation package including base salary, bonus, and benefits.
Schedule
Full-time position with flexible working hours to accommodate global responsibilities.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
ZF LIFETEC is committed to building a culture where inclusiveness thrives and diversity is valued. We welcome unique perspectives and actively work to remove barriers, empowering all employees to reach their full potential.
Why ZF LIFETEC?
Innovative Impact: Shape the future of safety with life-saving technology that truly matters.
Dynamic Workplace: Thrive in an agile, collaborative environment where every idea counts.
Culture of Excellence: Be part of a team with over 60 years of high standards and groundbreaking achievements.
Growth & Empowerment: Advance your career with strong support for personal and professional development.