Sr. Manager, Accounts Transportation- Southeast Michigan

It's a great time to join Velcro Companies!

The Sr. Manager, Accounts Transportation will play a critical role in driving growth within Velcro USA Inc.'s Transportation Segment, focusing primarily on the automotive market. This position is part of the Michigan-based Automotive Sales team and requires a strong ability to sell engineered solutions while collaborating with internal engineering teams to deliver optimal results. Automotive sales cycles are technical and often longer, requiring persistence and strategic engagement.

The Key Account Manager will lead technical sales initiatives and secure Velcro brand product specifications within the automotive segment to increase revenue, profitability, and market penetration.

• Develop and execute a technical sales and product development strategy to achieve high-revenue growth objectives with Automotive Tier 1 suppliers.

• Build relationships with Tier 1 customer engineering and program management teams to specify products in automotive component designs.

• Manage all phases of the vehicle component development cycle, ensuring efficient product launches into mass production.

• Coordinate system engineering proposals for cost reduction, weight savings, and performance improvements.

• Lead BOM development and product cost estimating, resulting in engineering presentations and customer specifications.

• Oversee engineering and project management activities through concept, award, prototype, validation, and launch phases to ensure quality, delivery, and profitability.

• Provide technical product updates for sales pipeline management.

• Develop and implement proposals for high-strength fasteners and adhesive tape products in the North American automotive market while coordinating global accounts with regional colleagues.

• Drive application engineering development for solutions in cockpit, overhead systems, insulation, seating, electrical, and exterior vehicle segments.

• Prepare technical presentations and proposals for Quarterly Business Reviews.

• Support efforts to expand automotive customer base across U.S., European, and Asian OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers.

• Travel up to 20% domestically.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Education: Bachelor's Degree required; Engineering degree preferred.

• Experience: Minimum of 10+ years of proven experience strategic account management and technical sales or application engineering within the automotive market.

• Experience with vehicle seating and/or electrical distribution systems preferred at Tier 1 or OEM level.

• Strong background in automotive engineering and program management.

• Familiarity with vehicle or component assembly processes (cutting, sewing, laminating, sonic welding, fasteners, adhesives).

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; proven ability to work in team-based projects.

• Self-motivated with a track record of developing innovative solutions and driving commercialization.

• Knowledge of APQP processes in the automotive industry.

• Detail-oriented with experience in lean manufacturing principles.

• Expertise in data-driven, value-based selling of technical solutions.

• Ability to manage multiple projects and maintain high activity levels.

• Demonstrated ability to successfully influence senior level management, executives and key opinion leaders within customer' organization along with a demonstrated ability to make effective and persuasive presentations on complex topics, products and solution capabilities with key stakeholders and business leaders

• Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams including Business Development, Engineering, Program Management, Materials, etc. and to work in a complex, matrix organization

• Proficiency in MS Office (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

• CRM experience; Salesforce preferred.

• Ability to travel domestically up to 20%.

OUR COMMITMENT TO SAFETY AND EMPLOYEE WELL-BEING

Fostering a culture where people thrive-safely, purposefully, and with opportunity. At Velcro USA Inc., we are committed to creating a workplace where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to grow. We offer competitive pay, a comprehensive benefits package, and generous time-off to meet the diverse needs of our workforce. Our culture encourages advancement and provides opportunities for both personal and professional development.

Safetyis a core value at Velcro USA Inc. and an essential part of every role. We are dedicated to maintaining a safe, healthy work environment through strict adherence to our Global Safety Rules and our goal of achieving Zero Injuries of Any Kind (ZIAK). Employees are expected to complete required safety training, use personal protective equipment (PPE), report unsafe conditions, and follow protocols for fall protection, lockout/tagout (LOTO), hot work, and confined spaces. Together, we foster a culture of prevention, accountability, and care.

Health and Welfare Benefits:

Medical and Prescription Coverage (HSA and HRA Options)

Dental Coverage

Vision Coverage

Flexible Spending Accounts

Award Winning Wellness and Incentive Program

Life Insurance

Short- and Long-Term Disability

Business Travel Accident Insurance

Voluntary Accident & Critical Illness Insurance

EAP (Employee Assistance Program)

Retirement Savings Plan

401(k) Saving Plan with generous 5.5% Company match and Immediate Vesting

Time-Off Benefits

Paid Vacation Time

Paid Sick Time

Paid Parental Leave

13 Paid Company Holidays

Other Benefits and Programs

Tuition Reimbursement Program

Financial Wellness Benefit - Smart Dollar

Employee Recognition Programs

Employee Resource Groups

Charitable or Educational Matching Gift Program

Employee Referral Bonus Program

Velcro Companies provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.