Bharat Forge - Senior Key Account Manager - Automotive Domain

Job Description:

1. Key Account Management

- Serve as the principal point of contact for international customers, ensuring proactive, transparent, and timely communication to build trust and reliability.

- Develop and nurture long-term strategic relationships with OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers to enhance customer satisfaction and retention.

- Monitor and manage overall account health, including quality assurance, on-time delivery, and commercial performance metrics to meet or exceed customer expectations.

- Drive continuous improvement initiatives and resolve any escalations swiftly to maintain strong customer loyalty.

2. Sales Operations & Cross-Functional Collaboration

- Partner with supply chain, production, quality, and finance teams to facilitate flawless order fulfillment and ensure adherence to delivery schedules.

- Oversee order tracking, inventory levels, and receivables management to support financial health and operational efficiency.

- Support accurate demand forecasting and inventory planning to optimize working capital and reduce stockouts or excess.

- Act as the liaison for quality-related issues, working closely with suppliers and internal teams to ensure compliance and swift resolution.

- Take ownership of supply chain management processes impacting international accounts.

3. International Business Development

- Identify, evaluate, and pursue new business opportunities across international markets, expanding the companys global footprint.

- Cultivate growth within existing accounts by cross-selling and up-selling diverse product lines, maximizing revenue potential.

- Maintain a robust and prioritized pipeline of RFQs, driving high conversion through effective proposal management and customer engagement.

- Conduct detailed market research and competitive analysis to identify emerging trends, customer needs, and strategic opportunities for growth.

- Collaborate with marketing and product teams to align business development initiatives with

overall company strategy.

4. Commercial & Contract Management

- Lead pricing strategy discussions and negotiate contracts with international customers, ensuring competitive yet profitable terms.

- Establish and enforce mechanisms for cost escalation management and raw material price adjustments in contracts.

- Monitor account profitability continuously and provide data-driven recommendations to optimize pricing models and contract terms.

- Work closely with finance to assess credit risk and ensure healthy receivables and cash flow management.

5. Program Management & Product Launch

- Manage end-to-end new product development programs for international clients, from RFQ

and feasibility to SOP (Start of Production).

- Ensure timely completion and submission of PPAP (Production Part Approval Process) and other quality milestones required by customers.

- Coordinate internal teams including engineering, quality, supply chain, and production to meet customer deadlines and specifications.

- Monitor program progress, anticipate risks, and implement corrective actions to avoid delays or cost overruns.

Desired Profile & Qualifications:

- Bachelors or Masters degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or related field. MBA preferred.

- Proven experience (12+ years) in key account management, sales operations, and international business development in the automotive, manufacturing, or industrial sectors.

- Strong understanding of OEM/Tier 1 customer dynamics and global supply chain processes.

- Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex projects with multiple stakeholders.

- Excellent negotiation, communication, and relationship-building skills.

- Analytical mindset with strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.

- Willingness to travel internationally as required.