Account Manager

Introduction: A Career at HARMAN Automotive

We’re a global, multi-disciplinary team that’s putting the innovative power of technology to work and transforming tomorrow. At HARMAN Automotive, we give you the keys to fast-track your career.

• Engineer audio systems and integrated technology platforms that augment the driving experience.
• Combine ingenuity, in-depth research, and a spirit of collaboration with design and engineering excellence.
• Advance in-vehicle infotainment, safety, efficiency, and enjoyment

About the Role

As an Account Manager, you will be responsible for ensuring long-term commercial success and customer satisfaction for a portfolio of Harman customer projects. You will be actively contributing to overall Harman customer business strategy and are expected to maintain and cultivate high-level customer relationships.  The role will mainly be focused on commercial-related activities but will occasionally be called upon to support other areas of our business.  You will act as a primary customer interface for Harman, and may be interfacing with individuals from purchasing, engineering, validation, production and executive functions.  This role can be truly dynamic with many learning opportunities.

What You Will Do

• Capture and propagate the commercial voice of Subaru for ongoing programs
• Be the ‘voice of the customer’ for internal Harman questions/procedures/programs
• Understand and be the expert for Subaru processes and procedures, and recommend courses of action to help Harman navigate
• Develop and maintain positive relations with Subaru
• Prepare reports for senior management, as necessary

Business Operation

• Assist with 5- and 10-year budget planning initiatives integrating account strategy
• Manage completion of commercial and legal agreements and customer negotiations for awarded business
• Closely track customer satisfaction at senior levels, and provide strategies for course corrections when needed
• Own continuity of awarded business (business extensions, follow-ons, CRs) with a view on continued lifetime profitability of your portfolio
• Develop and maintain a relationship map, including status of relationship, goals and actions to get to desired state

Account Management

• Manage daily communication with local Japanese customer contacts for all commercial facets of Harman business, including pricing, tooling, change requests, annual price reduction, cost claim recovery, etc…
• PO/Quotation preparation and follow-through to closure
• Coordinate responses for customer surveys / investigations and ensure a timely reply
• Manage account receivable/payable topics with appropriate Subaru departments
• Analyze and understand market, product portfolio and competitive landscape

• Coordinate information related to activities within our global operations that impact our customer (Capacity, Part Availability, Product Transfers, New Product Introductions, End of Production management etc.)

What You Need to Be Successful

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Business Administration or related field preferred (MBA is beneficial)
• Language: Fluency (written and verbal) in Japanese, Business Ability (written and verbal) in English
• Ability to work closely with global teams in multiple time zones using English as the common language
• Experience: 5+ Years automotive experience environment with preferably Japanese OEM’s
• Thorough understanding of automotive OEM organization and processes
• High-level technical understanding of automotive hardware/software systems
• Strong communication skills, including oral presentations and business writing
• Integrity
• Willingness to look for improvement opportunity with a KAIZEN mindset.
• Interpersonal skills to build relationships with customers and be a team player with Harman.
• Negotiation skills to find solutions that work for customers and Harman.
• Critical thinker who can think on their feet
• Flexibility and business acumen to deal with customer requests
• Willingness to continuously stretch to reach goals
• Excellent MS Office skills (Excel, Word, Power Point). Especially Excel.
• Strong project management skills with experience gaining consensus and driving deliverables with individuals inside and outside the organization
• Comfort level working with financial/accounting data, P&L statements, business cases, etc…
• Results-Driven: Having a proactive, goal-oriented approach to decision making.
• Team Player: Having respect for colleagues; leading teams with clarity and accountability.
• Change Orientation: Able to adapt to changing demands and conditions.
• Customer Focus: Providing exceptional service and quality to external and internal customer.
• Self-Awareness: Accepting responsibility for personal development and actions.

Bonus Points if You Have

• Master’s degree in Engineering or Business Management
• Experience working with Subaru or Honda
• Experience working at Tier 1 supplier of products such as audio, infotainment, connectivity or ADAS

What Makes You Eligible

• Be willing to travel up to 25%, mostly domestic with occasional international travel
• Be willing to work in an office in Tokyo (Ariake)

• Successfully complete a background investigation and drug screen as a condition of employment

What We Offer

• Flexible work environment
• Access to employee discounts on world-class Harman products (JBL, HARMAN Kardon, AKG, etc.)
• Extensive training opportunities through our own HARMAN University
• Competitive wellness benefits
• “Be Brilliant” employee recognition and rewards program
• An inclusive and diverse work environment that fosters and encourages professional and personal development

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