Your Career. Your Impact. Your Future.
At Gentherm, we believe the next big breakthrough begins with you. As a global leader in thermal management and pneumatic comfort technologies, we develop advanced systems that deliver meaningful solutions to enhance health, wellness, comfort, and efficiency in everyday life. Our products and innovations are created for you, by you.
Be part of our team where a human-centric mindset drives everything we do—from the technologies we build to the careers we support. With decades of expertise, we have pioneered advanced solutions that have become a standard expectation for consumers around the world.
The same thoughtful approach we take in developing our technologies guides how we support your career: purposeful, impactful, and tailored to you. Because when you thrive, innovation thrives.
IMPACT and OPPORTUNITY
The Senior Sales Manager at Gentherm is a high-impact commercial leadership role responsible for driving global strategy, growth, and profitability for at least one major OEM customer. This role leads a team of Account Managers and provides senior-level guidance across all commercial activities, ensuring consistent customer engagement, long-term strategic planning, and flawless execution across global regions. The Senior Sales Manager owns complex negotiations, oversees customer financial performance; including a strong focus P&L and serves as a senior escalation point for customer and internal leadership. This position reports directly to the Executive Director, contributing to organizational strategy, executive-level customer management, and regional/global alignment.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Global Customer Ownership
- Lead commercial responsibility for a major OEM with global scope, representing Gentherm across purchasing, engineering, operations, and executive levels.
- Develop and implement multi year account strategies aligned with OEM global business objectives.
Strategic Commercial Leadership
- Serve as the senior commercial leader for assigned OEM accounts, driving quoting strategy, negotiation planning, pricing governance, and business case development.
- Provide strategic guidance and decision-making support to Account Managers on commercial topics, financial opportunities, and customer-specific risks.
Financial Performance & P&L Accountability
- Demonstrate strong financial acumen with ownership mindset for customer-level P&L, including:
- Margin management
- Price strategy and annual reviews
- Profitability improvement plans
- Cost recovery and inflation recovery efforts
- Oversee accurate forecasting, revenue tracking, and financial risk mitigation.
Leadership of Account Managers
- Manage and develop a team of at least two Account Managers, ensuring disciplined commercial execution across regions.
- Provide coaching, mentorship, and performance oversight to strengthen commercial capability and customer responsiveness.
Customer Escalation & Executive Alignment
- Serve as a senior escalation point for complex commercial issues, customer disputes, or program concerns.
- Collaborate directly with the Executive Director on customer strategy, risk management, and executive communication.
Sales Growth & Portfolio Expansion
- Lead RFQ development, quoting oversight, and new business acquisition for assigned OEM accounts.
- Identify and drive new growth opportunities across comfort systems, thermal solutions, electronics, and emerging vehicle technologies.
- Support global product launches, engineering changes, and customer-driven change management activities.
Contract & Pricing Management
- Lead strategic price negotiations, long-term agreements, and commercial changes in alignment with business objectives.
- Ensure commercial actions support global financial targets and competitiveness.
Cross-Functional & Global Collaboration
- Engage with engineering, program management, quality, operations, and finance to ensure alignment across all customer programs.
- Maintain global consistency in customer strategy, messaging, commercial decisions, and issue resolution.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Marketing, or related field.
• 8+ years of automotive commercial experience, including direct OEM responsibility.
• 10+ years of Automotive OEM experience
• 3+ years of people management experience, leading Account Managers or commercial teams.
• Demonstrated success managing major OEM customer accounts.
• Strong financial acumen with proven ability to support or influence P&L decisions.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and leadership skills.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally (~25%).
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Experience with thermal systems, electronics, interior comfort systems, or related technologies.
• Familiarity with APQP, PPAP, and automotive program management processes.
• CRM proficiency (Campfire preferred).
• Green Belt Certification.
• Experience with global customer organizations and multi-region coordination.
TRAVEL: Up to 20%
LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBLITIES: Leads/Manages Account Managers with Global responsibility
COMPETENCIES:
Deliver Results
- Understand the mission and output of your team; set SMART objectives and deliver
Drive Change
- Focus on agility and commitment to continuous improvement; Understand and act on internal and external drivers of change
Build Capability
- Foster a culture of learning and development; Support individual growth through continuous feedback to achieve personal and professional goals
Cultivate Innovation
- Openly embrace, create, implement and support new and innovative ideas, processes and technology that deliver business results
PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT (US):
All positions in our office require interaction with people and technology while either standing or sitting. In order to best service our customers, internal and external, all associates must be able to communicate face-to-face and on the phone with or without reasonable accommodation. Gentherm is committed to compliance with its obligations under all applicable state and federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. In keeping with this commitment, it attempts to reasonably accommodate applicants and employees in accordance with the requirements of the disability discrimination laws. It also invites individuals with disabilities to participate in a good faith, interactive process to identify reasonable accommodations that can be made without imposing an undue hardship.
Gentherm is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building an inclusive culture through Our Network of Engagement (ONE) where we value our differences and work together to positively impact the lives of our employees, customers, and communities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status.
Nearest Major Market: Detroit
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