Key Account Manager - Home Appliance
We are seeking a high-caliber Sales and Business Development professional with extensive experience in the North American Home Appliance and HVAC sectors. The ideal candidate isn’t just a salesperson; they are a market expert who "knows the business," understands the nuances of major OEMs, and possesses the professional common sense to bridge the gap between technical requirements and commercial success.
Key Responsibilities
- Market Expansion: Lead strategic market penetration for home appliance/HVAC components across North America, focusing on Tier 1 OEMs and key regional distributors.
- Design-In & NPI Management: Navigate the full New Product Introduction (NPI) cycle. You will drive the process from initial sampling and certifications (UL/Energy Star) through to mass production.
- Strategic Value Selling: Identify customer pain points in new model development. Propose solutions and cost-optimization strategies that align with North American regulatory standards and OEM expectations.
- Full-Lifecycle Account Management: Serve as the primary liaison between the customer and the factory. Manage order forecasting, quality resolution (RMA/FA), and payment collections to ensure a healthy, long-term partnership.
- Competitive Intelligence: Track competitor pricing, local policy shifts, and technology trends to refine our North American go-to-market strategies.
- Cross-Functional Coordination: Collaborate with internal R&D and Logistics teams to ensure the global supply chain meets the high-frequency delivery demands of North American manufacturing.
- Experience: 5+ years of B2B sales experience specifically within the North American Home Appliance or HVAC component industry.
- Industry Knowledge: Deep familiarity with the North American supply chain ecosystem and major players (e.g., Whirlpool, GEA, Electrolux, Samsung, LG, Miele, Hisense).
- Technical Aptitude: While an engineering degree is not mandatory, you must possess strong "technical common sense" and the ability to discuss component applications comfortably with engineering leads.
- Education: Bachelor’s Degree preferred. A technical background (ME/EE) is a plus but extensive market experience and a proven track record take precedence.
- Target Background: Prior experience working for or selling against major component manufacturers (e.g., Nidec, Robertshaw, Copreci) is a significant advantage.
- Travel: Willingness to travel 30-50% within North America for site visits and industry trade shows (KBIS, AHR Expo).
- Location: This position is remote; however, preference will be given to those in the local surrounding areas.
- The "Hunter" Mentality: You don't just manage accounts; you proactively identify "blue ocean" opportunities within established OEM departments.
- Business Fluency: A deep understanding of North American business etiquette and the ability to build high-level trust with local procurement and engineering heads.
- Resilience: The ability to navigate and close the long sales cycles (18-24 months) typical of the appliance industry.