Strategic Account Executive - Springfield, MO

Established in 1919 and traded on the NYSE, Standard Motor Products, Inc. (SMP) is a leading independent manufacturer and distributor of premium automotive replacement parts utilized in the maintenance, repair, and service of vehicles in the automotive aftermarket. Additionally, SMP provides customized solutions for vehicle control and thermal management products in diversified end markets represented by its Engineered Solutions segment.

Globally, SMP employs over 6,000 employees across nearly 40 manufacturing, distribution, and engineering facilities and offices located in North America, Europe and Asia. SMP sells its products primarily to automotive aftermarket retailers, program distribution groups, warehouse distributors, original equipment manufacturers, and original equipment service part operations in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, Mexico, and other Latin American countries.


The Account Executive is responsible for managing customer account daily activities and provides expertise to tactical decisions, with an understanding of corporate and long term vision regarding our accounts. The Account Executive role must balance customer needs with business strategic objectives. This position is responsible for Service Excellence (right product, in the right place, at the right time) Account Growth with respect to Rest of Market (ROM), and managing inventory (product orders and returns) to targeted levels. The Account Executive is responsible for collaborating with members of SMP Business Units, Supply Chain to develop and execute customer-specific account plans to improve efficiency, profitability and customer satisfaction. This role will also assist in commercial sales, and sales administration activities. The Account Executive will report daily the VP of Strategic Account Sales.

Responsibilities:
• Presentation Skills – announce new product and part offerings. Subject Matter Expert in core product lines.
• Sales – quote new product line and segments. Close Sales Agreements.
• Order Management - Manage the completion of order entry, allocation management, and order to delivery monitoring. Responsible for Order to Cash process. Act as a subject matter expert (SME) on order management functionality.
• Customer Relationship – Serve as daily customer interface maintaining a strong working relationship with the customer to ensure customer commitments are met or exceeded. Responsible for select account management and non-prime sales.
• Pricing - Understand and apply pricing policy and procedures. Ensure accurate and timely invoicing. Accountable for timely pricing administration activities.
• Forecasting – Collaborate with SCM, Demand Planning to manage forecast administration including data input for monthly demand planning processes. Validate and manage allocation activities.
• Funding and Trade Promotion Management – Responsible for working with Division Finance Teams to s and provide reports on status.
• Credit – Assist Credit team with account payment and receivable issues.
• Initiatives – Develop customer account initiatives and lead implementation with support of customer account team. Implement, sustain, and communicate SMP and customer KPI’s.
• Service Level Execution – Understand customer needs and service expectations. Ensure clear, proactive and effective communication skills. Deliver high quality customer service to both internal and external customers. Facilitate continuous replenishment of inventory as required by each customer.
• Claims - Process claims in system. Provide commercial support and issue resolution. Act as liaison between internal parties to provide thorough customer feedback.
• Contract – Monitor contracted volume compliance and share with sales.
• Customer Analytics – Perform advanced customer analytics i.e.; cost to serve, profitability, value stream mapping, customer value management, etc.
• Trial – Manage facilitation of trial requests with internal and external parties and execute.
• Logistics – Influence Logistics team on customer program development, implementation and management.
• Negotiation – Negotiate Contracts, Vendor Agreements, and resolution of issues.
• The Account Executive will be directly responsible for managing the order to payment process. They will assist in key sales support activities and lead initiative management for select part types and markets. This role will collaborate with the customer, merchandising managers and supply chain to ensure we are meeting our commitments and customers have an excellent experience.

Requirements:
• 5+ years of industry experience; Bachelor’s Degree in related field preferred
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills including cross cultural
• Language Skills – English verbal and written required
• Exhibits strong custome