Sales Assistant

We are seeking an Account Manager in Farmington Hills, MI

Client: Japanese Automotive (Tier 2)

General Position Summary
This position is mainly responsible for supporting Sales Department Account Managers. This position is also responsible for managing pre-mass production orders received from the customers.
Essential Job Functions    
 Inquiry Management    
•    Provides RFQ/RFI/new inquiry receipt/sales promotion/presentation.
•    Provides RFQ/inquiry-related information collection/spread-out.
•    Supports new customer account/agreement set-up.
•    Confirms feasibility report for new inquiry.
•    New inquiry parts registration/control (PB)
•    Clarifies the details of cost impact by utilizing customer DCS/other provided information.

Sales Support    
•    Manages all event PO from customer, and requests plant side to make samples.
•    Ensures to submit shipping document once sample had departed from plant facility.
•    Manages all sample inventory for event sample usage.
•    Submits sales related document requested by customer according to customer’s requirement.
•    Creates monthly report to analyze what was accomplished.
•    Finalizes/summarizes customer requested documents.
•    Estimates date of delivery to customer, based on knowledge of inventory and delivery schedules.
•    Works with Account Managers to keep account activities up to date.
•    Shares customers’ needs, price targets, spec information, delivery requirements, production information and quality issues to multiple personnel including Sales, logistics, Engineers, Quality Assurance, and Production Departments both internally and at Japanese headquarters.
•    Manages schedule and performance of product developments, mass-production delivery and finds solutions for problems in a timely manner.
•    Translate Quality and Engineering related documents from Japanese to English and vice versa.

Other & Miscellaneous    
•    Make efforts to gain product knowledge and familiarize yourself with the product markets.
•    Seeks constant improvement, more efficient and less expensive ways and means in work processes.
•    Performs special projects and other miscellaneous duties as assigned by the Sales Director.
•    Reports to work daily (M-F) based on company schedule and complies with all company policies and procedures.
•    Follows up to complete any assigned work.
•    Maintains high ethical standards in the workplace.
•    Maintains good communication with supervisors, staff members and outside contacts.
•    Responsible for maintaining a clean and safe working area.

Job Competencies (Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities)
 Critical Competencies    
•    Analysis – Critically and carefully examines facts or data to develop a hypothesis or theory. Undertakes course of action to verify or disprove assumptions. Identifies causes of problems, secure relevant information, and recommends solutions. Conducts research and analysis to determine whether a concept or plan can effectively be put into action.
•    Math Skills – Ability to productively work with numbers and accurately perform arithmetical, algebraic or geometric calculations as needed.
•    Negotiation – Able to identify and make trade-offs and concessions while also achieving personal, department, or company goals.
•    Presentation – Effective expression of information, ideas and concepts formally to a group of people. Uses supporting media appropriately.
•    Product Knowledge – Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of the company’s products and/or services.
•    Technical Communication – Able to communicate (reading, writing, speaking) by using specialized vocabulary, terminology and concepts.
•    Language skills – Able to read, write and speak English and Japanese proficiently.

Other Competencies    
Attention to Detail, Office Equipment Usage, Computer Usage, Multi-Tasking, Problem Solving, Team Participation, Motivation to Learn New Skills, Proactive Action

Qualifications
 Education and Experience    
•    Associate degree (A.A.) from two-year college or university preferred; or 2+ years of sales related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience preferred.

 Language Skills    
•    Superior English and Japanese language skills to be able to communicate with HQ in Japan key members – Native or native-like Japanese proficiency preferred.