Executive Director Customer Partnerships

STRATTEC Security Corporation is one of the world's largest suppliers providing access and security systems to the automotive market. This drives us to be an innovative company with the latest technology. STRATTEC creates exciting opportunities to people who like to work in an environment that challenges them to be creative, deal with multiple customers and projects, and research the latest technology. You will help STRATTEC to be a pioneer by working closely with the largest automotive customers in the world along with the largest electronic partners.

Let us know who you are! We want to know what motivates you and why you are the ideal candidate for our team.

Position Overview:

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Executive Director of Customer Partnerships to lead the organization's efforts in executing the strategy to identify and secure new business with new customers, to build a pipeline of adjacent opportunities outside of the traditional automotive manufacturing sector (i.e. Heavy Duty, Agriculture, Off Road, Marine, etc.) as well as new production introduction into existing customers. This role requires a strategic visionary with a strong background in the automotive industry, adept in business development, and proficient in P&L leadership. The successful candidate will drive operational excellence, foster innovation, and ensure sustainable growth within the organization.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership:

* Develop and implement a comprehensive business strategy aligned with our vision and objectives.

* Analyze market trends and competitive landscape to identify opportunities for growth and differentiation.

* Collaborate with stakeholders to define long-term goals and strategic initiatives.

* Create and deliver compelling "value based" sales presentations to communicate the company's capabilities and vision.

* Lead execution of commercial negotiations, terms and customer issue resolution, acts as a single point of commercial contact and engage other functions as required.

Business Development:

* Leads the ideation and evaluation of new product concepts and customer acquisition strategies.

* Expands the company's product portfolio in emerging market segments.

* Drive new business development efforts, identifying potential partnerships, customers, and market segments.

* Provide strategic input on new product additions to drive growth and innovation.

* Spearhead product innovation initiatives to meet evolving market demands and technological advancements.

* Oversees the sales process and develops the 5 Year Strategy with a focus on expanding into other markets and responsible to execute strategy (volume, pricing, margin).

* Once system integration is complete, utilize customer relationship management (CRM) tool to actively manage account, including 1) Opportunity pipeline in support of the 5 Year Plan, 2) Map to manage a

"zippered" relationship structure between STRATTEC team and customer organization and 3) Volume and Revenue mapping of all customer vehicle programs.

P&L Management:

* Oversee the financial performance of the new business development activities, ensuring robust financial health and profitability.

* Responsible for managing STRATTEC product line to set margin targets and goals (raw material indexing, margin improvements, new parts, mix changes, capacity, etc.).

* Responsible for business results to meet annual financial commitments (volume, pricing, warranty, and SG&A).

* Establish sales forecasts and performance targets to align customer demand with internal capacity requirements.

* Develop and manage budgets and financial reports; analyze variances and implement corrective actions as necessary.

* Responsible for ensuring that raw material indexes, pricing, quotes and price changes are implemented on-time, where applicable.

* Ensure compliance with financial regulations and best practices in financial management.

Operational Excellence:

* Lead and inspire a diverse team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

* Optimize operational processes to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve product quality.

* Implement effective performance management systems to track progress against strategic objectives.

Stakeholder Engagement:

* Foster relationships with key industry players, suppliers, and customers to gain insights, influence sourcing selections and expand our footprint.

* Collaborate with customer innovation teams to align product development with market needs and trends.

* Communicate effectively with executive leadership, providing updates on performance, progress, and opportunities.

* Responsible for customer satisfaction in the development of new customer products.

* Represent our organization at industry events, conferences, and networking opportunities to promote the business and build brand awareness.

Qualifications:

* Education: Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field; MBA preferred.

* Experience: 15+ years of experience in the automotive industry, with a minimum of 5 years in a leadership role.

* Skills:

o Proven track record in strategic planning and execution.

o Strong financial acumen in P&L management.

o Excellent negotiation and relationship-building skills.

o Strong leadership capabilities with experience managing diverse teams.

o Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Personal Attributes:

* Strategic thinker with a hands-on approach.

* Strong communicator with the ability to inspire and motivate teams.

* Results-oriented and resilient in overcoming challenges.

* Passionate about innovation and technology in the automotive sector.

STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION is an equal opportunity employer and practices affirmative action to recruit, hire, train, upgrade, transfer and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.