1949 Key Account Manager

Role Overview

The Key Account Manager plays a critical role in advancing profitable, sustainable growth across strategic customers in OEM/Aerospace/or Manufacturing. This position serves as the primary commercial liaison between the company and its major accounts overseeing contract execution, pricing strategy, performance delivery, and long-term business development. Success in this role requires strong cross-functional leadership within a matrixed environment, partnering closely with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Finance, and senior management while maintaining active, high-level engagement with customer leadership.

Core Responsibilities

1. Strategic Account Leadership & Customer Engagement

• Act as the central point of contact for all commercial and operational topics with assigned aerospace customers (OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, MROs).
• Establish and nurture relationships across multiple levels of the customer organization from procurement teams to executive leadership.
• Elevate customer satisfaction through strong communication, issue resolution, and continuous improvement efforts (NPS, scorecards, audits).
• Anticipate evolving customer needs and align internal teams to support delivery performance, agility, and added value.
• Lead recurring business reviews (quarterly and annual), emphasizing relationship health, KPIs, and forward-looking growth opportunities.

2. Revenue, Margin & Growth Ownership

• Own the financial performance of each key account, ensuring revenue, margin, and profitability targets are met.
• Identify, develop, and execute growth initiatives such as long-term agreements, price revisions, renewals, and new program participation.
• Collaborate across the organization to strengthen cost competitiveness, operational efficiency, and pricing positions.
• Track contribution margin, commercial exposure, and payment terms; initiate corrective actions where needed.
• Support financial planning, forecasting, and the annual budgeting process while ensuring alignment with site and corporate objectives.

3. Demand Alignment & Forecast Management

• Consolidate and validate customer demand signals, working closely with Planning, Supply Chain, and Production to secure on-time, on-quality delivery.
• Convert customer forecasts into internal capacity and production requirements to maintain operational readiness.
• Review and challenge inconsistent demand inputs and negotiate achievable delivery timelines balancing customer priorities and factory constraints.
• Monitor order intake, backlog levels, and delivery KPIs to support topline planning and performance.

4. Cross-Functional Collaboration & Matrix Influence

• Lead cross-functional account teams spanning Sales, Engineering, Operations, Quality, and Finance.
• Influence and align internal stakeholders without direct authority to ensure customer expectations match internal capabilities.
• Escalate critical issues to site leadership and KAM leadership when necessary.
• Maintain strong communication channels between customer teams, site management, and corporate leadership groups.

5. Reporting, Governance & Strategic Insight

• Maintain accurate account plans, demand forecasts, and commercial documentation.
• Provide routine updates to senior leadership regarding account status, risks, opportunities, and performance.
• Monitor market movements, competitor activity, and emerging aerospace technologies to support long-term strategic alignment.
• Uphold compliance with contractual, regulatory, and ethical standards (such as AS9100, ISO9001, ITAR).

Key Performance Metrics

• Customer satisfaction and rating outcomes (NPS, scorecards, audits)
• Revenue achievement vs. forecast
• Account-level gross margin and profitability
• On-time/on-quality delivery results
• Forecast accuracy and demand stability
• Renewal success and new business wins

Required Skills & Competencies

• Previous experience managing OEM or Tier 1 accounts with full P&L ownership.
• Strong negotiation capabilities and solid financial/analytical acumen.
• Ability to drive cross-functional leadership in a matrix environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with strong stakeholder management.
• Understanding of aerospace industry standards (AS9100, ISO9001) and regulatory frameworks.
• Experience with ERP platforms and data-oriented reporting tools (Excel, Power BI, etc.).

Education & Experience

• Bachelor s or Master s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline (MBA preferred).
• 2 3 years of experience in key account management, sales, or business development within aerospace or precision manufacturing.