Senior Account Manager – Ford Europe

Autoliv's primary goal is to Save More Lives. Our products never get a second chance. This is why we can never compromise on quality. We are working to increase vehicle safety by developing seatbelts, airbags and steering wheels and you can be part of our team as  Senior Account Manager – Ford Europe.

The Senior Account Manager – Ford Europe is responsible for owning and driving the commercial performance of assigned Ford accounts. The role leads customer negotiations, manages escalations, and shapes the mid-term commercial direction of the account.

Acting as the primary commercial interface between Ford Europe and Autoliv, the position ensures alignment between customer expectations and internal capabilities, while delivering sustainable profitability and supporting strategic growth objectives.

Should you be interested in overseeing these tasks and aiming for enhanced performance standards, your role will involve:

1. Account & Customer Management

• Serve as the primary commercial contact for Ford EU across assigned programs

• Build and maintain strong relationships with customer stakeholders across purchasing, engineering, and program functions.

• Drive customer intimacy through structured engagement and decision-maker mapping.

2. Commercial Leadership & Negotiation

• Lead complex commercial negotiations, including pricing actions, claims, long-term agreements, and annual settlements.

• Manage the full commercial lifecycle, including RFQs, change management, and contract renewals.

• Ensure contract compliance and alignment with agreed commercial terms.

3. Financial Performance Management

• Own margin performance and drive EBIT improvement for assigned account scope.

• Lead cost recovery initiatives, including ED&T recovery, tariffs, and general claims as per business needs.

• Monitor and report commercial risks, opportunities, and financial exposure.

4. Program & Business Oversight

• Oversee commercial aspects of assigned programs, ensuring alignment with business targets.

• Ensure timely preparation and submission of quotations and claims.

• Support program governance processes with clear commercial deliverables.

5. Cross-Functional Coordination

• Lead coordination across Autoliv Engineering, Operations, Purchasing, Finance, and Program Management.

• Ensure alignment on cost, quality, delivery, and technical solutions impacting commercial outcomes.

• Drive internal decision-making to resolve customer-related issues.

6. Risk & Escalation Management

• Act as the primary escalation point for significant customer issues.

• Identify, assess, and mitigate commercial and program risks.

• Lead resolution of escalations, including contractual and financial disputes.

7. Strategic Account Development

• Develop and execute multi-year account strategies aligned with Business Unit and corporate objectives.

• Analyse competitive landscape and adapt commercial approach accordingly.

• Support business growth through the successful acquisition of new orders.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Margin improvement (EBIT) for assigned account scope.

• Escalation resolution lead time.

• Customer relationship stability (scorecards, escalation trends).

• New order intake success rate.

• Claim closure cycle time and recovery value.

and if you have/ are:

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering, Business, or a related field.

• Significant experience in automotive account management, sales, or program management.

• Proven track record in leading high-stakes negotiations with OEM customers.

• Experience managing cross-functional commercial topics across multiple programs.

• Exposure to global or multi-regional automotive environments preferred.

• Advanced negotiation and influencing capabilities.

• Strong financial and commercial acumen.

• Cross-functional leadership without direct authority.

• Structured problem-solving and analytical thinking.

• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.

• Strategic mindset with long-term account ownership perspective.

• High resilience in complex and high-pressure customer situations.

• Strong accountability and ownership of business outcomes.

• Collaborative and transparent working style.

• Ability to manage ambiguity and competing priorities.

• Deep understanding of OEM commercial frameworks (e.g., LTA structures, open-book costing).

• Strong knowledge of pricing mechanisms, claims, and cost recovery processes.

• Financial modelling capability (margin bridge, scenario analysis).

• Solid understanding of automotive products and program lifecycle.

• Familiarity with governance, contractual, and sourcing processes.

  We will be more than glad to chat with you about your experience and your career goals.

  In our international work setting, you will find a range of opportunities that are designed to enhance your career and personal development. Including new and different perspectives is part of what ensures the team’s success. We are committed to develop people’s skills, knowledge and creative potential. Our training and development programs emphasize technical competency, leadership development and business management skill.

                                 More lives saved – more life lived!