Job Description
Senior Sales Manager
Division:  FAS DIV NORTH AMERICA
Contract Type: 
Job Location:  AUBURN HILLS HQ R&D
Job Description: 

Forvia, a sustainable mobility technology leader

We pioneer technology for mobility experience that matter to people.

Your mission, roles and responsibilities

The Senior Sales Manager – Commercial Vehicles & Industrial is responsible for driving profitable growth through new business acquisition and the commercial management of existing programs within the CVI segment. This role leads customer relationships at executive, purchasing, engineering, and quality levels, owns the commercial strategy across the full product lifecycle, and ensures disciplined pricing, contract compliance, and sustained profitability. The position plays a critical role in translating market and customer needs into competitive, value-driven commercial solutions. 
 
Key Responsibilities 
Customer & Account Leadership 
•    Build and maintain senior-level relationships with commercial vehicle and industrial customers (e.g., OEMs and Tier partners) across purchasing, engineering, quality, and program management. 
•    Serve as the primary commercial interface for assigned accounts and programs, ensuring alignment between customer expectations and internal execution. 
•    Lead regular customer engagements, business reviews, and negotiations to strengthen long-term partnerships. 
•    Business Development & Acquisition 
•    Identify, qualify, and pursue new business opportunities (projects, platforms, and customers) within the commercial vehicle and industrial markets. 
•    Actively contribute as a core member of the acquisition team, from opportunity screening through RFQ/RFQA execution and award. 

Commercial Strategy & Pricing 
•    Lead the preparation, validation, and submission of commercial offers, ensuring accuracy, competitiveness, and compliance with internal governance. 
•    Develop robust pricing strategies, negotiation paths, and value propositions based on cost structures, market benchmarks, and customer requirements. 
•    Ensure all commercial terms, pricing conditions, and liabilities are clearly documented and contractually secured. 
•    Maintain a deep understanding of baseline agreements, commercial frameworks, and customer-specific requirements. 
•    Financial Performance & Profitability 
•    Own and manage profitability for new business, serial production, engineering changes, and commercial claims. 
•   
 
Program & Change Management 
•    Manage commercial aspects of engineering changes, tooling investments, and customer-driven modifications. 
•    Initiate and support commercial claims, negotiations, and price adjustments while ensuring accurate tracking and reporting. 
•    Ensure SAP and commercial systems reflect accurate pricing, contracts, and program conditions in collaboration with sales analysts. 
•    Governance, Processes & Continuous Improvement 
•    

Your profile and competencies to succeed

Knowledge, Skills & Competencies 
Strong commercial acumen with proven negotiation and deal-closure experience. 
Solid financial understanding, including cost structures, margins, and P&L impact. 
Highly organized, action-oriented, and comfortable operating in a complex, matrix organization. 
Ability to influence cross-functional teams and senior customer stakeholders. 
Strong communication and presentation skills. 
 
Education & Experience 
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred). 
Minimum 5 years of experience in sales, commercial management, or business development within commercial vehicles, industrial, or automotive environments. 
Experience with complex products, project-based business, and long product lifecycles; seating, JIT, or industrial manufacturing experience is a plus. 

What we can do for you

  • At Forvia, you will find an engaging and dynamic environment where you can contribute to the development of sustainable mobility leading technologies.  
  • We are the seventh-largest global automotive supplier, employing more than 157,000 people in more than 40 countries which makes a lot of opportunity for career development. 
  • We welcome energetic and agile people who can thrive in a fast-changing environment. People who share our strong values. Team players with a collaborative mindset and a passion to deliver high standards for our clients. Lifelong learners. High performers. Globally minded people who aspire to work in a transforming industry, where excellence, speed, and quality count. 
  • We cultivate a learning environment, dedicating tools and resources to ensure we remain at the forefront of mobility.  Our people enjoy an average of more than 22 hours of online and in-person training within FORVIA University (five campuses around the world) 
  • We offer a multicultural environment that values diversity and international collaboration. We believe that diversity is a strength. To create an inclusive culture where all forms of diversity create real value for the company, we have adopted gender diversity targets and inclusion action plans. 
  • Achieving CO2 Net Zero as a pioneer of the automotive industry is a priority: In June 2022, Forvia became the first global automotive group to be certified with the new SBTI Net-Zero Standard (the most ambitious standard of SBTi), aligned with the ambition of the 2015 Paris Agreement of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. Three principles guide our action: use less, use better and use longer, with a focus on recyclability and circular economy. 

Why join us

FORVIA is an automotive technology group at the heart of smarter and more sustainable mobility. We bring together expertise in electronics, clean mobility, lighting, interiors, seating, and lifecycle solutions to drive change in the automotive industry.

With a history stretching back more than a century, we are the 7th largest global automotive supplier, employing more than 157,000 people in 43 countries. You'll find our technology in around 1 out of 2 vehicles produced anywhere in the world.

In June 2022, we became the 1st global automotive group to be certified with the SBTI Net-Zero Standard. We have committed to reach CO2 Net Zero by no later than 2045.

As technological innovation and the need for sustainability transform the automotive industry, we are ideally positioned to deliver solutions that will enhance the lives of road-users everywhere.