Job Description
Key Account Manager - Automotive Seat & Trim and Synthetics - North America
Application deadline:  03/01/2026
Performance Coatings - technical sales support

2306 Energy Drive, Apex
Apex, North Carolina 27502
United States

Position Overview

The Key Account Manager is primarily responsible for driving sales growth, business development, and customer success across USA & Canada. This role requires a consultative technical sales approach, the ability to build, foster and retain strong client relationships, and a proven track record of achieving revenue targets. In addition to sales leadership, the role includes oversight of regional product initiatives—coordinating product launches, managing customer projects, and ensuring solutions meet the unique requirements of U.S. and Canadian markets.

The ideal candidate thrives at the intersection of sales, project management, and product leadership, combining technical aptitude with commercial acumen to deliver value to customers and business results for the company.

 

 

Key Responsibilities

 

Sales Leadership & Business Development

  • Develop and execute the sales strategy for the U.S. and Canadian markets to meet and exceed revenue targets.
  • Identify, pursue, and close new business opportunities across priority industries and customers.
  • Manage and expand relationships with key accounts, OEMs, and partners.
  • Deliver technical presentations, product demonstrations, and tailored solution proposals to prospective and existing clients.
  • Lead contract negotiations, oversee pricing strategies, and ensure deals align with company objectives.
  • Represent the company at trade shows, industry conferences, and customer events across North America.

 

Project & Account Management

  • Act as the primary point of contact for major client accounts and projects.
  • Oversee customer projects from initiation to completion, ensuring timely delivery and high satisfaction.
  • Coordinate with internal teams (product development, applications and customer services) to align resources and meet customer expectations.
  • Track project progress, resolve issues, and proactively communicate updates to stakeholders.

 

Product Coordination & Market Alignment

  • Collaborate with Global Market Managers to adapt product offerings for North American markets.
  • Support product lifecycle management, providing market feedback and identifying improvement opportunities.
  • Lead regional product launches in partnership with sales, marketing, and operations.
  • Train external partners on product features, value propositions, and competitive positioning.

 

Performance & Reporting

  • Provide accurate sales forecasts, pipeline visibility, and project updates to senior management.
  • Monitor and report on product performance, customer satisfaction, and market dynamics.
  • Recommend adjustments to sales strategy and product offerings based on customer insights and market data.

 

 

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Business, Chemistry, Engineering, Sustainability/ Environmental Sciences or related fields (or equivalent experience).
  • 5+ years of experience in business development, technical sales or account/project management.
  • Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
  • Proven ability to manage multiple customer projects and deliver results on time and within scope.
  • Technical aptitude with the ability to translate complex solutions into customer value.
  • Successful track record of launching new products into the marketplace.
  • Demonstrated success in meeting or exceeding growth targets in the U.S. and/or Canadian markets.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
  • Willingness to travel up to 25-30% across the U.S. and Canada.

 

Preferred Skills

  • Experience managing channel partner networks.
  • Familiarity with North American regulatory and compliance requirements.
  • Knowledge of sustainability roadmaps, practices and targets (preferred but not required)
  • Bilingual in English and German or Dutch (preferred but not required)

 

What We Offer

  • Competitive base salary plus bonus by objectives
  • Company car
  • Comprehensive health, retirement, and wellness benefits.
  • Opportunities for career advancement and professional development.
  • A collaborative, innovative, and growth-focused work environment & culture.

 

Joining Stahl means becoming part of a talented, diverse community of nearly 2,000 talented professionals. Around the world, our people are the driving force behind our three core business lines – Performance Coatings, Leather Finishing and Packaging Coatings – and our 15 production sites, 35 application laboratories, and network of sales offices in 23 countries. 

Their innovation, hard work and dedication have made Stahl the world leader in speciality coatings for flexible materials. Our products protect what is precious to people, enhancing the consumer experience and adding value to the materials used in countless industries – from automotive and apparel to luxury goods, footwear, packaging and home furnishings.   

As the invisible force behind everyday material, Stahl products are touched by people every day. And when people touch our products, we touch their lives. That's why Stahl colleagues around the world are driven by a shared purpose: Touching lives, for a better world.  

We are guided by our ESG Roadmap, which sets out our sustainability ambitions for 2030 and beyond. These include firm emission-reduction targets aligned with the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) and our commitment to working with our value chain partners to create a better world for future generations. 

Information at a Glance
Application deadline:  03/01/2026
Job Function:  Performance Coatings
Job Category:  Performance Coatings
Department:  Performance Coatings - technical sales support
Job Location:  USA - Apex