Account Manager

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: Account Management & Customer Relationships: Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned accounts, building strong, long-term relationships through consistent communication and high-value engagement. Maintain regular contact with customers to ensure satisfaction and alignment on priorities. Customer Requirements & Project Coordination: Develop a deep understanding of customer technical requirements, timelines, and business objectives. Proactively manage expectations and coordinate internally to ensure successful execution of orders and projects. Quoting & Proposal Support: Collaborate with engineering, operations, and sales teams to support the development of accurate and competitive quotes. Provide customer insights to ensure proposals align with technical specifications and commercial expectations. Account Planning & Growth Strategy: Lead account planning efforts, including performance reviews, forecasting, and strategic growth discussions. Identify opportunities to expand business within existing accounts by understanding customer applications and future needs. Order & Program Oversight: Monitor customer orders from quote through delivery, ensuring alignment between customer expectations and internal execution. Coordinate with production, purchasing, and shipping teams to resolve issues and mitigate risks. Performance Tracking & Reporting: Track key account metrics including revenue, order activity, and delivery performance. Contribute to sales forecasting and support broader operational planning initiatives. Industry Engagement & Market Awareness: Represent the company at customer site visits, trade shows, and industry events. Maintain awareness of market trends, customer developments, and competitive positioning within the precision optics industry. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with operations, engineering, quality, and finance teams to ensure seamless communication and execution across all customer-related activities.

QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor's degree required; technical discipline strongly preferred 3+ years of experience in account management, technical sales, or business development, preferably in a manufacturing environment Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple accounts and priorities simultaneously Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage both technical and non-technical stakeholders Demonstrated ability to work independently and take ownership of customer relationshipsPREFERRED QUALIFICATIONSExperience in precision manufacturing, optics, or a related technical industry Familiarity with ERP and CRM systems Experience supporting government or defense-related customers Knowledge of quality standards such as ISO 9001 or AS9100 Working familiarity with export compliance requirements including ITAR, DFARS, and CMMC