Erin Earl
Commerce,MI
Summary
Strategic account leader with experience supporting major automotive customers and leading team coordination across sales, engineering, and operations. Skilled in customer relationship management, negotiation, forecasting, and staff development. Recognized for proactive communication, issue resolution, and keeping complex projects on track.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Account Director
GKN Automotive / Dauch
Detroit, Michigan
2018.06 - Current
- Director of Ford and GM accounts from 2018 through 2019.
- Director of Toyota and Honda accounts from 2019 onward; added Nissan and Mazda in March 2026.
- Led annual Business Plan negotiations with customers; both internal and external approval
- Negotiated and recovered more than $10.2M in inflationary costs in 2022.
- Partnered with engineering, quality, operations, and finance to resolve complex costing activities and quote approvals.
- Secured internal approval for duty drawback program with US government; currently $10.1M USD in refunds received.
- Coached team of account managers through quote approval process and strategic customer proposals; recent new business wins totaling over $108M annual revenue for Honda and $52M for Toyota.
- Secured 100% of 2025/2026 tariff recovery from Toyota & Honda
Associate Commercial Director - GM
GKN Automotive
Auburn Hills, Michigan
2016.12 - 2018.05
- Drove tooling recovery activity, generating $15M in unbudgeted recoveries.
- Prepared GM business plan proposals and supported internal and external negotiations and approvals.
- Guided GM escalation and issue resolution processes, delivering timely solutions to challenges.
- Supported team of four direct reports across CVJ and ePowertrain product divisions to improve collaboration and project outcomes.
- Coached new associates on 1804/1810S and GM systems, building skill growth and smoother team integration.
Senior Commercial Account Manager - GM
GKN Automotive
Auburn Hills, Michigan
2007.04 - 2016.11
- Leveraged 5 years of CVJ experience and 3 years of torque experience to strengthen GM account team capabilities.
- Prepared new business proposals, engineering change quotations, and contract negotiations
- Led global team activities on mega platform quotes (up to 5 locations).
- Developed comprehensive budget and forecast plans.
- Led cross-functional teams to build costing and quoting for awarded G2UX RDM program, valued at $85M annually.
- Supported development of Theta cost models and follow-on program extension agreement, generating $8.2M in additional revenue across extended program life.
- Supported GKN service team during temporary assignment as associate director.
Facilitator
GKN Automotive
Mebane, North Carolina
2004.12 - 2007.04
- Supported SQDC activities, staffing coordination, training material development, and shortage response planning.
- Helped implement best-in-class cells and lean practices in the Inner Race department, using TPM, visual management, and LTA to improve workflow.
- Coordinated daily production control for Inner Race and Cage Grind departments, keeping operations running smoothly for up to 30 direct report employees.
- Completed annual performance reviews and monthly safety training for all associates.
- Participated in the GKN Driveline Development Program (DDP) in 2006, building leadership skills and strengthening regional relationships.
International Leadership Development Program
GKN North America Inc.
2003.03 - 2004.11
- Post graduate program, consisting of four, six-month projects.
- Supported the Pratt & Whitney engineering team at GKN Aerospace AL, assisting with laser cutting equipment.
- Facilitated EDI connections between customers and suppliers at GKN Driveline Offenbach, Germany.
- Implemented consignment stock process for fasteners and rivets with Wesco Aircraft at GKN Chem-Tronics, El Cajon, CA, reducing inventory by $286k over 5.5 months.
- Supervised production processes at GKN Automotive, Mebane, NC, leading to permanent role within 3 months.
Engineering Co-Op Student
GKN Automotive
Auburn Hills, Michigan
1998.09 - 2003.03
- Three-month school / work rotations across test and application engineering teams, gaining hands-on experience in diverse engineering processes.
- Performed full product testing tasks, including drafting test requests, evaluating component teardowns, and preparing test reports.
- Assisted with application engineering projects for CVJ products and supported development work on the VLLP 2900 crash-optimized CVJ design while completing graduation thesis.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering
Kettering University / GMI Engineering & Mgmt Institute
FlintSkills
- Team leadership
- Account planning and forecasting
- Pricing negotiation
- Customer relationship management
- Strategic communication
- Staff development
- Sales presentations
Timeline
Account Director
GKN Automotive / Dauch
2018.06 - Current
Associate Commercial Director - GM
GKN Automotive
2016.12 - 2018.05
Senior Commercial Account Manager - GM
GKN Automotive
2007.04 - 2016.11
Facilitator
GKN Automotive
2004.12 - 2007.04
International Leadership Development Program
GKN North America Inc.
2003.03 - 2004.11
Engineering Co-Op Student
GKN Automotive
1998.09 - 2003.03
Bachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering
Kettering University / GMI Engineering & Mgmt Institute