THOMAS VANITVELT
Grand Blanc,MI
Summary
Dynamic automotive sales and account management professional with over 20 years of experience driving success in the industry. Expertise includes a blend of technical knowledge and business acumen, demonstrated by a proven track record of collaboration with purchasing and engineering teams at major companies such as General Motors and Stellantis, as well as various Tier I and II suppliers. Skilled in cultivating strong customer relationships and developing effective sales strategies, with a focus on negotiations, quoting, and pricing to secure new business opportunities. Committed to delivering results that enhance organizational growth and customer satisfaction while showcasing exceptional teamwork and adaptability in dynamic environments.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Key Account Manager
Beijing West Industries (BWI) NA, Inc.
10.2024 - 05.2025
- Provide commercial support & customer interface for BWI, Automotive OEM and Tier 1 customers.
- Maintain current business and the financial aspects of assigned programs with the goal of maximizing profit margins.
- Build and maintain customer relationships with OEM and Tier I Purchasing and Engineering at all levels.
- Develop strategic sales plans and budgets for 2025 and beyond (5-year plan).
- Ability to overcome and negotiate technical and business issues of customers.
- Maintain and communicate customer initiatives as they relate to cost savings, productivity, supply base strategies, open issues, performance goals and organizational changes.
- Tier 1 Automotive supplier of Automotive Brakes and Suspension Systems.
Account Manager
Rheinmetall-KS Kolbenschmidt
07.2022 - 10.2024
- Provide commercial support & customer interface for Rheinmetall-KS Kolbenschmidt Automotive OEM and Tier 1 customers.
- Maintain current business and the financial aspects of assigned programs with the goal of maximizing profit margins.
- Build and keep customer relationships with OEM and Tier I Purchasing and Engineering at all levels.
- Develop strategic sales plans and budgets for 2024 and beyond (5-year plan).
- Ability to overcome and negotiate technical and business issues of customers.
- Maintain and communicate customer initiatives as they relate to cost savings, productivity, supply base strategies, open issues, performance goals and organizational changes.
- Work with Manufacturing Plant Customer Service and Planning Reps to ensure parts will be delivered to Customers.
- Tier 1 Automotive supplier of pistons for internal combustion engines.
- Selected Achievements:
- Secured two new programs that will be launching over the next year or two, worth $11.2 million in Annual Sales.
- Helped negotiate an added manufacturing line with plant landlord to support added customer volumes.
Account Manager
Daido Metal USA
06.2018 - 03.2022
- Provide commercial support & customer interface for Daido Metal USA Engine and Transmissions Bearing and Bushing for Automotive OEM and Tier 1 customers.
- Maintained current business and the financial aspects of assigned programs with the goal of maximizing profit margins.
- Build and maintain customer relationships with Tier I Purchasing and Engineering at all levels.
- Develop and implement strategic sales plans and budgets to accommodate business unit (BU) goals.
- Ability to overcome and negotiate technical and business issues of customers.
- Maintain and communicate customer initiatives as they relate to cost savings, productivity, supply base strategies, open issues, performance goals and organizational changes.
- In charge of ordering sample parts for various Tier I programs in Pre-Mass Production.
- Work with Manufacturing Plant Customer Service and Planning Reps to ensure parts will be delivered to Customers.
- Tier 1 Automotive supplier of Engine & Transmission Bearings and Bushings.
- Selected Achievements:
- Able to achieve price increases of 5% to 6% in a tough economy when contracted for annual price decreases.
- Won two new programs (Honda HP1) for Tier I customers with a total annual volume of near 400,000 pcs at a profit margin of 35%, using the same part in two different customer applications.
Account Manager
Alps Electric
06.2015 - 09.2017
- Provide commercial support & customer interface for Alps Electric Door Lock Switches, Lumbar Switches, Tilt & Telescope Switches, Sunroof Switches and Heated Seat Switches.
- Maintained current business and the financial aspects of assigned programs with the goal of maximizing profit margins.
- Build and maintain customer relationships with GM Purchasing and Engineering at all levels.
- Develop and implement strategic sales plans and budgets to accommodate business unit (BU) goals.
- Ability to overcome and negotiate technical and business issues of customers.
- Maintain and communicate customer initiatives as they relate to cost savings, productivity, supply base strategies, open issues, performance goals and organizational changes.
- In charge of ordering sample parts for various GM programs in Pre-Mass Production.
- Work with Manufacturing Plant Customer Service and Planning Reps to ensure parts will be delivered to GM and Tier 1 Suppliers.
- Tier 1 automotive supplier of Electronic Switches and Devises.
Account Manager
MAHLE Industries, Inc
01.2014 - 06.2015
- Provide commercial support & customer interface for MAHLE Air Filtration Systems on GM Global programs.
- Responsible for maintaining and winning new business and the financial aspects of assigned programs by setting up pricing and margins with the goal of maximizing profit margins.
- Manage the RFQ process, pricing, and lead internal discussions for new business opportunities.
- Build and maintain customer relationships with GM Purchasing and Engineering at all levels.
- Develop and implement strategic sales plans to accommodate business unit (BU) goals.
- Create and deliver sales presentations to key customer personnel and internal BU Executives.
- Ability to overcome and negotiate technical and business issues of customers.
- Maintain and communicate customer initiatives as they relate to cost savings, productivity, supply base strategies, open issues, performance goals and organizational changes.
- Tier 1 automotive supplier of engine peripheral components.
- Selected Achievements:
- 2014 Exceeded BU Goal of 7.5% Return on Sales for Air Induction Systems with 18.5% ROS
- Guided Sales and Engineering team to quote a winning sales price for the 2018 GMT 610 Diesel AIS program worth a lifetime sales revenue near $7 million.
- By developing a solid relationship with GM Purchasing and Engineering, I was successful in being awarded several RFQ opportunities that, previously, were not on the Sales Organizations radar.
Education
Master of Business Administration - Finance
University of Detroit Mercy
Detroit, MIBachelor of Science - Communications and Marketing
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MISkills
- Client relationship building
- Business development
- Key account management
- Data-driven decision making
Timeline
Key Account Manager
Beijing West Industries (BWI) NA, Inc.
10.2024 - 05.2025
Account Manager
Rheinmetall-KS Kolbenschmidt
07.2022 - 10.2024
Account Manager
Daido Metal USA
06.2018 - 03.2022
Account Manager
Alps Electric
06.2015 - 09.2017
Account Manager
MAHLE Industries, Inc
01.2014 - 06.2015
Bachelor of Science - Communications and Marketing
Eastern Michigan University
Master of Business Administration - Finance
University of Detroit Mercy