Defense Program Account Representative

Company Profile

Sumitomo Corporation of Americas (SCOA) is an integrated global trading company active in a range of commercial ventures. It imports and exports raw materials, and goods and has diversified activities in businesses throughout the Americas. These activities include investments and financing, coordination and operation of urban and industrial infrastructure projects, providing transportation and logistics services, developing natural resources, distribution of steel and other products, and developing and managing real estate. SCOA is the largest subsidiary of Sumitomo Corporation (SC), one of Japan's major integrated trading and investment business enterprises with operations in a wide array of businesses, organized into eighteen industry focused segments, Tubular Products, Steel, Automotive, Commercial Aviation, Aerospace Defense & Technology, Construction Equipment Solution, Materials, Supplies, and Real Estate, Logistics, Social Infrastructure, Food & Lifestyle, Mineral Resources, Light Metals, Basic Chemicals & Electronics, Life Science, Agri-Business, Energy Innovation Initiative Americas, Power Infrastructure, Energy. Visit www.sumitomocorp.com and www.sumitomocorp.com/en/us/scoa for more information.

Defense Program Account Representative ($92,000 - $112,000)

Job Summary:

The Defense Program Account Representative will supervise a portfolio of defense industry clients, serving as the primary point of contact within the U.S. for various U.S. OEMs and their counterparts in Japan. This role involves managing complex relationships, handling account-specific issues, and acting as the lead U.S. interface for accounts under the overall responsibility of the senior management team. The position requires effective communication and coordination between U.S. clients, Japanese partners, and other key stakeholders to ensure exceptional service delivery, and fostering strong client relationships.

Duties/ Responsibilities:

• Supervise a portfolio of defense industry clients and serve as their primary point of contact within the US.
• Build and nurture relationships with U.S. OEMs, Japanese counterparts, and relevant government stakeholders.
• Understand client needs and objectives to provide tailored solutions and services.
• Serve as the lead U.S. interface on programs, ensuring smooth coordination between U.S. OEMs, Japanese partners, and government agencies.
• Track milestones, deliverables, and timelines, ensuring that the needs of each OEM are met while maintaining compliance with government regulations.
• Communicate regularly with senior manager regarding program status, financial health, and any issues or risks.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver on client requirements and expectations.
• Work closely with international partners in Japan to achieve targets and objective.
• Provide timely, solutions-focused support, adapting approaches as necessary to meet the unique requirements of client.
• Stay updated on Defense program industry trends, regulations, and competitive landscape.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to monitor budgets, expenditures, and contracts.
• Ensure all contractual obligations are met in line with both client and government expectations, ensuring full compliance with regulations.
• Assist in financial forecasting, cost proposals, and provide regular reports on program financials.

Job Specific Knowledge/Skills & Abilities:

<Required>

• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to build and maintain long-term client relationships.
• Strategic thinker with a results-oriented mindset.
• Proficient in using Microsoft suites and SAP.

<Preferred>

• Fluency in Japanese
• Understanding of defense sector products, services, and market dynamics.
• Work and business experience, including back-office functions (some customer interaction, account/program management, and SAP experience in a back-office setting).
• Versatility to adapt to various environments, including customer, corporate, accounting, and legal.

Education, Certification and Experience:

<Required>

• Bachelor's degree
• Minimum of 3+ years of experience in account management or sales within the defense industry

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to perform standard office-based work with or without reasonable accommodation
• Hybrid work style (Minimum 2 days in the office/week)
• Willingness to travel for client meetings and industry events
• There is no visa sponsorship provided for this position

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement

Sumitomo Corporation of Americas (SCOA) is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at Sumitomo are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. Sumitomo will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.