By SEMA Editors

SEMA News is looking to highlight top-tier talent in the automotive aftermarket industry who are age 35 and younger.

For the fifth consecutive year, SEMA News is looking to highlight top-tier talent in the automotive aftermarket industry age 35 and younger. If you know a leader in that age range as of September 1, 2017—whether they’re in manufacturing and design, marketing, retail, events and media, or distribution—SEMA News would like to hear from you.

It is very likely that SEMA members are currently working with creative and talented young professionals who are already moving the industry in new and different directions. They’re also the ones who have played major roles in leveraging new and emerging technologies—in areas that include marketing and product development—with a traditional automotive aftermarket business to expand company reach and customer interaction.

They could be budding superstars at an established company, entrepreneurs building their own brands or innovators who have launched companies that are sure to become big names in the future. What they’ll have in common are fresh ideas, enthusiasm, charisma and the drive to succeed. These are people who know what’s going on at the ground level, who see opportunities that are now forming and who travel in circles that may be very different from those of our “old-school” industry leaders.

Winners will be chosen based on their business successes, contributions to their organizations, industry knowledge and community involvement. We’ll honor the winners in the September issue of SEMA News and on www.sema.org.

Nominate a candidate now for the 2017 SEMA News 35 Under 35. Nominations are due May 31, 2017.

By SEMA Editors

Are you hunting for a new job? The SEMA Career Center has a comprehensive listing of automotive-related job openings around the country. Here are some of the latest classifieds posted to the website.

Shipping Lead: Gales Banks Engineering is hiring a shipping lead to pack, pull/check customer orders, handle and replenish material, manually package individual components into kit form, verify and keep records on outgoing shipments, and prepare items for shipment. Occasionally oversee, direct and coordinate the activities and staff members in the shipping department. This is a hands-on position that requires a great deal of attention to detail. The successful candidate will have a high school diploma or general education degree (GED), 2–5 years’ previous experience in shipping or distribution and the ability to operate a forklift.

Account Manager/Customer Service: Speedmaster has three account manager/customer service positions available. Applicants should be experienced in the aftermarket parts industry or OEM automotive parts industry. Incoming and outgoing calls require smart and motivated team players to increase conversion rates. Customer service, Excel, heavy phone, automotive parts and account management experience are required.

Automotive Upholstery Technician: Revology Cars is hiring an automotive uphostery technician responsible for cutting, sewing and fitment of leather-seat upholstery; wrapping interior trim panels in leather and vinyl; fitment of interior trim; hand-fitting carpet; installing convertible tops; and working with fiberglass and seat foam. A minimum high-school or equivalent degree is required. A degree from an approved, certified vocational/technical program is strongly preferred. Automotive experience is preferred but not required.

Auto Accessories Store Manager: Mr Kustom Automotive Accessories & Mobile Electronics is looking for experienced sales managers and automotive accessories salespeople. Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus, but not required. Duties include store opening-closing, managing 10+ employees, answering phones, invoice writing, parts ordering, inventory management, retail sales and customer service orders. Must have good computer skills and experience. A four-year college degree in marketing or business administration is preferred, but not required.

Buyer – High-Performance Auto Parts: JEGS is hiring a high-performance auto-parts buyer with strong negotiating and analytical skills and solid experience in the automotive performance market. Responsibilities include evaluating new products from both new and existing vendors; negotiating pricing, payment terms, freight, stock adjustments and allowances/rebates; growing sales in assigned categories through maintaining the correct product assortment, competitive pricing, timely availability and creative marketing programs; and catalog and web merchandising.

By SEMA Editors

Following are dates and locations for several upcoming SEMA-sponsored shows, measuring sessions and activities.

• SEMA Town Hall Meeting, May 9, 2017, Heidts, Lake Zurich, Illinois

• SEMA Washington Rally, May 17, 2017, Washington, D.C.

• 2017 SEMA Australia Regional Business Development Conference, May 23–27, 2017, Melbourne, Australia

• SEMA Virtual Career Fair, June 1, 2017, 12:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. (EDT)

• Jeep Heritage Expo, June 3, 2017, Omix-ADA/Rugged Ridge Headquarters, Suwanee, Georgia

• TORA General Membership Meeting, June 9, 2017, Ontario Truck & Jeep Fest, Ontario, California

• PRO General Membership Meeting, June 15, 2017, Detroit Metro Airport Marriott, Detroit

• SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit, June 19–20, 2017, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas

• SEMA Town Hall Meeting, July 11, 2017, Competition Specialties, Auburn, Washington

• Collector Car Appreciation Day, July 14, 2017

• 2017 SEMA Export Fair, July 25–26, 2017, SEMA Garage, Diamond Bar, California

• SEMA Installation Gala, July 28, 2017, Sheraton Fairplex Conference Center, Pomona, California

• 2017 SEMA China Business Development Program, September 6–10, 2017, Shanghai, China

• Manufacturing Day, October 6, 2017

• 2017 SEMA Show, October 31–November 3, 2017, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas

• 2017 PRI Trade Show, December 7–9, 2017, Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis

For association-related travel, contact Manya Petropaki (manya.p@travelstore.com) at Travel Store USA, 949-930-9268.

The SEMA Show is the largest annual gathering of small businesses on the planet. It's the place where more than 130,000 industry professionals connect to do business. The SEMA Show drives the automotive industry; it's where all the latest specialty automotive products are introduced. More than 2,500 new and featured products will be displayed in the New Products Showcase to a global audience of buyers and media. The sales exposure and brand-building visibility you will gain is sure to boost your business.

The SEMA Show is the largest annual gathering of small businesses on the planet. It's the place where more than 130,000 industry professionals connect to do business. The SEMA Show drives the automotive industry; it's where all the latest specialty automotive products are introduced. More than 2,500 new and featured products will be displayed in the New Products Showcase to a global audience of buyers and media. The sales exposure and brand-building visibility you will gain is sure to boost your business.

Get the latest video, news clips and information on the motorsports bill here.

Get the latest video, news clips and information on the motorsports bill here.

Get the latest video, news clips and information on the motorsports bill here.

Get the latest video, news clips and information on the motorsports bill here.

SEMA-member companies have posted several new listings for job opportunities (view all here) in the Classifieds page of SEMA.org. Working for a SEMA-member company has many advantages. In addition to working for a company that supports and contributes to the success of the overall industry, being employed by a SEMA-member company enables employees to participate in webinars, access free market research, join SEMA committees and more.