Kirk Morris is a seasoned executive with over 30 years of experience in the automotive industry, primarily with Joyson Safety Systems and Takata. With a diverse background spanning sales, engineering, marketing, program management, and quality, Kirk has played a pivotal role in leading the design, development, and launch of life-saving products such as seatbelts, airbags, and steering wheels and electronic sensors.
In his most recent role Kirk serves as Vice President of Sales – Americas at Joyson Safety Systems, Kirk oversees customer commercial activity for North and South America, leading strategic negotiations with top automotive manufacturers and managing a team of 40 sales professionals. He has achieved significant margin improvements through successful new business negotiations and program bookings during challenging market conditions.
Prior to his current position, Kirk served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer at Joyson Safety Systems, where he led the Advanced Product Development team to create innovative safety solutions that set new industry standards. His strategic leadership resulted in successful acquisitions worth billions of dollars and the development of new markets for critical safety products. During the COVID-19 crisis, while their customer facilities were shut down, he was instrumental in pivoting the company to produce and sell health care products using their manufacturing capabilities.
Kirk holds an MBA from Michigan State University’s Eli Broad Graduate School of Management, graduating Magna Cum Laude, and a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from McMaster University. He is fluent in English and proficient in French.
Driven by a passion for automotive excellence and a commitment to safety innovation, Kirk Morris continues to make significant contributions to the automotive industry through his strategic leadership and technical expertise.
Character: Kirk Morris is a dedicated and ethical leader in the automotive industry, known for his integrity, commitment to excellence, and belief in leading by example.
Knowledge: With over 30 years of experience, Kirk possesses extensive expertise in sales, engineering, finance, quality, program management, business development, and B2B marketing, enabling him to drive successful outcomes in various aspects of the automotive sector.
Strategic: Kirk demonstrates exceptional strategic acumen by leading successful negotiations with top customers, managing large teams effectively, and spearheading innovative solutions that set new industry standards.
Communication: Kirk excels in building strong relationships with customers, leading high-level negotiations, and effectively communicating complex technical concepts, fostering collaboration and driving results in the automotive market.
