Interview with Adam Benko, Customer Program Manager
What brought you to Rolling Wireless, and what do you do here?
After 13 years working with brake systems, I wanted to take part in something new while still building on my automotive background. I stayed within the automotive industry but stepped into a different world: automotive connectivity. At Rolling Wireless, I work as a Customer Program Manager, handling customer programs for Tier‑1 automotive suppliers.
How would you describe your role to someone outside your industry?
My responsibility is to manage the customer-facing side of our development programs. I act as the main point of contact for customers, mostly Tier‑1 suppliers and occasionally OEMs, while also coordinating key aspects of projects such as issue management (together with our CSE experts), schedules, certifications, and overall alignment. When questions or topics arise internally, I also represent the company in discussions or negotiations with the customer.
What’s one part of your job that people might not expect?
Although all communication is conducted in English, I often find myself acting as a translator. This means truly understanding either internal teams or the customer, then rephrasing or choosing the right words so the other side can clearly understand. When done well, this avoids misunderstandings and saves many follow‑up questions.
What skills do you use most often in your work?
The most important skill in my role is understanding the customer’s needs, expectations, and way of thinking. Customers often don’t share the full context behind a request, so you need to anticipate what they really need, even when it’s not explicitly said. It can feel like assembling a puzzle with only partial visibility, but that challenge is also what makes the role engaging.
How do you stay aligned with other teams or departments?
We have several touchpoints to stay connected, which can be challenging since many topics progress in parallel and communication can easily become fragmented. Our internal ticketing system plays a key role as a central communication channel, significantly reducing the load on other platforms. Being available online is also essential, as most of my collaborations are with teams outside our local office around the globe.
How do you stay up to date in your field?
As I’m still relatively new to Rolling Wireless, my first focus has been to fully embrace and understand the company’s processes, then map them to my previous experience. Strong project management practices are essential for smooth execution, and while best practices are already in place, there’s always room to improve through consistent application and continuous learning.
What are you currently working on improving or learning?
The automotive industry evolves constantly, so learning never really stops. At the moment, I’m particularly focused on deepening my understanding of 4G and 5G certification processes and technical requirements, especially given the maturity of my current project.
What’s a skill you’ve developed since joining the company?
From a technical perspective, I’ve learned a great deal about connectivity. In addition, working with such an international team both internally and on the customer side has helped me further develop my communication and cross‑cultural collaboration skills.
What’s one thing about the company culture that stands out to you?
The willingness to support our programs and customers really stands out. This mindset is evident both in customer interactions and internal collaboration. Teams are often ready to commit to challenging deadlines to help secure deliveries or key milestones, and customers notice this dedication which truly makes a difference.
How does leadership support your growth?
I’m given the freedom to manage my tasks and responsibilities in a way that suits my working style, while still aligning with the company’s values. The balance between autonomy and guidance when needed creates an environment that strongly supports long‑term development and engagement.