Key Account Manager
On-siteMannheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany
Job Summary
Develop and execute strategic account plans for German OEMs including Volkswagen, Audi, and Porsche to secure new business and drive annual revenue growth. Lead commercial negotiations for RFQs, contracts, and long-term agreements while managing pricing, tooling, and margin targets. Build executive-level relationships with customer purchasing, engineering, and quality teams to coordinate cross-functional support for program launches and change management. Maintain accurate sales forecasts, monitor market trends, and ensure achievement of profitability and customer satisfaction KPIs. Fluent German and English required with extensive travel to customer sites in Germany and France.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Industrial Management, or related field
- 5–10+ years of sales or key account management experience in the Automotive industry
- Proven experience managing German Automotive customers
- Strong knowledge of automotive development processes (APQP, PPAP, RFQ, SOP)
- Fluent German (mandatory)
- Fluent English (mandatory)
- Strategic selling
- Contract negotiation
- Pricing management
- Financial analysis
- Business case development
- Automotive product development
- Manufacturing processes
- Quality systems (IATF 16949)
- Program management
- Vehicle platform architecture
- Influencing without direct authority
- Cross-functional team leadership
- Problem-solving
- Conflict resolution
- Executive communication
- Customer-focused mindset
- Strong negotiation skills
- Results-oriented
- Entrepreneurial attitude
- High level of autonomy
- Willingness to travel extensively
- Existing network within OEMs like Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Porsche, or Stellantis Germany
- Experience with electrification, thermal management, sealing systems, NVH, fluid transfer systems, or automotive electronics
- Experience managing international manufacturing footprints and global customer programs
Desired Qualifications
- Experience with Tier-1 Automotive suppliers
- Experience in EV/BEV projects
- Experience in Automotive AVS
- Additional European languages
- Experience in Automotive AVS be a plus
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