Job Description – Key Account Manager (German OEMs / ..) – Automotive Industry

Job Title

Key Account Manager – German OEMs / .. (Automotive)

Location

Germany , Mannheim(Frequent travel to customer sites / manufacturing locations / Engineering center France)

Reports To

Head of AVS Sales Europe 

Position Summary

The Key Account Manager (KAM) is responsible for developing, managing, and growing strategic business relationships with German automotive OEMs such as Volkswagen Group, Audi and Porsche. 

The role focuses on securing new business opportunities, increasing revenue and profitability, coordinating customer programs, and ensuring customer satisfaction throughout the product lifecycle.

The KAM serves as the primary commercial interface between the customer and internal AVS functions including engineering, purchasing, program management, operations, quality, and finance.

Key Responsibilities

Business Development & Sales

• Develop and execute strategic account plans for assigned German OEM customers.
• Identify and secure new business opportunities aligned with company growth objectives.
• Lead commercial negotiations for RFQs, contracts, pricing, tooling, and long-term agreements.
• Revenue responsibility for assigned key customers within AVS Europe 
• Monitor market trends, competitor activities, and customer product strategies.
• Drive annual sales growth and profitability targets.

Customer Relationship Management

• Build strong executive-level relationships within OEM purchasing, engineering, quality, and program management teams.
• Act as the primary contact for customer commercial matters.
• Maintain regular customer visits and review meetings.
• Develop customer intimacy and understand future platform and vehicle development roadmaps.

Program Management Support

• Support launch activities for new programs from quotation through serial production.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure customer requirements are met.
• Monitor program milestones, risks, and customer expectations.
• Participate in engineering reviews and change management processes.

Commercial Management

• Prepare and present business cases, quotations in collaboration with costing and engineering teams.
• Negotiate annual productivity agreements and cost recovery claims.
• Manage commercial escalations regarding pricing, quality, logistics, and engineering changes.
• Ensure achievement of margin and contribution targets.

Operative / Strategic Planning

• Creation and responsibility for operative planning (budget) of assigned customers within AVS Europe
• Analyze customer sourcing strategies and future vehicle programs.
• Develop long-term account growth strategies.
• Support acquisition plans for EV, hybrid, and next-generation mobility platforms.
• Maintain accurate sales forecasts and pipeline reporting.

Internal Coordination

• Work closely with: 
  • Engineering
  • Project Management
  • Operations
  • Quality
  • Purchasing
  • Finance
  • Supply Chain
• Coordinate customer requirements across all business functions.
• Ensure timely communication of customer expectations and changes.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• New business awards (€).
• Annual revenue of assigned customers within AVS Europe
• Gross margin achievement.
• RFQ conversion rate.
• Customer satisfaction score.
• Quote response time.
• Launch performance and program success.
• Customer growth in line with AVS strategic roadmap
• EBIT contribution.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in: 
  • Business Administration
  • Engineering
  • Automotive Engineering
  • Industrial Management
  • Related field

Experience

• 5–10+ years of sales or key account management experience in the Automotive industry.
• Proven experience managing German Automotive customers.
• Experience with Tier-1 Automotive suppliers preferred.
• Strong knowledge of automotive development processes (APQP, PPAP, RFQ, SOP).
• Experience in EV/BEV projects is an advantage.

Languages

• Fluent German (mandatory).
• Fluent English (mandatory).
• Additional European languages are a plus.

Required Competencies

Commercial Skills

• Strategic selling
• Contract negotiation
• Pricing management
• Financial analysis
• Business case development

Technical Understanding

• Automotive product development
• Experience in Automotive AVS be a plus
• Manufacturing processes
• Quality systems (IATF 16949)
• Program management
• Vehicle platform architecture

Leadership Skills

• Influencing without direct authority
• Cross-functional team leadership
• Problem-solving
• Conflict resolution
• Executive communication

Personal Attributes

• Customer-focused mindset
• Strong negotiation skills
• Results-oriented
• Entrepreneurial attitude
• High level of autonomy
• Willingness to travel extensively

Preferred Experience

• Existing network within OEM´s 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.

Expected Outcomes

Within the first 12 months, the Key Account Manager should:

• Achieve annual sales objectives.
• Secure new business nominations from assigned OEMs.
• Strengthen executive-level customer relationships.
• Improve account profitability.
• Establish a robust pipeline of future vehicle platform opportunities.
• Contribute to the company's strategic growth within the German automotive market.