Technical Sales Manager

HARMAN International; Diegem; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee discounts on JBL/Harman/Samsu

HARMAN University programs

Be Brilliant recognition program

Job summary

HARMAN Automotive is seeking a Sales and Marketing Manager, Premium Audio EMEA to lead customer-facing audio sales and strategic growth with Toyota/Lexus across Europe. You will develop account plans, build key relationships, and translate roadmaps into customer value propositions.

You will collaborate with cross-functional teams across Audio Product Management, Acoustics, Engineering, and Marketing to drive launches, activations, and post-launch growth while traveling up to 30%.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of relevant experience in B2B sales, brand marketing, business development, product management, or customer-facing program management.
• Experience designing and executing growth plans with OEM customers, including take-rate improvement, launches, dealer engagement or local market activation.
• Proven ability to engage credibly with both technical and commercial stakeholders across customer and internal organizations.
• 5+ years of project/program coordination experience.
• 5+ years of leadership experience in a matrix environment, including leadership of international teams.
• Strong analytical capability and curiosity to measure, test, and iterate to improve business results.
• Experience collaborating effectively in multicultural and international environments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and storytelling ability.
• Results-driven, proactive, and able to manage multiple customer initiatives simultaneously.

Responsibilities

• Lead customer-facing audio technical sales and business development for Toyota/Lexus EMEA, focusing on JBL for Toyota and Mark Levinson for Lexus.
• Develop and execute strategic account plans to protect awarded audio business and drive growth through broader trim access and launches.
• Build and maintain relationships with Toyota Motor Europe, Lexus Europe and key markets.
• Engage early in product lifecycle to identify opportunities and pitch Harman audio roadmaps.
• Coordinate audio concepts, demo cars, prototypes, and customer demonstrations with Harman teams.
• Support pre‑RFQ, RFI/RFQ and acquisition activities from an audio-tech sales perspective.
• Support development and launch phases with aligned expectations, specs, and training.
• Drive market integration by visiting countries and coordinating activations and campaigns.
• Coordinate with Marketing and PR for pan-European events and brand engagement.
• Gather market data and competitive benchmarks to support planning and sales growth decisions.

Skills

B2B sales

Brand marketing

Business development

Product management

Customer-facing

Project coordination

Leadership

Cross-functional leadership

English proficiency

Job description

Introduction: A Career at HARMAN Automotive

We’re a global, multi-disciplinary team that’s putting the innovative power of technology to work and transforming tomorrow. At HARMAN Automotive, we give you the keys to fast-track your career.

• Engineer audio systems and integrated technology platforms that augment the driving experience
• Combine ingenuity, in-depth research, and a spirit of collaboration with design and engineering excellence
• Advance in-vehicle infotainment, safety, efficiency, and enjoyment

What You’ll Be Part Of

The Sales and Marketing Manager, Premium Audio EMEA is a sales‑owned, customer‑facing role responsible for protecting and growing the JBL and Mark Levinson audio OEM business in Europe. The role combines business development, technical sales and brand marketing across the entire product lifecycle, from early technology engagement and pre‑development to acquisition, development, launch, and post‑launch take‑rate growth.

This role acts as the main audio interface in Europe between Toyota Motor Europe, Lexus Europe, key national markets and Harman internal teams including Audio Product Management, Acoustics, Engineering, Program Management, Lifestyle Audio, Marketing and Account Management.

How You’ll Make An Impact

• Lead customer-facing audio technical sales and business development for Toyota/Lexus EMEA, focused on JBL for Toyota and Mark Levinson for Lexus.
• Develop and execute strategic account plans that protect awarded audio business and create growth through broader trim access, special editions, model‑year opportunities, launch support and take‑rate initiatives.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with Toyota Motor Europe, Lexus Europe and key national markets
• Engage early in the product lifecycle to identify new vehicle and advanced‑engineering opportunities, translate Harman audio roadmaps into customer value propositions, and pitch new technologies to Toyota/Lexus stakeholders.
• Coordinate audio concepts, demo cars, prototypes, technology shows and customer demonstrations with Harman Audio Product Management, Acoustics, Engineering, Program Management and Lifestyle Audio teams.
• Support pre‑RFQ, RFI/RFQ and acquisition activities from an audio technical‑sales perspective, including business cases, customer proposals, product concept alignment, technical‑requirement clarification and internal gate preparation.
• Support development and launch phases by aligning customer expectations, product specifications, design changes, demo/prototype vehicles, launch plans, dealer/salesforce training and marketing support tools.
• Drive market integration by visiting key countries, understanding local sales and marketing plans, identifying opportunities and coordinating local activations, training, incentive campaigns and special editions.
• Coordinate with Marketing and PR teams to support pan‑European and local customer events, media activities, vehicle launches, lifestyle activations and JBL/Mark Levinson brand engagement.
• Gather and analyze market data, competitive benchmarks, take‑rate information and customer feedback to support business planning, product‑roadmap alignment and sales growth decisions.
• Act as the internal coordinator across Sales, Product, Engineering, Marketing, Finance and Operations for Toyota/Lexus audio growth opportunities and customer engagement actions.

What Makes You A Strong Fit

• 10+ years of relevant experience in B2B sales, brand marketing, business development, product management, or customer‑facing program management.
• Experience designing and executing growth plans with OEM customers, including take‑rate improvement, launches, dealer/salesforce engagement or local market activation.
• Proven ability to engage credibly with both technical and commercial stakeholders across customer and internal organizations.
• 5+ years of project/program coordination experience, gaining consensus and driving deliverables with cross‑functional teams inside and outside the organization.
• 5+ years of leadership experience in a matrix environment, including direct or indirect leadership of diversified international teams.
• Strong analytical capability and natural curiosity to measure, test, learn and iterate to improve business results.
• Experience collaborating effectively in multicultural and international business environments.
• Very strong written and verbal communication skills, with excellent presentation and storytelling ability.
• Results‑driven, proactive, collaborative and capable of managing multiple customer initiatives simultaneously.
• Professional working proficiency in English, both written and spoken.

Bonus Points if You Have

• Direct experience with premium/branded audio systems.
• Experience with co‑marketing, PR, salesforce training, dealer engagement or lifestyle‑brand activation.
• Understanding of automotive branded audio value propositions, vehicle packaging, demo/prototype processes and customer requirement management.
• Experience working with automotive OEMs or strategic alliance partners with an international footprint.
• Understanding of the automotive product lifecycle, including pre‑development, acquisition, development, launch and post‑launch commercial management.
• Previous experience with Toyota/Lexus or another Japanese OEM.
• International experience gained through living or working abroad.
• Technical or business degree in engineering, acoustics, business, marketing or a related field.
• Capability to communicate in more European languages; Japanese language or cultural exposure is an advantage.

Things To Know

• Be willing to travel up to 30%, domestic and international, including frequent travel to customer events.
• Be willing to work from the Diegem/Brussels office with hybrid work according to HARMAN policy.
• Hold authorization to work in Belgium or the European Union, if required.

What You Can Expect

• A hybrid work environment that balances flexibility with in‑person collaboration, with most office‑based roles onsite three days a week.
• Access to employee discounts on HARMAN and Samsung products (including JBL, Harman / Kardon, AKG, and others).
• Learning and development opportunities through our award‑winning HARMAN University programs.
• Inclusive and diverse work environment that fosters and encourages career development opportunities.
• “Be Brilliant” employee recognition and rewards program.

You Belong Here

HARMAN is committed to making every employee feel welcomed, valued, and empowered. No matter what role you play, we encourage you to share your ideas, voice your distinct perspective, and bring your whole self with you – all within a support‑minded culture that celebrates what makes each of us unique. We also recognize that learning is a lifelong pursuit and want you to flourish. We proudly offer added opportunities for training, development, and continuing education, further empowering you to live the career you want.

About HARMAN: Where Innovation Unleashes Next‑Level Technology

Ever since the 1920s, we’ve been amplifying the sense of sound. Today, that legacy endures, with integrated technology platforms that make the world smarter, safer, and more connected.

Across automotive, lifestyle, and digital transformation solutions, we create innovative technologies that turn ordinary moments into extraordinary experiences. Our renowned automotive and lifestyle solutions can be found everywhere, from the music we play in our cars and homes to venues that feature today’s most sought‑after performers, while our digital transformation solutions serve humanity by addressing the world’s ever‑evolving needs and demands. Marketing our award‑winning portfolio under 16 iconic brands, such as JBL, Mark Levinson, and Revel, we set ourselves apart by exceeding the highest engineering and design standards for our customers, our partners and each other.

If you’re ready to innovate and do work that makes a lasting impact, join our talent community today!

HARMAN is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. HARMAN strives to hire the best qualified candidates and is committed to building a workforce representative of the diverse marketplaces and communities of our global colleagues and customers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. HARMAN attracts, hires, and develops employees based on merit, qualifications and job‑related performance.