Assistant Manager PBV Product Planning (all genders welcome)

Kia Europe GmbH; Frankfurt; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation package

Private leasing offer

Free staff restaurant

Systematic training and Health Management support

Job summary

Kia Europe GmbH is looking for an Assistant Manager in PBV Product Planning at their Frankfurt location. The role supports the PBV Product Team in shaping the product strategy and requires knowledge in Light Commercial Vehicles and EV technologies.

The candidate will analyze market trends and collaborate with various stakeholders to ensure informed decision-making and a cohesive product strategy. Benefits include a competitive compensation package and health management support.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3+ years of experience in Product Planning/Management or EV Technology domains.
• Fluent in English (written and spoken); additional European languages are a plus.
• Experience with automotive databases and tools required.

Responsibilities

• Support new PBV product launches through collaboration with teams.
• Translate industry trends into actionable product features and characteristics.
• Gather data for product specifications and regional/local regulations.

Skills

Quantitative and analytical skills

Collaboration in multicultural environments

Self-confidence and resilience

Education

3+ years in Product Planning/Management or EV Technology

Exposure to Automotive Product Management

Tools

Automotive databases (e.g. S&P, Jato)

AI-based productivity tools

Job description

Join the movement and find new inspiration

We have an exciting opportunity as:

Assistant Manager PBV Product Planning (all genders welcome) in the Product & Pricing department at the Kia Europe Headquarters in Frankfurt/Main, Germany.

Job mission:

• We are seeking a Systemic & Analytical Thinking Assistant Manager to support the PBV Product Team in defining Kia’s mid- to short-term PBV product strategy for Europe. This role plays a key part in shaping product characteristics, identifying compelling USPs, ensuring strategic consistency across the PBV line-up, and strengthening product positioning within the European market.
• The successful candidate will contribute to vehicle definition by translating market intelligence into actionable product direction. This includes defining core vehicle characteristics and features based on:
  • In-depth understanding of EU market and segment trends
  • Deployment of HMG and Kia technology and development strategies (platforms, AER, charging performance, vehicle efficiency)
  • Alignment with platform and charging technology roadmaps
  • Strategic foresight with a 3–5 year planning horizon
• This role requires a strong foundation in Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) knowledge, including customer needs by segment and body type portfolio strategy. A solid understanding of EV technologies and EU regulatory frameworks is essential.
• The ideal candidate combines analytical rigor with systemic thinking and can effectively collaborate and communicate across regional and global stakeholders to drive alignment and deliver cohesive product strategies.

Your responsibilities:

• Product Planning & Launch Support:Collaborate closely with KEU Pricing, Marketing Communication, PR, Online Marketing, Sales, and Kia HQ (Seoul, S. Korea) to support new PBV product launches.
• Market & Customer Insights:Translate industry trends and customer analysis into actionable product characteristics, features, and USPs. Conduct competitive positioning analysis, pricing assessments, and basket proposals to guide portfolio lifecycle management.
• Data Aggregation & Compliance:Regularly gather and consolidate data from NVEs and partners regarding product specifications and regional/local regulations for PBVs (including e-LCVs).
• Stakeholder Support:Act as a key contact for internal teams, NSCs, and Distributors by providing competitor benchmarking, internal product surveys, and feedback on product-related topics.
• Strategic Analysis:Analyze the competitive landscape to inform a Pan-European PBV Trimline Strategy, providing recommendations aligned with vehicle specifications.
• Competitor Benchmarking:Support on-site competitor product benchmarking and evaluation events to ensure informed decision‑making.

Your talents:

• Excellent quantitative and analytical skills to interpret data and support decision-making.
• Self‑confidence, positive thinking, resilience, flexibility and ability to adapt in a multicultural and fast‑moving environment.
• Cooperative nature to ensure smooth information flow and a good collaboration.
• Minimum 3+ years of experience in Product Planning/Management or EV Technology domains.
• Exposure to Automotive Product Management and Product Development is highly desirable.
• Experience with automotive database and tools [e.g. S&P, Jato, NVES], quantitative and qualitative research, AI‑based productivity tools.
• Fluent in English (written and spoken); additional European languages are a plus.

Benefits:

• A competitive compensation package; private leasing offer; systematic off and on‑the‑job training, free staff restaurant, support as concerns Health Management and more.