Key Account Manager

TOTAL Deutschland GmbH; Mannheim; Vor Ort; EUR 90.000 - 130.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

TOTAL Deutschland GmbH is seeking a high-performing Key Account Manager to develop and manage strategic relationships with German automotive OEMs, including VW Group, Audi and Porsche. You will lead commercial negotiations, coordinate cross-functional programs, and drive revenue growth across AVS Europe while maintaining executive-level engagement and long-term customer satisfaction.

Willingness to travel extensively is essential.

Qualifikationen

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant field.
• 5–10+ years of sales or key account management in Automotive.
• Fluent German is mandatory; other European languages are a plus.

Aufgaben

• Develop and execute strategic account plans for German OEMs (VW Group, Audi, Porsche).
• Lead commercial negotiations for RFQs, contracts, pricing, tooling, and long-term agreements.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure customer requirements and program milestones are met.
• Manage margins, pricing, and escalation handling across AVS Europe.
• Maintain executive-level relationships with OEM purchasing, engineering, and program management teams.

Kenntnisse

Key Account Management

Strategic selling

Negotiation

Cross-functional collaboration

German language

Ausbildung

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Business/Engineering

Jobbeschreibung

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.
• 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.
• 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).
• Additional European languages are a plus.

Commercial Skills

• Strategic selling
• Pricing management
• Financial analysis

Technical Understanding

• Experience in Automotive AVS be a plus
• Manufacturing processes
• Quality systems (IATF 16949)
• Program management

Leadership Skills

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

Personal Attributes

• Customer-focused mindset
• Results-oriented
• 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.
• Establish a robust pipeline of future vehicle platform opportunities.
• Contribute to the company's strategic growth within the German automotive market.