Key Account Manager

Stanley Executive Search, Inc; Stuttgart; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Stanley Executive Search, Inc is seeking a Strategic Account Manager for the German OEM sector. You will develop account strategies, lead RFQ processes, and coordinate with engineering and costing teams to drive profitable partnerships.

The role requires 3–5 years in automotive B2B sales, fluency in English and German, and willingness to travel 30–50% within Germany as well as occasional visits to global HQ in China. Hybrid work setup is available in Stuttgart region.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering, Business Administration, or related field; engineering background with commercial acumen is preferred.
• 3–5 years in B2B sales or Key Account Management within automotive components (Tier-1 to OEMs).
• Fluency in English and German mandatory; German or French proficiency is a plus for the region.
• Strong negotiation, presentation, and intercultural communication skills; able to work remotely/regional with HQ in China.

Responsibilities

• Strategic account management: develop and execute account strategies for German OEMs (VW Group, BMW, Mercedes-Benz).
• Business development & sales: identify new opportunities, lead RFQ, negotiate pricing and terms.
• Project coordination: act as commercial interface during product development (APQP, PPAP) up to SOP; ensure milestones & costs.
• Cross-functional leadership: collaborate with global R&D, Supply Chain, Quality, and Manufacturing.
• Market intelligence: monitor market trends and regulatory changes to advise product strategy.
• Financial management: manage account profitability, receivables, and resolve disputes and warranty issues.

Skills

Strategic Account Management

RFQ Leadership

Cross-functional Leadership

Market Intelligence

Negotiation & Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Business

Job description

• Strategic Account Management: Develop and execute comprehensive account strategies for assigned German OEMs (e.g., VW Group, BMW, Mercedes-Benz). Build deep, multi-level relationships with key stakeholders in Purchasing, R&D, and Quality.
• Business Development & Sales: Identify new business opportunities within existing and target accounts. Lead the RFQ (Request for Quotation) process, coordinate with internal engineering and costing teams, and successfully negotiate pricing, capacity, and commercial terms.
• Project Coordination: Act as the primary commercial interface during product development phases (APQP, PPAP) leading up to Start of Production (SOP). Ensure milestones, quality standards, and cost targets are met in alignment with customer expectations.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Collaborate closely with global R&D, Supply Chain, Quality, and Manufacturing teams to ensure seamless delivery and high customer satisfaction.
• Market Intelligence: Monitor market trends, competitor activities, and regulatory changes in the local automotive landscape to advise internal product strategy.
• Financial Management: Manage account profitability, track receivables, and resolve any commercial disputes, tooling cost recoveries, or warranty claims effectively.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Education: Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field. An engineering background combined with commercial acumen is highly preferred.
• Experience: Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in B2B sales or Key Account Management within the automotive components industry (Tier 1 supplying to OEMs).
• Industry Knowledge: Proven track record of successfully managing German automotive OEM accounts. Strong familiarity with automotive industry standards (IATF 16949, VDA) and typical project development phases.
• Language Skills: Business fluency in English and German is mandatory. Fluency in German or French is highly preferred and a significant advantage for this region.
• Soft Skills: Strong negotiation, presentation, and intercultural communication skills. Ability to work independently in a remote/regional setup while staying highly aligned with Global HQ in China.
• Mobility: Willingness to travel frequently within Germany (approx. 30-50%) to visit clients, and occasionally to global headquarters for alignment.