Sales Manager

Faurecia; Hannover; On-site; EUR 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

FORVIA in Lippstadt, Germany seeks a Sales Manager Volkswagen Group (m/f/d) to lead the key VW account and shape FORVIA’s growth strategy from Germany. You will build trusted relationships with VW executives and work with cross‑functional teams to position our electronics portfolio and secure new business.

You combine a strong technical background with commercial acumen, travel as required, and an established network within the Volkswagen Group to expand FORVIA’s footprint in Europe.

Qualifications

• University degree in Electronics, Electrical Engineering, Automotive Engineering or comparable technical discipline.
• Several years of OEM account management, business development, or sales leadership within the automotive industry.
• Proven leadership experience with responsibility for managing and developing teams.
• Strong commercial and strategic thinking with the ability to translate customer needs into profitable opportunities.
• Solid understanding of complex automotive development and acquisition processes.
• Established network within Volkswagen Group is highly desirable.
• Fluency in German and English (written and spoken).
• Residence in the Lippstadt area or willingness to relocate; travel as required.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive stakeholder network across Volkswagen Group; build customer intimacy at all levels.
• Establish and execute a long‑term account strategy to strengthen FORVIA’s position across VW platforms and brands.
• Promote and position FORVIA’s advanced electronics portfolio and identify new business opportunities.
• Represent a unified One FORVIA approach with HELLA and other group entities.
• Act as a strategic ambassador to VW; open doors to key decision‑makers; travel as needed.
• Collaborate with Product Management, R&D, Program Management, and Business Development for excellent customer support.
• Drive acquisition activities and secure new business awards with Volkswagen as a growth pillar.

Skills

Electronics

Electrical Eng

Automotive Industry

OEM Account Mgmt

Business Development

Sales Leadership

Stakeholder Management

German & English

Education

Engineering Degree (Electronics/Automotive)

Job description

SALES MANAGER VW ACCOUNT

Location: Lippstadt, Germany (Hella ecosystem), Germany

Type: Full-time Position

Join us in shaping the future of automotive electronics.

We are looking for a technically savvy and commercially driven Sales Manager Volkswagen Group (m/f/d) to strengthen and expand our partnership with the Volkswagen Group. Working from Lippstadt, you will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across Germany and France and act as a key interface between our customer and internal stakeholders.

As part of the Forvia Group's electronics business, you will contribute to the growth of innovative technologies that define the next generation of mobility. The employment contract will be with a Forvia Group company operating within our advanced electronics activities.

In this key customer-facing role, you will drive the commercial development and market positioning of FCE Europe's established and industry-leading product portfolio, including:

• Remote Tuner
• Interior Monitoring System (IMS)
• Apps Market and AI-services (Software)

As the primary interface to our customers, you will build and maintain long-term strategic relationships, ensure regular engagement at operational and management levels, and actively promote our solutions across the customer organization.

Working closely with cross-functional teams, you will identify growth opportunities, support business development activities, and strengthen executive-level customer relationships to expand our footprint within the Volkswagen Group.

The ideal candidate combines a solid engineering background with strong business development and sales capabilities. You are equally comfortable discussing technical solutions with engineering teams as you are engaging with senior customer executives and decision-makers. An established network within the Volkswagen Group is considered a strong advantage.

Your Responsibilities

As Sales Manager Volkswagen Group (m/f/d), you will play a pivotal role in driving FORVIA’s growth strategy with one of our most strategic customers. Acting as the key interface between Volkswagen Group and our internal organizations, you will build trusted relationships, identify new business opportunities, and ensure the successful positioning of our innovative product portfolio.

Your key responsibilities include:

• Developing and maintaining a comprehensive stakeholder network across Volkswagen Group, creating strong customer intimacy at operational, management, and executive levels.
• Establishing and executing a long‑term customer account strategy to strengthen FORVIA’s position across Volkswagen platforms and brands.
• Promoting and positioning FORVIA’s advanced electronics portfolio while identifying and securing new business opportunities.
• Representing a unified "One FORVIA" approach in close collaboration with HELLA and other group entities.
• Acting as a strategic ambassador and trusted partner to Volkswagen, opening doors and facilitating access to key decision‑makers, including senior leadership.
• Working closely with Product Management, R&D, Program Management, and Business Development teams to ensure outstanding customer support and successful project execution.
• Driving acquisition activities and securing new business awards, supporting the continued expansion of Volkswagen as a strategic growth pillar for FCE Europe.

Your Profile

To succeed in this role, you combine technical expertise, strong commercial acumen, and an established network within the automotive industry.

You bring:

• A university degree in Electronics, Electrical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a comparable technical discipline.
• Several years of successful experience in OEM account management, business development, or sales leadership within the automotive industry.
• Proven leadership experience with responsibility for managing and developing teams.
• Strong commercial and strategic thinking, with the ability to translate customer needs into profitable business opportunities.
• Solid understanding of complex automotive development and acquisition processes.
• An established network within Volkswagen Group is highly desirable.
• The confidence and credibility to interact effectively with both technical experts and senior executives.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship‑building skills.
• Fluent German and English language skills, both written and spoken.
• Residence in the Lippstadt area or willingness to relocate, combined with a high level of customer‑facing presence and flexibility to travel as required.

What Makes You Successful

You are a proactive business leader who thrives in a dynamic international environment. You build trusted relationships, influence stakeholders at all levels, and successfully combine technical understanding with commercial excellence. Your entrepreneurial mindset, customer focus, and ability to win new business make you a key contributor to FORVIA’s future growth.

Salary Range

EUR 110.000 - 140.000