Technical Sales Manager-German OEM Market

SINOTEC; Stuttgart; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

SINOTEC is seeking a Technical Sales Manager to drive revenue growth with German automotive OEMs. You will bridge global engineering and manufacturing with local market needs, leading RFQ processes, product development interfaces, and cross-functional collaboration to meet quality and cost targets.

The role requires 3–5 years in technical sales or KAM within automotive components, fluency in English and German, and willingness to travel 30–50% across Germany.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline (e.g., Mechanical, Electrical, Automotive Engineering).
• Minimum 3–5 years of experience in technical sales, FAE, or key account management in automotive components.
• Strong knowledge of IATF 16949 and VDA standards; experience with APQP/PPAP is a plus.
• Business fluency in English and German; German or French is a plus.
• Excellent presentation, negotiation and intercultural communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Account Management: develop strategies for German OEMs and build multi-level relationships with stakeholders in R&D, Engineering, Quality, and Purchasing.
• Business Development & Sales: identify opportunities, lead RFQ processes, and negotiate technical specs, pricing, capacity and terms.
• Project Engineering Coordination: act as the primary technical/commercial interface through APQP/PPAP up to SOP.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: collaborate with global R&D, Supply Chain, Quality, and Manufacturing to resolve engineering challenges.
• Market & Technology Intelligence: monitor trends, competitor tech, and regulatory changes affecting the German auto landscape.
• Commercial Management: manage account profitability, receivables, and resolve disputes or warranty claims.

Skills

Strategic Account Management

Business Development & Sales

Project Engineering Coordination

Cross-Functional Leadership

Market & Technology Intelligence

Commercial Management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Job description

Sinotec is a leading global manufacturer of tier-1 automotive components, specializing in electrification and smart mobility solutions. With a strong R&D foundation and manufacturing footprint in Asia and Europe, we are rapidly expanding our presence in the German market to better serve our OEM partners.

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Technical Sales Manager to develop and expand our business with German automotive OEMs. The ideal candidate will leverage their technical background to bridge our global engineering and manufacturing capabilities with the specific needs of the German automotive market.

This role aims to drive revenue growth, manage strategic technical relationships, and ensure successful project lifecycle execution (from RFQ to SOP).

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Account Management: Develop and execute comprehensive account strategies for assigned German OEMs (e.g., Mercedes-Benz, Daimler Truck). Build deep, multi-level relationships with key stakeholders, particularly in R&D, Engineering, Quality, and Purchasing.
• Business Development & Sales: Identify new business opportunities and lead technical evaluations within existing and target accounts. Lead the RFQ (Request for Quotation) process, coordinate with internal engineering and costing teams for feasibility analysis, and successfully negotiate technical specifications, pricing, capacity, and commercial terms.
• Project Engineering Coordination: Act as the primary technical and commercial interface during product development phases (APQP, PPAP) leading up to Start of Production (SOP). Ensure technical 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 resolve complex engineering challenges and ensure seamless delivery and high customer satisfaction.
• Market & Technology Intelligence: Monitor market trends, competitor technology advancements, and regulatory changes in the local automotive landscape to advise internal product R&D strategy.
• Commercial 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 an Engineering discipline (e.g., Mechanical, Electrical, Automotive Engineering, or related technical field). An engineering background combined with strong commercial acumen is highly preferred.

Experience

Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in Technical Sales, Field Application Engineering (FAE), 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 and driving technical solutions. Strong familiarity with automotive industry standards (IATF 16949, VDA) and typical project development phases.

Language Skills

Business fluency in English and German is mandatory for technical and commercial communication. Fluency in German or French is highly preferred and a significant advantage for this region.

Soft Skills

Strong technical presentation, negotiation, 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%) for technical client visits, and occasionally to global headquarters for alignment.