Sales Director - Automotive Components (Tier1)

DIKTON; Piemonte; On-site; EUR 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Dikton is seeking an international Sales Director to drive growth from our advanced precision machining portfolio. The role holds full strategic and operational accountability for the global commercial organization, with responsibility for international key accounts and technical sales teams.

You will steer multi-year revenue targets, lead high-level negotiations with OEMs, and align cross-functional programs across program management, cost engineering, and manufacturing operations.

Qualifications

• Substantial commercial track record selling machined mechanical components.
• 8–10 years of automotive Tier-1 leadership experience with OEM sourcing knowledge.
• Engineering and cost-breakdown acumen.
• Fluent English (C1/C2) and Italian as mother tongue.
• Willingness to travel internationally (~30–40%).

Responsibilities

• Formulate and execute multi-year commercial strategies for international growth.
• Lead executive relationships with OEM Purchasing Directors and Platform Engineers.
• Steer end-to-end RFQ and program acquisition with cost breakdown submissions.
• Direct high-stakes contract negotiations, LTAs, and productivity targets.
• Coach and scale international Key Account Management and Sales teams.
• Forecast demand and align capacity with supply chain and operations.

Skills

Machining background

Tier-1 automotive leadership

Engineering & cost-breakdown

Fluent English (C1/C2)

Italian (native)

Education

Master’s Degree in Mechanical/Industrial/Management Engineering or MBA with technical orientation

Job description

Our client is a global Tier-1 supplier delivering high-performance, precision-engineered mechanical components and assemblies to leading international OEM and mobility groups. Specializing in high-volume, tight-tolerance CNC machining (multi-axis turning, milling, grinding, induction hardening, and complex sub-assemblies for Powertrain, Driveline, Chassis, and Braking Systems), the company combines engineering excellence, manufacturing robustness, and advanced process innovation.

In order to strengthen their Management Team, they're looking for an international Sales Director.

The Sales Director will hold full strategic and operational accountability for the international commercial organization. Leading the Key Account Management and Technical Sales teams—and collaborating closely with Program Management, Cost Engineering, and Manufacturing Operations—the role focuses on scaling profitable business, winning new vehicle platforms, and fortifying long-term strategic alliances with European and global OEMs.

• Commercial Strategy & Execution: Formulate and execute multi-year commercial strategies, revenue targets, and margin objectives aligned with corporate growth milestones;
• OEM Customer Relationship Management: Lead executive-level commercial relationships across OEM Purchasing Directors, Commodity Buyers, and Platform Chief Engineers;
• Complex RFQ & Program Acquisition: Steer the end-to-end quotation process for complex, high-value serial bids, orchestrating cycle-time estimation, process routings, tooling capital expenditures (CapEx), and cost-breakdown submissions;
• Commercial Governance & Negotiations: Direct high-stakes contract negotiations, encompassing Long-Term Agreements (LTAs), raw material indexing formulas (e.g., steel/aluminum surcharge mechanisms), VAVE initiatives, and contractual annual productivity targets (year-down clauses);
• Team Leadership & Development: Coach, manage, and scale the international Key Account Management, Sales Engineering, and Customer Service teams;
• Demand Forecasting & Capacity Alignment: Monitor program SOP/EOP milestones, OEM take-rates, forecast accuracy, and capacity allocation in tight collaboration with Supply Chain and Manufacturing Operations;
• Market Intelligence & Transition Tracking: Analyze automotive market dynamics, competitive positioning, and CO₂ footprint/sustainability mandates, identifying diversification paths into next-generation propulsion and chassis systems.

Main requirements:

• Precision Machining Background: Substantial, demonstrated commercial track record selling machined mechanical components—specifically parts produced via metal-cutting processes;
• Automotive Tier-1 Proven Track Record: Minimum 8–10 years of commercial leadership experience within the automotive Tier-1 arena, with an in-depth understanding of OEM sourcing protocols, qualification processes, and procurement dynamics;
• Engineering & Cost-Breakdown Acumen;
• Languages: Italian mothertongue, Fluent English (C1/C2) is mandatory;
• Travel Availability: willingness to travel internationally (approx. 30–40% of the time).

Desirable Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Mechanical, Industrial, or Management Engineering (or Business Administration with a heavy technical orientation).
• Strong commercial acumen with a P&L and margin-driven mindset.
• Executive presence, structured strategic negotiation, and stakeholder management capability.
• High resilience, agile decision-making, and comfort navigating complex multi-year automotive program schedules.