Assistant Manager PBV Product Planning (all genders welcome)

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We have an exciting opportunity as:

Assistant Manager PBV Product Planning (all genders welcome) in the Product & Pricing department at the Kia Europe Headquarters in Frankfurt/Main, Germany.

Job mission:

• We are seeking a Systemic & Analytical Thinking Assistant Manager to support the PBV Product Team in defining Kia’s mid- to short-term PBV product strategy for Europe. This role plays a key part in shaping product characteristics, identifying compelling USPs, ensuring strategic consistency across the PBV line-up, and strengthening product positioning within the European market.
• The successful candidate will contribute to vehicle definition by translating market intelligence into actionable product direction. This includes defining core vehicle characteristics and features based on:
  • In-depth understanding of EU market and segment trends
  • Deployment of HMG and Kia technology and development strategies (platforms, AER, charging performance, vehicle efficiency)
  • Alignment with platform and charging technology roadmaps
  • Strategic foresight with a 3–5 year planning horizon
• This role requires a strong foundation in Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) knowledge, including customer needs by segment and body type portfolio strategy. A solid understanding of EV technologies and EU regulatory frameworks is essential.
• The ideal candidate combines analytical rigor with systemic thinking and can effectively collaborate and communicate across regional and global stakeholders to drive alignment and deliver cohesive product strategies.

Your responsibilities:

• Product Planning & Launch Support: Collaborate closely with KEU Pricing, Marketing Communication, PR, Online Marketing, Sales, and Kia HQ (Seoul, S. Korea) to support new PBV product launches.
• Market & Customer Insights: Translate industry trends and customer analysis into actionable product characteristics, features, and USPs. Conduct competitive positioning analysis, pricing assessments, and basket proposals to guide portfolio lifecycle management.
• Data Aggregation & Compliance: Regularly gather and consolidate data from NVEs and partners regarding product specifications and regional/local regulations for PBVs (including e-LCVs).
• Stakeholder Support: Act as a key contact for internal teams, NSCs, and Distributors by providing competitor benchmarking, internal product surveys, and feedback on product-related topics.
• Strategic Analysis: Analyze the competitive landscape to inform a Pan-European PBV Trimline Strategy, providing recommendations aligned with vehicle specifications.
• Competitor Benchmarking: Support on-site competitor product benchmarking and evaluation events to ensure informed decision‑making.

Your talents:

• Excellent quantitative and analytical skills to interpret data and support decision-making.
• Self‑confidence, positive thinking, resilience, flexibility and ability to adapt in a multicultural and fast‑moving environment.
• Cooperative nature to ensure smooth information flow and a good collaboration.
• Minimum 3+ years of experience in Product Planning/Management or EV Technology domains.
• Exposure to Automotive Product Management and Product Development is highly desirable.
• Experience with automotive database and tools (e.g. S&P, Jato, NVES), quantitative and qualitative research, AI‑based productivity tools.
• Fluent in English (written and spoken); additional European languages are a plus.

Benefits:

• A competitive compensation package; private leasing offer; systematic off and on‑the‑job training, free staff restaurant, support as concerns Health Management and more.