Key Account Manager, Automotive Parts

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 Key Account Manager (KAM) to develop and expand our business with German automotive OEMs. The ideal candidate will bridge our global engineering and manufacturing capabilities with the specific needs of the German automotive market, driving revenue growth, managing strategic relationships, and ensuring 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., 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.