Director of Automotive Aftersales Quality SME

Director of Automotive Aftersales Quality SME

Description

Upstream is the leading AI platform, purpose-built for connected vehicles and smart mobility. By harnessing the power of ML and AI, we help automakers fast-track after-sales vehicle quality and secure their fleets.

We seek a seasoned automotive industry expert to serve as Upstream’s subject-matter expert in after-sales vehicle quality or connected vehicle warranty analytics. This pivotal role will drive thought leadership, influence our go-to-market strategy, and serve as a trusted advisor with strategic customers and internal stakeholders.

The ideal candidate brings deep experience in OEM quality, understands the automotive and Tier-1s supply chain, field investigations related to warranty claims and recall campaigns, hands-on experience related to connected vehicles, software-defined vehicles and vehicle telemetry analytics, as well as a passion for AI and innovation.

This role is full-time, and is Germany based.

Responsibilities

Strategic Industry Expertise

• Serve as the internal go-to expert for the latest automotive trends, warranty claim lifecycle, recall analysis, product feedback, and sales opportunities.
• Support product teams with market insights and technical validation of new quality-related use cases, early detection capabilities, as well as internal field quality systems and processes.

Go-to-Market and Customer Engagement

• Collaborate with Sales, Marketing, and Product teams to shape messaging, positioning, and engagement strategies for lighthouse accounts.
• Engage directly with OEM executives, after-sales experts and partners to communicate, evangelize, respond to RFPs, and support Upstream’s go-to-market activities.

Thought Leadership & Evangelism

• Represent Upstream as an industry expert at global events, conferences, webinars, and executive workshops.
• Develop and deliver compelling presentations, blogs, whitepapers, and other content to position Upstream as a trusted partner for automotive quality and innovation.
• Contribute to the design and delivery of customer workshops, proofs-of-value, and solution roadmaps.

Requirements

• 7+ years of experience in an after-sales role in an OEM or an automotive BU at a tech/consulting vendor focused on after-sales quality, customer satisfaction, or warranty/recalls.
• In-depth understanding of after-sales vehicle quality strategies, warranty analytics, root cause analysis, OTA campaigns, countermeasures and supplier quality management.
• You earn trust, build trust, and maintain trust
• Ownership: Operates with a company-wide mindset, consistently stepping up to solve problems and drive impact beyond their immediate scope.
• Trusted Advisor: Strong grasp of evolving industry trends: connected vehicles, SDVs, deep hands-on experience with existing EV and future zonal architectures, and deep dive into each of the car systems.
• A strong network across the automotive ecosystem.
• Proven experience working with or alongside data analytics or AI-driven platforms is advantageous.
• Proven ability to work independently and effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Highly self-motivated and proactive, with a strong sense of ownership and the ability to drive initiatives independently.
• Proven experience speaking at industry events or representing companies in executive-level conversations.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills in English - written, verbal and PowerPoint.

Upstream is an equal opportunity employer. All candidates for employment will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law.