VP Sales & Program Management

Vice President Sales & Program Management - Automotive (f/m)

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and disciplinary leadership of the global Sales organization and the European Program Management function
• Design, build, and continuously optimize a global sales organization and governance model for complete seating systems, including end-to-end sales, approval, and escalation processes
• Define and execute global sales, revenue, and growth strategies for OEM customers (incl. VW Group) and third-party business, including joint ventures in China and the USA
• Drive market intelligence, competitive analysis, and long-term sales planning to ensure sustainable growth and profitability
• Lead C-level customer relationships and develop long-term strategic partnerships with global OEMs
• Own all Business Development and Advanced Sales activities for complete seating systems across global markets
• Oversee quotation, pricing, and global approval processes, ensuring competitiveness, compliance, and timely submission
• Lead contract reviews, commercial negotiations, and pricing strategies in close alignment with legal and finance
• Steer price negotiations, claims, and escalation management at executive level
• Ensure efficient sales administration throughout acquisition, industrialization, and series production phases
• Guarantee on-time execution of all JIS/JIT projects across European and international locations
• Support acquisition of new customer programs and platforms while ensuring alignment with corporate strategy
• Ensure program profitability and financial performance in line with customer expectations and internal targets
• Establish robust reporting, forecasting, and escalation frameworks for sales and program status
• Develop, coach, and qualify Program Managers based on global capacity and competency planning
• Ensure delivery excellence across programs with clear focus on cost, timing, quality, and KPI achievement
• Define, implement, and continuously improve global project and program management standards based on best practices
• Review and approve program-related contractual documentation

Your Profile

• University degree in Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a comparable discipline
• Extensive leadership experience within the automotive industry, preferably in interior or seating systems
• Minimum 5–7 years of international experience in Sales, Business Development, and Program / Project Management at senior leadership level
• Proven track record in managing OEM relationships, Tier-1 environments, and complex vehicle launch programs
• Deep understanding of product development, industrialization, SOP, and the full automotive product lifecycle
• Strong expertise in commercial strategy, pricing, contract law, financial performance management, and global sales governance
• Demonstrated experience in strategic business development, market expansion, and joint-venture / third-party business models
• Strong executive presence with the ability to operate at C-level internally and externally
• High willingness to travel and proven capability to lead and develop international, cross-functional teams