VP Program & Sales Management - Automotive (f/m)

Additional information

Model of payment:

basic salary + fixed bonus (e.g., quarterly, annual)

Company car:

yes

Required languages:

Recruitment for

• As Vice President Sales & Program Management (f/m), you will take full global ownership of sales strategy, business development, and program execution for complete seating systems. Reporting directly to the executive leadership, you will shape the company’s commercial direction, drive profitable growth with global OEMs, and ensure flawless program delivery across international markets.
• This role combines strategic sales leadership, C-level customer engagement, and end-to-end program accountability. You will build and lead high-performing global teams, define governance and standards, and act as a key interface between customers, operations, and the executive board.
• The position offers significant strategic influence, global exposure, and long-term impact on the company’s market position, portfolio, and profitability.

Your 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

Employer requirements

• 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