Sales Director - German customers / Directeur commercial - Clients allemands (F/H)

The Sales Director for German Customers is responsible for business development and negotiation of critical framework agreements and all contracts between ACC and the German carmakers.

She/he should be able to address OEM executives across various functions (Purchasing, R&D, Engineering, Finance, etc.) and ACC ExCom members.

Main objectives for the Sales Director for German customers include:

• Managing the Mercedes account and developing new business opportunities with German OEMs.
• Preparing business offers, bids, and achieving volume and profitability KPIs.
• Leading and coordinating all ACC stakeholders during RFI/RFQ and pre-project phases, proactively developing new business opportunities.
• Developing winning strategies around USPs, pricing, margins, and terms for business acquisition.
• Supporting change requests and renegotiations during development and serial phases.
• Negotiating contract terms, including prices, conditions, and side letters.
• Ensuring budgets, business plans, and outlooks are data-driven and realistic.
• Implementing actions to prevent overdue payments.
• Contributing to benchmarking efforts and observing technological trends and competitor activities.

The ideal candidate should be a senior, business-minded manager focused on customer expectations, with leadership, effective communication, team spirit, and negotiation skills.

Knowledge / Know-how:

• Extensive knowledge of the automotive sector, with strong experience in sales of large contracts (>€500M/year, multi-year), preferably as a Tier 1 supplier.
• Knowledge of electric vehicle batteries and technology is a significant plus.

Experience:

• Minimum 20 years in the automotive or battery industry.
• At least 10 years in sales, managing large contracts.

Languages:

• English and German mandatory.
• French is a plus.

Key behaviors:

• Autonomous, responsible, committed, capable of managing complex international projects.

Additional preferred experiences:

• Experience with one of the big 6 battery suppliers (e.g., CATL, LG, Samsung SDI, SK Innovation, BYD, Panasonic).
• Experience in battery technology.

Why join us?

Our advantages include new premises, reserved parking for carpoolers, and electric vehicle charging stations. Additional perks include a company restaurant, meal deliveries, vegetable/fruits baskets, janitorial services, telecommuting options, a supplementary retirement plan (subject to salary threshold), additional leave, well-being workshops, osteopathy sessions, and access to language training platforms. Employees also enjoy access to sports and cultural activities, conferences, and subsidies for sports, holidays, and cultural events.

Recruitment process:

1. Prescreening phone call with a German speaking test via AI.
2. Further contact with a recruiter (video) and behavioral assessment.
3. Interview with the VP Sales & Marketing.
4. Interview with the Chief Sales & Customer Projects Officer.
5. Interview with the HR Director.
6. Reference checks if shortlisted for an offer.