Key Account Manager - Automotive Parts

About Sinotec

Sinotec is a prominent global producer of tier-1 automotive parts, focusing on electrification and intelligent mobility technologies. With robust research and development along with manufacturing operations in Asia and Europe, the company is actively growing its footprint across the German market to strengthen partnerships with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

Role Overview

We are looking for an ambitious and skilled Key Account Manager to drive expansion and management of our relationships with German automotive OEMs. This position bridges our worldwide engineering and production strengths with the unique demands of the German automotive sector, facilitating revenue increase, maintaining strategic partnerships, and guiding projects from quotation requests through to production launch.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and implement detailed account strategies targeted at major German OEMs such as VW Group, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, establishing strong, multi-level connections with key stakeholders in Purchasing, R&D, and Quality.
• Identify and cultivate new business opportunities within current and potential clients, lead quotation processes, and coordinate with internal teams to negotiate pricing, capacity, and contract terms effectively.
• Serve as the main commercial liaison during product development stages, including APQP and PPAP, ensuring alignment with production start timelines, quality, and cost benchmarks per customer expectations.
• Work collaboratively with global teams across R&D, supply chain, quality, and manufacturing to ensure seamless product delivery and customer satisfaction.
• Continuously track market trends, competitive landscapes, and regulatory developments in Germany to inform internal strategies.
• Oversee financial aspects of accounts, including managing profit margins, monitoring receivables, and resolving commercial conflicts such as tooling costs and warranty claims.

Candidate Requirements

• A bachelor’s or higher degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or related disciplines, with a preference for candidates possessing both technical understanding and commercial expertise.
• Three to five years minimum in B2B sales or key account management roles within the automotive parts industry, specifically tier-1 supplier experience catering to OEMs.
• Demonstrable success managing German automotive OEM accounts and familiarity with industry standards such as IATF 16949 and VDA, including knowledge of project development phases.
• Fluent communication skills in both English and German are essential; additional fluency in German or French will be considered a strong asset.
• Excellent negotiation, presentation, and intercultural communication capabilities, with the ability to work autonomously in a remote setting while coordinating closely with the global headquarters in China.
• Availability for frequent travel within Germany (approximately 30-50%) and occasional international travel for corporate alignment.