A well-established and forward-thinking company in Southern Germany, operating within the OEM supply chain, is seeking a Managing Director to lead its commercial operations.
With a strong foundation and commitment to innovation, the company aims to further expand its presence in the global automotive market.
Role Overview
This is a key leadership role for an experienced and commercially savvy executive looking to shape and drive the growth strategy of a mid-sized international business.
The successful candidate will collaborate closely with various departments from the group's production base, including technology, project management, operations, quality, supply chain, HR, and finance.
The Managing Director will be responsible for the commercial strategy, international project delivery (North American expansion), customer relationship development, and operational excellence.
The role requires regular (mostly European) travel and close alignment with both group-level leadership and cross-functional internal stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
* Drive and deliver on the company's strategic commercial plan
* Lead all business operations to ensure profitability and optimal use of production capacity
* Define and execute strategic sales plans to meet business growth targets
* Oversee and implement the setup of a sales function in North America, including team development
* Develop new business relationships and expand market presence
* Provide leadership on key R&D matters such as materials development and supplier qualification
* Act as legal representative of the company in Germany
* Foster cooperation with other group entities on supply and technical matters
Additional Responsibilities
* Contribute to product development for forged components
* Monitor market trends and ensure competitive positioning
* Ensure excellent customer service and relationship management
* Collaborate with internal departments (e.g., finance, HR, IT, logistics) to meet company objectives
* Deliver regular forecasts and performance reporting to group-level management
* Coach and develop the sales team, improving both technical and commercial capabilities
Required Previous Experience
* Proven track record in a senior commercial leadership role within the automotive supply chain (ideally with Tier 1 or Tier 2 OEMs)
* Strong background in metals, forged components, or similar engineered products manufacturing
* Successful experience in building and leading international sales teams, including greenfield market entry (preferably in North America)
* Demonstrated ability to scale mid-sized industrial businesses internationally
* Expertise in customer relationship management with major OEMs or global industrial clients
* Deep knowledge of materials development, production processes, and supplier qualification
* Previous experience acting as the legal representative or similar statutory leadership responsibility in Germany (under German GmbH law or equivalent)
* Hands-on leadership style with a strong focus on P&L management, forecasting, and operational excellence
* Background working in cross-functional, matrixed organisations, coordinating between R&D, production, quality, supply chain, and finance teams
* Familiarity with international project management and multi-site production environments
* Solid understanding of market trends and competitive dynamics in automotive or heavy industries
* Previous exposure to strategic partnerships, JV management, or M&A activity (preferred but not mandatory)
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