Our client is a global industrial solutions company with a strong international presence and an innovative technical product portfolio serving multiple industries, including the automotive sector.
To support the continued growth of its automotive business in Italy, we are looking for a senior Key Account Manager who will manage and further develop key automotive customers across the Italian market.
About the role
As Key Account Manager, you will be responsible for managing and growing a significant automotive customer portfolio in Italy. The role is primarily focused on existing customer development, while also identifying and closing new business opportunities.
You will work closely with local and international sales, technical, marketing, R&D and customer solution teams to drive customer projects, manage profitability and build long-term partnerships with automotive OEM/OES customers.
This is not a direct people management role, but it requires strong leadership in a matrix environment. You will coordinate internal stakeholders, lead complex customer projects and act as a key commercial point of contact for customers in Italy.
Main responsibilities
Manage and develop a portfolio of approximately 50–70 automotive accounts in Italy.
Build and execute strategic account plans for key customers.
Develop long-term relationships with automotive OEM/OES customers and their relevant stakeholders.
Identify new business opportunities within existing accounts and selected new customers.
Lead complex, technical and application-driven sales projects.
Coordinate internal resources across sales, technical, R&D, marketing, customer solutions and controlling functions.
Manage pricing, contract and commercial negotiations.
Monitor customer profitability and implement corrective actions where needed.
Support the launch and commercialization of innovative automotive solutions, including EV-related applications, displays, automation concepts and advanced technical products.
Work effectively in an international matrix organization.
Requirements
5+ years of experience in a similar B2B sales, Key Account Management or technical sales role.
Strong experience in the Italian automotive market within tapes, adhesives, liquid glue, bonding solutions, technical materials or similar applications
Experience working with automotive OEM/OES customers is highly important.
Established network within the Italian automotive industry.
Strong commercial mindset and proven ability to manage complex sales processes.
Experience in technical, solution-based or application-driven selling.
Ability to influence and negotiate with both internal and external stakeholders.
Strong customer orientation and passion for building long-term partnerships.
Ability to coordinate virtual teams and manage projects across different functions.
Fluent Italian and strong written and spoken English.
Autonomous, structured, proactive and result-oriented working style.
Our Client Offers
Competitive base salary
Annual bonus opportunity.
Company car.
Laptop and mobile phone.
Life insurance and other corporate benefits.
Fully remote setup in Italy.
Opportunity to join a growing international automotive business with exciting new products and strong market potential.
In May 2018, a new Executive Search and HR Consulting firm started its operations in Hungary with the aim to offer boutique services to a selected group of clients. Today’s labour market conditions require specialised HR advisors who know their industries in depth and who have the right skills to help organisations grow, be it with executive search or general HR consulting. 20+ years of servicing the most demanding clients and candidates has created a forum of know how that is unrivalled in local and international knowledge within the Hungarian market.
We see our ability to deliver exceptional service and deep understanding of the client and candidates needs as our biggest USP. In order to fulfil this, our business model will be limited to working with a small group of dedicated clients who have a clear vision of what they are looking for and why someone would be motivated to work for them.
Diepeveen & Partners Kft. cooperates with several strategic partners with whom our company jointly undertakes projects. In this way, we can flexibly manage and expand our capacity and take advantage of the knowledge, expertise and network of other professionals. Our founding partner Frido Diepeveen has his ancestral root in Hungary, and our understanding of the local market and our international experience makes us a local expert with international know how.
