VP Automation Realisation (all gender) in Köln

As our new VP you will join an existing European team and a strong factory foundation, with the mandate to build the organisation required for the next stage. You wil be the final European decision-maker for solution feasibility, delivery capacity, resource allocation, project release, recovery priorities, acceptance readiness, stabilization exit and rollout readiness.
We are looking for an experienced leader to build and scale our automation implementation organisation, drive international key-account projects and ensure successful multi-site rollouts across Europe.

• Build, lead and develop the European Automation Realisation team, scaling from 6 to 10–20 employees.
• Manage international automation projects from customer commitment through installation, stabilisation and handover.
• Drive key-account rollouts across multiple sites and countries in close cooperation with EP Global Headquarters.
• Establish standardised processes, project governance and scalable implementation structures.
• Own project budgets, resources, delivery performance and customer satisfaction.
• Collaborate closely with customers, engineering teams and internal stakeholders to ensure successful project execution.
• Create an effective Mandarin-language leadership interface with EP Global Headquarters and connect European customer requirements with global product and factory decision-making.

Each customer programme is executed by an integrated project team. The Project Coordinator owns the plan, customer governance, scope control, milestones and formal project record. The Project Engineers own application feasibility, the technical solution and evidence, implementation, commissioning and performance validation. The EP factory project team contributes product expertise, capability confirmation and specialist support. You appoint and empower these teams, set the gates and remain accountable for customer outcomes through a defined stabilization period and controlled handover to After Sales.

• Proven leadership experience in automation, intralogistics or industrial project implementation.
• Strong track record in managing complex international projects and key accounts.
• Experience in building teams, scaling operations and establishing efficient processes.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Fluent in English and Chinese (mandatory).
• A hands-on, execution-focused leadership style: stay close to the customer, remove obstacles and close the loop without micromanaging the team.
• Willingness to travel across Europe, spend time at customer sites when leadership is needed and travel regularly to China.

EP offers you

• A genuine executive mandate with an existing team, active customer opportunities and the authority to scale.
• Direct access to European executive leadership and senior stakeholders at EP Global Headquarters and the factories.
• The opportunity to build the European organisation that turns first projects into international rollouts.
• A visible role with leading international customers, based at our European headquarters in Cologne.

Please submit your CV in English, including availability, salary expectation and work permit or visa status. recruiting@ep-equipment.eu