This role is an engagement through a global Employment of Record (EOR) partner. The successful candidate will be formally employed by our EOR provider while delivering services exclusively to Horse Powertrain. This structure ensures global payroll compliance and supports our workforce strategy.
Location: This role will be based in Germany; the specific city will be determined based upon customer allocation (e.g. Stuttgart, Munich, etc.).
The Role:
Horse Powertrain is seeking an experienced Global Key Account Manager (GKAM) – German OEMs to lead and shape strategic relationships with leading automotive customers including. This highly visible role serves as the executive commercial lead for German OEM accounts worldwide, driving long-term partnership development, strategic growth opportunities, and global customer engagement across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
As a trusted advisor and key customer interface, you will develop and execute global account strategies, lead complex commercial discussions, align cross-functional teams, and build strong executive-level relationships both internally and externally. You will play a critical role in positioning Horse Powertrain as a preferred global powertrain partner while supporting future mobility initiatives and long-term business growth.
What You’ll Do...
- Lead and grow strategic global relationships with key German OEM customers, including Mercedes-Benz, BMW, VW, and Audi.
- Develop and execute long-term global account strategies that support business growth, customer satisfaction, and strategic partnership objectives.
- Build and maintain strong executive-level relationships across customer organizations, acting as Horse Powertrain’s senior commercial representative.
- Serve as the primary escalation point for strategic commercial matters and ensure effective resolution of complex customer issues.
- Drive alignment across regional sales, engineering, product management, program management, finance, and operations teams to deliver a consistent global customer experience.
- Lead and support high-value commercial negotiations, contract discussions, and strategic partnership initiatives with German OEMs.
- Coordinate global account governance, customer engagement activities, and executive business reviews across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
- Identify and pursue new business opportunities related to future mobility, powertrain technologies, platform development, and long-term collaboration models.
- Monitor customer strategies, industry trends, market developments, and competitive activity to inform commercial decisions and growth plans.
- Act as a cultural ambassador and trusted advisor, bridging German OEM business expectations with Horse Powertrain’s global organization.
- Provide strategic insights and recommendations to senior leadership regarding customer priorities, investment opportunities, and commercial risks.
- Support sales forecasting, pipeline management, and long-term business planning to ensure sustainable growth across German OEM accounts.
- Champion best practices in global key account management and help strengthen Horse Powertrain’s strategic position within the German automotive market.
What You’ll Bring...
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, or a related field (MBA preferred).
- 10+ years of senior commercial sales leadership experience within the automotive OEM or Tier 1 supplier industry.
- Proven experience managing strategic relationships with German OEMs, ideally Mercedes-Benz, BMW, VW, and Audi.
- Strong track record in complex international negotiations and securing global automotive business.
- Deep understanding of German automotive culture, business practices, and OEM commercial processes.
- Exceptional stakeholder management, communication, negotiation, and influencing skills.
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