Job Description:
Shape the Future of Automotive Materials in APAC
We are looking for a visionary commercial leader to head our Automotive business in the APAC region, with China as the strategic anchor market. This role offers a unique opportunity to lead a high‑impact organization, drive profitable growth, and shape the long‑term success of our Advanced Materials portfolio.
Selling advanced materials into the automotive industry requires deep technical understanding, long‑term customer partnership, and outstanding commercial leadership. This role sits at the heart of it—bridging engineering, chemistry, and market needs to create real customer value and sustainable business success.
If you are a seasoned automotive commercial leader ready to shape the future of advanced materials in China and across APAC, this role offers the scale, influence, and challenge to match your ambition.
Your Role & Impact
Strategic & Commercial Leadership
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Lead the APAC Automotive Sales organization, delivering ambitious sales plans and budgets fully aligned with the Advanced Materials growth strategy.
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Act as a key strategic partner to out‑of‑China automotive teams, providing direction and support to accelerate regional growth.
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Define and execute pricing strategies and commercial levers in response to market dynamics and cost drivers to deliver sustainable EBITDA performance.
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Translate company EBITDA objectives into clear, measurable commercial targets and drive rigorous performance tracking.
Business & Portfolio Management
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Ensure commercial resources, time, and investments are focused on highest value‑creating opportunities, aligned with both market and business priorities.
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Own the commercial demand forecasting process within the Integrated Business Planning (IBP) framework, strengthening forecast accuracy through robust risk and opportunity assessment.
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Lead customer segmentation and work cross‑functionally to ensure differentiated service models and value propositions are consistently delivered.
Growth & Innovation
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Drive new business development, identifying growth opportunities in new automotive applications, technologies, and customers.
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Build and manage a strong commercial growth pipeline, working closely with R&D, technical, marketing, and operations teams to accelerate commercialization and maximize value creation.
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Champion key and global account management, ensuring strategic customers are managed with consistency, discipline, and long‑term vision.
Leadership & Representation
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Build, develop, and retain a high‑performing, future‑ready commercial team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
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Serve as the senior customer representative for key strategic accounts, building trusted partnerships and representing the company with credibility and professionalism.
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Lead major global and regional commercial contract negotiations and coach the team on complex deal structuring and execution.
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Act as a catalyst for change and transformation, challenging the status quo to enable sustainable and profitable growth.
What You Bring
Education
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Bachelor’s degree or higher in Chemistry, Engineering, or a related technical discipline
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MBA or advanced business qualification is a strong advantage
Experience
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15+ years of commercial experience, including at least 8 years in senior sales leadership roles
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Proven success in the automotive industry, with strong exposure to OEMs, Tier suppliers, institutions, and parts manufacturers
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Experience in PCB, laminates, or adjacent materials businesses is a strong plus
Skills & Know‑How
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Strong strategic and financial acumen with a clear track record of profitable growth
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Ability to influence effectively across functions and cultures, operating seamlessly at both strategic and operational levels
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Demonstrated capability to inspire, focus, and coach senior commercial teams
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Deep understanding of complex, long‑cycle B2B sales environments
What Success Looks Like in This Role
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You demonstrate strong strategic thinking and financial acumen, translating business and market strategy into clear commercial priorities, disciplined resource allocation, and delivery of sales growth and EBITDA targets.
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You apply value‑based selling principles to drive profitable growth, clearly articulating customer value, differentiating the company’s solutions, and unlocking new business opportunities across complex automotive value chains
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You build, lead, and sustain high‑performing commercial teams, strengthening capabilities, engagement, and leadership depth across countries.
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You establish strong, trust‑based relationships with key automotive customers and partners, acting as a credible senior representative of the company.
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You operate effectively across functions and geographies, demonstrating strong cross‑functional and cross‑country collaboration in a complex matrix environment.
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You are comfortable managing complex, long‑cycle sales models, applying value selling, new business development, and channel management approaches.
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You make sound, timely decisions in complex situations, balancing risk, speed, and long‑term value creation.
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You actively initiate change and transformation, challenging existing ways of working to enable sustainable and profitable growth.
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You consistently role‑model corporate principles and ethical leadership.
Additional Locations:
