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Junior Sales & Product Line Manager (m/w/d) – Automobilwerkstoffe - Job Opportunity at Jobactive GmbH

Köln, Germany
Full-time
Entry-level
Posted: June 27, 2025
On-site
EUR 45,000 - 55,000 annually, reflecting the entry-level nature combined with the specialized technical knowledge requirements and the strategic importance of the automotive materials sector in the German market

Benefits

Comprehensive professional development opportunities in technical sales and product management with structured career progression paths
International and innovation-driven work environment providing exposure to cutting-edge materials technology
Professional mentorship and structured onboarding program ensuring successful integration and skill development
Attractive compensation package and collaborative team environment fostering professional growth

Key Responsibilities

Drive strategic customer relationship management with Tier-1 suppliers and OEMs across European automotive markets, directly impacting revenue growth and market expansion
Lead commercial proposal development, pricing negotiations, and contract documentation processes that influence multi-million euro business deals
Serve as critical liaison between customers and internal teams including production, logistics, and R&D to ensure seamless project execution and customer satisfaction
Take ownership of customer meetings and gradually assume responsibility for entire product lines or key customer accounts, building executive presence
Conduct strategic market analysis of rare earth and specialty metals performance in automotive applications, providing insights that drive product development decisions
Manage comprehensive product lifecycle initiatives including demand forecasting, pricing optimization, and new product launches that shape market positioning
Monitor and analyze critical market trends in emission systems, e-mobility, and regulatory developments such as Euro 7, positioning the company ahead of industry shifts
Execute competitive intelligence and benchmarking analyses in functional materials segment, informing strategic business decisions
Develop deep expertise in SKAD structures and internal processes, becoming a strategic contributor to organizational efficiency
Collaborate with international engineering, R&D, and supply chain teams across multiple continents, driving cross-functional initiatives and global alignment

Requirements

Education

Master's degree in Automotive Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or related technical field

Experience

Initial practical experience in automotive, mobility, or industrial B2B environment through internships, working student positions, or thesis work

Required Skills

Interest in functional materials in automotive sector (catalysts, rare earths, emission control) Willingness to develop commercial, customer-oriented role with technical depth Analytical thinking, accuracy and structured work approach Motivation to learn pricing, negotiation and customer communication Interest in regulatory trends and their impact on materials and applications Team skills, intercultural understanding and communication strength Proficient use of MS Office (especially Excel & PowerPoint) Knowledge of SAP, CRM or PLM advantageous Fluent English (required) Fluent German (required) Russian or Eastern European language advantageous
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The automotive industry is experiencing a fundamental transformation driven by stringent emission regulations such as Euro 7, creating unprecedented demand for advanced catalytic materials and rare earth elements. This regulatory shift is forcing OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers to invest heavily in next-generation emission control technologies, positioning specialists in functional materials as critical strategic partners. The acceleration of electric vehicle adoption is paradoxically increasing demand for sophisticated catalytic systems in hybrid vehicles and cleaner internal combustion engines during the transition period. This creates a unique market opportunity for rare earth and specialty metal applications in both traditional and emerging automotive technologies. Supply chain resilience has become a critical focus following recent disruptions, with automotive companies seeking to diversify their supplier base for critical materials. Companies with global production capabilities and strong technical expertise in rare earth processing are gaining significant competitive advantages in securing long-term partnerships with major automotive manufacturers.

Role Significance

Typically part of a lean, specialized team of 3-5 professionals within the European sales organization, working closely with senior management and having direct access to international teams across multiple continents, providing exceptional learning opportunities and career development potential.
This role represents a strategic entry point into the automotive materials industry with significant growth potential. While positioned as junior level, the role carries substantial responsibility for customer relationships and product line management, indicating the company's investment in developing future industry leaders with both technical depth and commercial expertise.

Key Projects

Leading customer qualification processes for new catalytic material applications Supporting major OEM platform launches requiring specialized rare earth formulations Driving market penetration strategies for emerging emission control technologies Managing product lifecycle transitions during regulatory implementation phases

Success Factors

Deep technical understanding combined with commercial acumen - the ability to translate complex materials science into business value propositions that resonate with automotive industry decision-makers Cultural adaptability and relationship-building skills essential for managing diverse international stakeholder relationships across different business cultures and technical requirements Strategic thinking capability to anticipate market trends and regulatory changes, positioning both the company and customers ahead of industry shifts Project management excellence to coordinate complex technical and commercial processes across multiple time zones and organizational boundaries

Market Demand

High - The intersection of technical materials expertise and commercial acumen in the automotive sector represents a critical skill gap, with strong demand driven by regulatory changes and the industry's technological transformation

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Technical materials knowledge is absolutely essential as this role requires the ability to understand and communicate complex material properties and their applications in catalytic systems. Without this foundation, it's impossible to provide credible technical support to sophisticated automotive customers or collaborate effectively with R&D teams. Commercial acumen and customer relationship management skills are equally critical, as the role directly impacts revenue generation and market expansion. The ability to translate technical capabilities into business value and maintain long-term customer partnerships is fundamental to success in this position. Cross-cultural communication and language skills are vital given the international nature of both the company and its customer base. The ability to work effectively across different cultures and languages directly impacts the success of global projects and partnerships.

Beneficial Skills

Regulatory knowledge and compliance understanding will become increasingly valuable as emission standards continue to evolve and become more stringent globally Digital tools proficiency including CRM, PLM, and advanced Excel capabilities will enhance efficiency and analytical capabilities Project management skills will support the coordination of complex international initiatives and customer programs Supply chain understanding will provide valuable context for customer discussions and internal planning processes

Unique Aspects

Direct exposure to cutting-edge rare earth and specialty metal applications that are critical to the automotive industry's environmental compliance and technological advancement
Opportunity to work at the intersection of materials science, regulatory compliance, and commercial strategy in one of the world's most demanding industrial sectors
Access to international teams and global production facilities providing comprehensive understanding of advanced materials supply chains
Front-row seat to the automotive industry's transformation through emission control technologies and e-mobility solutions

Career Growth

Progression to senior individual contributor roles typically within 2-3 years, with management opportunities available within 4-5 years based on performance and market expansion

Potential Next Roles

Senior Product Line Manager with P&L responsibility for specific automotive material segments Key Account Manager for major OEM relationships Regional Sales Director for European automotive markets Business Development Manager for emerging automotive technologies

Company Overview

Jobactive GmbH

The client company represents a leading global innovator in advanced functional materials with a particular focus on rare earth elements and specialty metals applications. With headquarters in Toronto and nine production facilities worldwide, the organization demonstrates significant scale and international reach, positioning it as a strategic supplier to major automotive manufacturers and Tier-1 suppliers globally.

Strong market position as a specialized provider of critical materials for high-tech industries, with particular strength in automotive applications. The company's focus on rare earth elements and specialty metals places it in a strategically advantageous position given increasing regulatory requirements and technological complexity in the automotive sector.
The Cologne location serves as a key European hub for automotive customer relationships, providing direct access to Germany's automotive cluster including major OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers. This positioning offers exceptional exposure to industry-leading automotive technologies and strategic decision-making processes.
Innovation-driven environment with strong emphasis on technical excellence and international collaboration. The structured mentoring approach and focus on professional development indicates a culture that values employee growth and long-term career development, typical of specialized materials companies serving high-tech industries.
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