Technical Sales Manager

A Career at HARMAN

As a technology leader that is rapidly on the move, HARMAN is filled with people who are focused on making life better. Innovation, inclusivity and teamwork are a part of our DNA. When you add that to the challenges we take on and solve together, you’ll discover that at HARMAN you can grow, make a difference and be proud of the work you do every day.

What You’ll Be Part Of

The Technical Sales Manager, Premium Audio EMEA is a Sales-owned, customer-facing role responsible for protecting and growing the JBL and Mark Levinson audio OEM business in Europe. The role combines technical sales, business development and market integration across the entire product lifecycle, from early technology engagement and pre-development to acquisition, development, launch and post-launch take-rate growth.

This role acts as the main audio interface in Europe between Toyota Motor Europe, Lexus Europe, key NMSCs and Harman internal teams including Audio Product Management, Acoustics, Engineering, Program Management, Lifestyle Audio, Marketing and Account Management. Marketing and PR activities are used as sales-enablement tools to strengthen customer intimacy, brand relevance, product adoption and commercial growth.

How You’ll Make An Impact

• Lead customer-facing audio technical sales and business development for Toyota/Lexus EMEA, focused on JBL for Toyota and Mark Levinson for Lexus.
• Develop and execute strategic account plans that protect awarded audio business and create growth through broader trim access, special editions, model-year opportunities, launch support and take-rate initiatives.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with TME, Lexus Europe, Product Planning, R&D, Design, Purchasing, Marketing, PR and key NMSCs to gather intelligence, influence TRs and strengthen brand relevance.
• Engage early in the product lifecycle to identify new vehicle and advanced-engineering opportunities, translate Harman audio roadmaps into customer value propositions, and pitch new technologies to Toyota/Lexus stakeholders.
• Coordinate audio concepts, demo cars, prototypes, technology shows and customer demonstrations with Harman Audio Product Management, Acoustics, Engineering, Program Management and Lifestyle Audio teams.
• Support pre-RFQ, RFI/RFQ and acquisition activities from an audio technical-sales perspective, including business cases, customer proposals, product concept alignment, technical-requirement clarification and internal gate preparation.
• Support development and launch phases by aligning customer expectations, product specifications, design changes, demo/prototype vehicles, launch plans, dealer/salesforce training and marketing support tools.
• Drive market integration with major NMSCs by visiting national markets, understanding local sales and marketing plans, identifying opportunities and coordinating local activations, training, incentive campaigns and special editions.
• Coordinate with Marketing and PR teams to support pan-European and local customer events, media activities, vehicle launches, lifestyle activations and JBL/Mark Levinson brand engagement.
• Gather and analyze market data, competitive benchmarks, take-rate information and customer feedback to support business planning, product-roadmap alignment and sales growth decisions.
• Act as the internal coordinator across Sales, Product, Engineering, Marketing, Finance and Operations for Toyota/Lexus audio growth opportunities and customer engagement actions.

What Makes You A Strong Fit

• 10+ years of relevant experience in automotive sales, technical sales, business development, product management or customer-facing program management.
• 5+ years of experience working with automotive OEMs or strategic alliance partners with an international footprint.
• Strong understanding of the automotive product lifecycle, including pre-development, acquisition, development, launch and post-launch commercial management.
• Solid understanding of automotive audio systems, branded audio value propositions, vehicle packaging, demo/prototype processes and customer requirement management.
• Experience designing and executing growth plans with OEM customers, including trim strategy, take-rate improvement, launches, dealer/salesforce engagement or local market activation.
• Proven ability to engage credibly with both technical and commercial stakeholders across customer and internal organizations.
• 5+ years of project/program coordination experience, gaining consensus and driving deliverables with cross-functional teams inside and outside the organization.
• 5+ years of leadership experience in a matrix environment, including direct or indirect leadership of diversified international teams.
• Strong analytical capability and natural curiosity to measure, test, learn and iterate to improve business results.
• Multicultural mindset and ability to work effectively with Japanese and European customer organizations.
• Very strong written and verbal communication skills, with excellent presentation and storytelling ability.
• Good command of English; good command of at least one additional European mainstream language is preferred.
• Results-driven, proactive, collaborative and capable of managing multiple customer initiatives simultaneously.

Bonus Points if You Have

• Previous experience with Toyota/Lexus or another Japanese OEM.
• Direct experience with premium/branded automotive audio, acoustics or infotainment systems.
• Experience with co-marketing, PR, salesforce training, NMSC/dealer engagement or lifestyle-brand activation.
• International experience living or working abroad.
• Capability to communicate in more European languages; Japanese language or cultural exposure is an advantage.
• Technical or business degree in engineering, acoustics, business, marketing or a related field.

What Makes You Eligible

• Be willing to travel up to 30%, domestic and international, including frequent travel to key NMSCs and customer events.
• Be willing to work from the Diegem/Brussels office with hybrid work according to HARMAN policy.
• Hold authorization to work in Belgium or the European Union, if required.

What We Offer

• Access to employee discounts on world class HARMAN/Samsung products (JBL, Harman Kardon, AKG etc.)
• Inclusive and diverse work environment that fosters and encourages career development opportunities
• Flexible work schedule with a culture encouraging work life integration and collaboration in a global environment
• Professional development opportunities through HARMAN University’s business and leadership academies
• Internal talent management leadership acceleration programs
• “Be Brilliant” employee recognition and rewards program

HARMAN is proud to be an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

About Us

About HARMAN International

HARMAN (harman.com) designs and engineers connected products and solutions for consumers, automakers, and enterprises worldwide, including audio, visual and infotainment systems; enterprise automation solutions; and software services. With leading brands including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon® , Mark Levinson ® and Revel®, HARMAN is admired by audiophiles, musicians and the entertainment venues where they perform around the world. HARMAN also is a technology and integration services leader for the Automotive, Mobile, Telecommunications and Enterprise markets. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. The Company's software solutions power billions of mobile devices and systems that are connected, integrated, personalized, adaptive and secure across all platforms, from the work and home to car and mobile. HARMAN has a workforce of approximately 30,000 people across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. In March 2017, HARMAN became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics. HARMAN is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or Protected Veterans status. HARMAN offers a great work environment, brilliant career opportunities, professional training and competitive compensation. Looking for a challenge where your experience is valued? Come see what you can achieve as a leader with HARMAN!

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