Segment Commercial Head Auto Apac

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