10/15/2026 updated
100 % available
Senior Key Account Specialist | Automotive Industry
Izmir, Turkey
Germany +1
Bachelor's Degree in Translation and Interpreting (German - Turkish), Ege Universityinfo: Germany, Netherlands
Account Management
Key Account Management & OEM Relations
Over 11 years of international B2B sales experience in the automotive industry, managing OEM and Tier-1 customer relationships with business volumes exceeding 32 million euros annually, including ownership of a premier German passenger vehicle manufacturer account.
RFQ Management & Commercial Negotiations
Leadership of competitive RFQ processes, formulation of commercial proposals, and negotiation of pricing and contractual terms to achieve revenue and profitability targets, as well as management of high-stakes cost breakdowns and long-term contract structures.
Cross-Functional Project Leadership
Coordination of cross-functional engineering, quality, and supply chain teams from RFQ through New Project Introduction (NPI) to Start of Production (SOP) and serial production, ensuring seamless product integration and customer satisfaction.
SAP & Business Intelligence Tools
Proficiency in SAP, Power BI, and Qlik Sense for data analysis, reporting, and business process management within international automotive supply environments.
Microsoft Office Suite
Advanced use of Microsoft Office applications including Excel, PowerPoint, and Word for reporting, presentations, and documentation workflows.
IATF 16949 Automotive Quality Management
Certification in IATF 16949:2016 Automotive Quality Management System, providing a solid foundation for quality-driven project and account management.
APQP & PPAP
Certification in Advanced Product Quality Planning and Production Part Approval Process, supporting structured new product launches and supplier quality assurance in the automotive sector.
B2B Business Development
Proven track record in new business development, customer portfolio expansion, and strategic account planning to maximize customer retention, profitability, and market share.
Order Management & ERP Systems
Oversight of order management processes, customer handovers, and documentation workflows across internal ERP and client systems, ensuring operational efficiency and on-time delivery.
Over 11 years of international B2B sales experience in the automotive industry, managing OEM and Tier-1 customer relationships with business volumes exceeding 32 million euros annually, including ownership of a premier German passenger vehicle manufacturer account.
RFQ Management & Commercial Negotiations
Leadership of competitive RFQ processes, formulation of commercial proposals, and negotiation of pricing and contractual terms to achieve revenue and profitability targets, as well as management of high-stakes cost breakdowns and long-term contract structures.
Cross-Functional Project Leadership
Coordination of cross-functional engineering, quality, and supply chain teams from RFQ through New Project Introduction (NPI) to Start of Production (SOP) and serial production, ensuring seamless product integration and customer satisfaction.
SAP & Business Intelligence Tools
Proficiency in SAP, Power BI, and Qlik Sense for data analysis, reporting, and business process management within international automotive supply environments.
Microsoft Office Suite
Advanced use of Microsoft Office applications including Excel, PowerPoint, and Word for reporting, presentations, and documentation workflows.
IATF 16949 Automotive Quality Management
Certification in IATF 16949:2016 Automotive Quality Management System, providing a solid foundation for quality-driven project and account management.
APQP & PPAP
Certification in Advanced Product Quality Planning and Production Part Approval Process, supporting structured new product launches and supplier quality assurance in the automotive sector.
B2B Business Development
Proven track record in new business development, customer portfolio expansion, and strategic account planning to maximize customer retention, profitability, and market share.
Order Management & ERP Systems
Oversight of order management processes, customer handovers, and documentation workflows across internal ERP and client systems, ensuring operational efficiency and on-time delivery.
Experience
Professional experience10+ years
Freelancer since2021
Languages
GermanNative speakerEnglishFluentTurkishNative speaker
Project history
Managing OEM key accounts with an aggregate annual turnover of approximately 32 million euros. Owning and directing the company's largest individual customer account (approximately 13% of total corporate revenue) for a premier German passenger vehicle manufacturer. Formulating and executing strategic account plans to maximize customer retention, profitability, and market share. Leading competitive RFQ processes, formulating commercial proposals, and negotiating pricing and contractual terms. Spearheading new project introductions (NPI) and coordinating cross-functional engineering, quality, and supply chain teams from RFQ to Start of Production (SOP) and serial production.
Managed a key customer portfolio generating approximately 15 million euros in annual turnover across commercial vehicle OEMs. Led high-stakes commercial negotiations, cost breakdowns, offer preparation, and long-term contract structures. Coordinated engineering change requests (ECR/ECO) with international and local technical teams. Served as the primary point of contact for executive customer escalations, project execution, and business expansion. Oversaw order management processes, customer handovers, and documentation workflows across internal ERP and client systems.
Managed international customer accounts, driving end-to-end sales, business development, and account retention. Collaborated with client Technical Development departments to clarify engineering specifications, drawings, and technical parameters. Monitored production schedules, logistics processes, and cash flow controls to guarantee 100% on-time delivery (OTD). Represented the company at major international trade fairs and led key client visits. Provided simultaneous and consecutive translation (German to Turkish) during critical business meetings, contract negotiations, and technical specifications review.