VP, Services & Solutions, Automotive (m/f/d)

VP, Services & Solutions, Automotive (m/f/d)

General Information

• Location: Karlsbad - Baden-Württemberg, Germany
• Job Family: Sales
• Worker Type: Regular - Permanent
• Pay Rate Type: Salary
• Career Level: Senior
• Job ID: R-53923-2026

About the Role

We are seeking a visionary and results-driven Vice President, Automotive Services & Solutions to lead a newly established global aftermarket business with full P&L ownership and end-to-end accountability.

This executive leadership role will drive operational excellence across OE spare parts business while accelerating future growth through Independent Aftermarket (IAM) channels, remanufacturing, retrofit solutions, and digital services. As the General Manager of the business, you will shape and execute a global growth strategy that expands revenue from approximately €96M in 2025 to nearly €300M by 2030, while significantly increasing profitability and organizational scale.

You will have broad authority over business strategy, investment decisions, pricing, organizational design, and market development, operating with a high degree of autonomy within HARMAN’s Automotive division.

Responsibilities

Business Leadership & P&L Ownership

• Own and manage the full Automotive Services & Solutions P&L as General Manager and business leader.
• Drive profitability and growth through pricing optimization, cost management, and strategic expansion initiatives.
• Establish and evolve the operating model, including transfer pricing structures, SLA-based governance, and cross-functional incentive alignment.

Aftermarket Growth Strategy

• Lead the transformation and optimization of OE spare parts business, driving improvements in pricing, cost efficiency, inventory management, and lifecycle profitability.
• Develop and execute a global Independent Aftermarket (IAM) strategy, including channel and partner selection, go-to-market models, eCommerce opportunities, and commercial partnerships.
• Define and implement aftermarket growth initiatives while balancing OEM relationships and channel strategies.

Product & Service Innovation

• Build and expand new aftermarket offerings, including:
  • Remanufactured and refurbished products
  • Retrofit and upgrade solutions
  • Digital services and over-the-air (OTA) offerings
  • Multi-brand service and lifecycle management solutions
• Evaluate strategic investments, partnerships, and M&A opportunities that accelerate business growth and capability development.

Organizational Development

• Build and scale a global organization across functions including:
  • Sales & CRM
  • Supply Chain
  • Engineering & Refurbishment
  • Manufacturing
  • Program Management
  • Digital & Business Intelligence
  • Channel Strategy
• Foster a high-performance culture focused on customer success, operational excellence, and innovation.

Operational & Functional Integration

• Drive portfolio integration across all Automotive Strategic Business Units (SBUs).
• Establish strong partnerships with Sales, Operations, Quality, Procurement, Finance, and Digital teams through clear governance and service agreements.
• Lead global process standardization and continuous improvement initiatives.

Digital Transformation & Analytics

• Own the aftermarket data and digital ecosystem, including:
  • Master data governance
  • Business intelligence and reporting solutions
  • KPI management and performance dashboards
  • Process digitization initiatives
• Leverage data-driven insights to improve business performance and decision-making.

External Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Serve as the public face of HARMAN’s aftermarket business with customers, distributors, industry associations, and strategic partners.
• Build and maintain executive-level relationships with OEMs, channel partners, and key accounts worldwide.
• Represent HARMAN at industry conferences, trade events, and customer engagements.

Risk Management & Compliance

• Ensure adherence to OEM contractual commitments, quality standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Lead risk management efforts related to supply continuity, obsolescence, warranty exposure, and product lifecycle obligations.

Requirements

• 15+ years of leadership experience within the automotive industry or a related sector.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related technical discipline.
• MBA or advanced business degree is a plus.
• Proven executive-level responsibility with significant budget ownership and business leadership experience.
• Demonstrated success building and scaling new business units, organizations, or capabilities from the ground up.
• Broad cross-functional leadership experience across at least three of the following areas:
  • Engineering / R&D
  • Manufacturing / Operations
  • Sales / Commercial Leadership
  • General Management
• Strong commercial and strategic capabilities, including customer management, contract negotiation, and pricing strategy.
• Experience leading large, globally distributed organizations and working within complex matrix environments.
• Aftermarket, services, lifecycle management, or automotive mobility experience is highly desirable.

Key Leadership Capabilities

• Entrepreneurial Leadership & Business Building: Proven ability to launch and scale new businesses within established corporate environments. Combines strategic vision with hands-on execution. Thrives in ambiguous environments and can build organizations, teams, and operating models from the ground up.
• Strategic & Cross-Functional Leadership: Deep understanding of engineering, manufacturing, and commercial functions. Ability to balance technical feasibility, operational execution, and commercial success. Develops long-term strategies while translating vision into measurable execution plans.
• People Leadership: Builds and develops diverse, high-performing global teams. Demonstrated ability to lead organizational growth and transformation. Influences effectively across matrixed organizations and stakeholder groups.
• Results Orientation: Delivers against ambitious growth, profitability, and operational objectives. Balances short-term performance improvements with long-term investment and capability building. Applies strong financial discipline while driving innovation and growth.
• Executive Presence & Stakeholder Management: Communicates complex business strategies and transformation initiatives with clarity and credibility. Builds trusted relationships with executive leadership, customers, partners, and industry stakeholders. Successfully navigates global organizational dynamics and competing priorities.

We Offer

• Competitive Salary: € 195,500 - € 253,000 annually
• Variable Compensation and Allowances: Dependent on the position offered, other forms of compensation may also be available, such as quarterly or annual bonus pay, commission payments, long term incentive compensation, or certain allowances.
• Benefits: HARMAN is interested in supporting the health and wellbeing of employees and offers a range of benefits. Offerings vary by country and employment arrangement and reflect a combination of statutory requirements and company-provided programs. These may include paid time off and holidays, sick and family leave, as well as health and wellbeing support and retirement or savings plans where applicable, along with other locally relevant benefits.

About HARMAN

Ever since the 1920s, we’ve been amplifying the sense of sound. Today, that legacy endures, with integrated technology platforms that make the world smarter, safer, and more connected.

Across automotive, lifestyle, and digital transformation solutions, we create innovative technologies that turn ordinary moments into extraordinary experiences. Our renowned automotive and lifestyle solutions can be found everywhere, from the music we play in our cars and homes to venues that feature today’s most sought-after performers, while our digital transformation solutions serve humanity by addressing the world’s ever-evolving needs and demands. Marketing our award-winning portfolio under 16 iconic brands, such as JBL, Mark Levinson, and Revel, we set ourselves apart by exceeding the highest engineering and design standards for our customers, our partners and each other.

If you’re ready to innovate and do work that makes a lasting impact, join our talent community today!

Important Notice: Recruitment Scams

Please be aware that HARMAN recruiters will always communicate with you from an '@harman.com', ‘@careers.harman.com’ or ‘@harmanglobal.avature.net’ email address. We will never ask for payments, banking, credit card, personal financial information or access to your LinkedIn/email account during the screening, interview, or recruitment process. If you are asked for such information or receive communication from an email address not ending in one of the above email domains about a job with HARMAN, please cease communication immediately and report the incident to us through: [email protected].

You Belong Here

HARMAN is committed to making every employee feel welcomed, valued, and empowered. No matter what role you play, we encourage you to share your ideas, voice your distinct perspective, and bring your whole self with you – all within a support-minded culture that celebrates what makes each of us unique. We also recognize that learning is a lifelong pursuit and want you to flourish. We proudly offer added opportunities for training, development, and continuing education, further empowering you to live the career you want.

HARMAN is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. HARMAN strives to hire the best qualified candidates and is committed to building a workforce representative of the diverse marketplaces and communities of our global colleagues and customers. 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. HARMAN attracts, hires, and develops employees based on merit, qualifications and job-related performance.

HARMAN is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process, please contact us at [email protected]. Requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable law.