Assistant Manager Product Planning (all genders welcome)

Join the movement and find new inspiration

We have an exciting opportunity as:

Assistant Manager Product Planning (all genders welcome)



at the Kia Europe Headquarters in Frankfurt/Main, Germany.

Job mission:

As an Assistant Manager Product Planning, you will be responsible for shaping the future of Kia’s vehicle lineup by developing new car lines and product enhancements that will enter the market within the next two to six years. Through product proposals and strategic negotiations with Global HQ, Finance, R&D and the European engineering teams, the team ensures that future models align with European customer preferences and contribute positively to Kia’s market coverage, sales targets, and brand positioning. Additionally, the team plays a crucial role in market trend analysis, providing insights to Management and other internal teams to support data-driven decision-making. As an Assistant Manager, you will take primary responsibility for two/three production/upcoming models while supporting additional projects and market tracking activities.

Your responsibilities:

Product Development & Strategic Planning

• Lead the upstream development of new car lines and product enhancements, ensuring alignment with Kia Europe’s strategic objectives.

• Identify and capitalize on market opportunities to expand Kia’s brand equity, sales volume, and profitability in the medium-to-long term.

• Define target customers and positioning strategies in line with Kia’s brand direction.

• Serve as the ‘voice of the European customer’ in discussions with Global HQ, advocating for product features that best meet consumer needs.

• Work alongside Product Marketing, Pricing, and Cross-Carline teams to ensure consistency across Kia’s product lineup.

Pricing positioning & Market Research

• Collaborate with Product Marketing and Pricing teams to develop the pricing strategy for future models.

• Coordinate and participate in research activities, including concept and product positioning clinics.

Design & Engineering Coordination

• Evaluate design proposals to ensure alignment with the vehicle concept, Kia’s brand identity, and European customer expectations.

• Participate in discussions with R&D and Engineering teams to ensure that technical specifications align with market needs.

Market/Product Intelligence & Reporting

• Continuously monitor industry trends, competitor activities, demand shifts, and regulatory changes.

• Prepare insightful reports and tools to keep Management and internal teams informed on key market developments.
  

Your talents:

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or Economics (Master’s degree is a plus).

• Minimum two years of relevant experience, preferably in the automotive industry with exposure to product-related roles or in product planning at a Pan-European level.

Technical & Analytical Skills

• Strong data analysis and market research abilities to support decision-making.

• Experience with automotive market analysis tools (e.g., Jato, New Car Buyer Survey, IHS) is a plus.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel (data analysis) and PowerPoint (presentation development)

Industry & Market Knowledge

• Passion for the automotive industry, including cars, motorsports, and emerging mobility trends.

• Strong awareness of European market dynamics and consumer preferences.

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

• Fluent in English (written and spoken). Additional European languages are a plus.

• Experience presenting to internal or external stakeholders is a plus.

• Strong interpersonal skills with experience working in cross-cultural environments.

• Familiarity with Asian business cultures is a plus

Work Style & Flexibility

• Organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to take initiative and work independently while collaborating with a team.

• Willingness to travel internationally (e.g., business trips to South Korea, major auto shows, and key stakeholder meetings).

  
  

Who are we?

Kia is a global mobility brand with a vision to create sustainable mobility solutions for consumers, communities, and societies around the world. Founded in 1944, Kia has been building motorcycles, cars and trucks for more than 75 years.

Kia is now spearheading the popularization of electrified and battery electric vehicles, developing a growing range of mobility services while encouraging millions of people to explore the best ways of getting around. Our brand slogan – ‘Movement that inspires’ – reflects our commitment to inspire consumers through our products and services.

Kia Europe is the European sales and manufacturing arm of Kia Corporation. From our headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany, we lead 39 markets across Europe and the Caucasus, employing more than 5,500 persons, including about 3,500 blue collar workers in our state of the art car plant in Zilina, Slovakia.

Our headquarter is home to more than 40 different nationalities and this diversity is truly inspiring! This means that every day at Kia is an opportunity to learn something new and to grow personally and professionally. The mix of ambitious and dynamic employees from all over the world is the fuel to our success. Do you have what it takes to join our team? We are looking forward to getting to know you!

You will enjoy working with us if you like these things:

• A pulsating international environment. Our workforce is composed of people from more than 40 nations

• Playing an active and important part in the development of Kia in Europe.

• Developing new frameworks and solutions

• Demanding challenges to which you can creatively contribute

• A competitive compensation package; private leasing offer; systematic off and on-the-job training, free staff restaurant, support as concerns Health Management and more

If you’re interested to become part of our Kia team, please apply via our online portal. We are looking forward to getting to know you.