Manager Advanced Planning & Future Trends (M/F/D)

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We have an exciting opportunity for you as:

Manager Advanced Planning & Future Trends (M/F/D)

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

Your mission:

As Manager in Advanced Planning & Future Trends you support the development of front-end Consumer/Market Insights & Innovation projects across KIA Europe, ensuring actionable insights are generated through internal as well as external sources and disseminated across the organization to amplify data driven decision-making.

Your thorough understanding of market trends, consumer needs and coordination with local and global key stakeholders help you identify and exploit innovation opportunities for Kia Europe.

Your responsibilities:

Future Trends:

• With the deep understanding of consumer trends and needs to support the collaboration with key stakeholders both locally and globally (ie. Business strategy, R&D, Cradle, academia, consultancies, etc) to proactively identify opportunities to support growth ambitions.

• Generate consumer insight & map consumer behavior changes that feeds into the future trends concept and promote the use thereof in the organization (ie. internal workshops, events to share the insights)

• Promote innovation within the organization by scouting and introducing Mega trends (cross industry) to all departments.

• Identify the potential future technologies (including outside automotive) to foresee the implementation in our product lineup

• Coordinate market research and consumer analytics to identify growth opportunity areas for KIA in Europe.

• Develop a strong decision-making process by bringing together consumer, market, performance, and all internal and external data to produce multi-faced insights of the organization.

• Develop regular standard reports and ad-hoc analyses based on business requirements.

• Coordinate the organization of primary research through standard methods (e.g. customer clinics, focus groups) or emerging digital methods.

• Facilitate ideation workshops (design thinking, brain storming sessions) and promote/spread such practices within the organization.

• Build a network across internal innovation units (e.g. Hyundai Cradle) & external partners.

• Participate in innovation-related events, activities, trainings, panels etc.

• Coordinate with market research agencies to build relationships on product & innovation topics.

• Build relationship with the Global organization and bring best practices to the Europe Region.

 Advanced Planning:

• Oversee European Product Portfolio & Powertrain Strategy (Passenger Cars & PBVs) by closely working with KHQ, HMG & HMETC to ensure long term product plan will meet European customer needs.

• Manage strategic product positioning and product definitions for future range, with the aim of identifying long term opportunities.

• Manage long term volume plan to ensure the product & market potential is fully reflected and support European business strategy team to make European volume forecast.

• Develop advanced planning proposal for products which will be launched in 5 to 10 years’ time by analyzing ongoing body type trends, product positioning within the portfolio, cannibalization with other products, target customers definition, volume & price indicationmodels, ensuring marketability and profitability of the projects

Your profile:

• Bachelor or Master Degree in Business or Economics, with a focus on Strategy, Business Development and Marketing Research

• MBA or relevant Master’s degree is a plus

• A minimum of 5 to 7 years of experience in Market research related field and additional knowledge in Automotive Product Management, Product Planning are required.

• Automotive Management consulting experience is a plus.

• Experienced with a variety of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies.

• Interest and/or experience in the automotive sector and future mobility solutions.

• Familiar with data analysis tools like JATO, TNS PromoCar, Polk’s Road to Data, New Car Buyers Survey (NCBS) etc.

• Familiarity from various brainstorming techniques and ideation process to promote innovation in the organization.

• Sound quantitative and analytical skills to gather and interpret data to support key decisions

• Proficient with the Microsoft Office products especially with MS Excel for data analysis

• Fluent in English (written and spoken). Additional European languages are an advantage

• Organised and detail-oriented

• Excellent quantitative and analytical skills along with excellent verbal and written communication skills in English

• Good interpersonal skills and experience working with people from a variety of European backgrounds

• Self-confidence, positive thinking, flexibility and ability to adapt in a multicultural and fast moving environment

• Cooperative nature to work closely with peers within the company to ensure smooth information flow and a good collaboration

• Ability to take initiative and work with minimal supervision

• Passion for the Automotive industry and general passion for cars, motorsports etc.

• Familiarity with working with Asian cultures / companies is a plus

• Ability to travel as required to Korea, major Auto Shows, meetings with European markets and support of PR events while launching products

  
  

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. 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.

From our headquarter Europe in Frankfurt, Germany, we lead 39 markets across Europe and the Caucasus, employing more than 5,500 people.

Our headquarter is home to 37 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 37 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.