European Sales & Marketing Manager (m/f/d)

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: European Sales & Marketing Manager (m/f/d)

🔹 Company: Japan Management

🔹 Location: Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time

🔹 Category: Sales & Marketing

🔹 Date Posted: April 8, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Directing sales activities in Germany and the UK, leading a team of 3 sales representatives
• Defining preferred sales channels and overseeing marketing activities, including trade shows and advertising
• Pan-European pricing strategy, including MSRP, dealer prices, and independent distributor prices
• Product training for distributors and close collaboration with the global marketing department
• Back-office management at the Düsseldorf headquarters and communication with the headquarters in various areas, such as pricing negotiations, calculations, and orders

ASSUMPTION: The role requires a strategic mindset, strong leadership skills, and a solid understanding of both B2B and B2C environments. Familiarity with optical lenses is beneficial but not required.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Lead the sales team and collaborate with distributors across Europe to achieve sales targets

✅ Define sales channels and oversee marketing activities, including trade shows and advertising

✅ Develop and implement pan-European pricing strategies, including MSRP, dealer prices, and independent distributor prices

✅ Provide product training for distributors and collaborate with the global marketing department

✅ Manage the back-office at the Düsseldorf headquarters and communicate with the headquarters on various topics

✅ Create sales plans and forecasts, and participate in national and international sales presentations

ASSUMPTION: The role involves a mix of strategic planning, team leadership, and day-to-day management. Strong communication and negotiation skills are essential for success.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or a related field

Experience: Proven experience in sales and marketing, ideally with a background in optical lenses. A minimum of 5-10 years of experience is required.

Required Skills:

• Proven leadership and team management skills
• Excellent negotiation and communication skills in German and English
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking
• Familiarity with pricing strategies and marketing activities
• Experience working with distributors and understanding of the European market

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with optical lenses or related products
• Knowledge of CRM systems
• Fluency in additional European languages

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a strong sales background, excellent communication skills, and a strategic mindset are well-suited for this role. Familiarity with optical lenses is a plus but not required.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: €90,000 - €120,000 per year. This range is based on industry standards for a senior sales and marketing role in Germany with 5-10 years of experience.

Benefits:

• Gestaltungsfreiraum (creative freedom) to realize your vision
• Unbefristete Festanstellung (permanent employment) for job security
• Attraktives Gehaltspaket (attractive salary package) for your well-being
• Individuelle Einarbeitung (individual onboarding) and integration into existing team and customer structures
• Eine sichere und langfristige Perspektive (secure long-term perspective) in an international and family-like environment

Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week. Flexible working hours may be available.

ASSUMPTION: The salary range is based on industry standards for a senior sales and marketing role in Germany. Benefits are designed to attract and retain top talent in the industry.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Japan Management is a staffing and recruiting company specializing in search and select services. They operate Europe-wide and have a strong focus on the optical industry.

Company Size: Japan Management is a small company with 11-50 employees. This size allows for a more personal and collaborative work environment.

Founded: Although the exact founding date is not specified, Japan Management has established itself as a trusted partner in the European optical industry.

Company Description:

• Japan Management is a Europe-wide search and select specialist
• They focus on the optical industry, with a strong presence in Germany and the UK
• The company offers a family-like environment with a secure long-term perspective

Company Specialties:

• Search and select services for the optical industry
• Europe-wide recruitment and consulting
• Expertise in sales, marketing, and pricing strategies

Company Website: http://www.japanmanagement.de

ASSUMPTION: Japan Management's small size and focus on the optical industry make it an attractive option for candidates seeking a specialized and personal work environment.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is a senior management position, requiring a minimum of 5-10 years of experience in sales and marketing.

Reporting Structure: The European Sales & Marketing Manager will report directly to the headquarters and oversee a team of 3 sales representatives.

Work Arrangement: This is an on-site position, with the primary office located in Düsseldorf. Flexible working hours may be available.

Growth Opportunities:

• Expanding the sales team and taking on additional responsibilities as the company grows
• Developing expertise in the optical industry and becoming a key player in the company's success
• Potential career progression to a director or executive-level position within the company

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities for the right candidate, with the potential to make a real impact on the company's success.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Japan Management's headquarters is located in Düsseldorf, with a family-like work environment that fosters collaboration and personal growth.

Office Location(s): 38 Ober-Saulheimer Str., Saulheim, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany

Geographic Context:

• Düsseldorf is the capital city of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
• The city is known for its vibrant arts scene, fashion, and trade fairs
• Düsseldorf is an international hub for the optical industry, making it an ideal location for this role

Work Schedule: Full-time, with flexible working hours available. The role may require occasional travel to trade shows and client meetings.

ASSUMPTION: Düsseldorf's international focus and strong optical industry presence make it an ideal location for this role. The family-like work environment at Japan Management's headquarters fosters collaboration and personal growth.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application and resume screening
• Phone or video interview to discuss qualifications and fit for the role
• On-site interview at Japan Management's headquarters in Düsseldorf, including meetings with key stakeholders
• Final decision and offer

Key Assessment Areas:

• Sales and marketing experience, with a focus on pricing strategies and team leadership
• Communication and negotiation skills in German and English
• Understanding of the European market and the optical industry
• Alignment with Japan Management's company values and culture

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant sales and marketing experience, as well as your familiarity with the optical industry
• Prepare for interview questions related to pricing strategies, team leadership, and your understanding of the European market
• Research Japan Management's company values and culture to demonstrate your fit for the role

ATS Keywords: Sales management, marketing strategies, B2B experience, B2C experience, optical lenses, negotiation skills, team leadership, product training, market analysis, communication skills, price negotiation, sales planning, collaboration, customer relationship management, international sales, presentation skills

ASSUMPTION: Japan Management's interview process is designed to assess candidates' skills and cultural fit for the role. Successful candidates will demonstrate a strong sales and marketing background, excellent communication skills, and a strategic mindset.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)

ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with CRM systems and Microsoft Office Suite is beneficial for this role. The specific tools used may vary depending on Japan Management's internal processes.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Gestaltungsfreiraum (creative freedom) to realize your vision
• Unbefristete Festanstellung (permanent employment) for job security
• Attraktives Gehaltspaket (attractive salary package) for your well-being
• Individuelle Einarbeitung (individual onboarding) and integration into existing team and customer structures
• Eine sichere und langfristige Perspektive (secure long-term perspective) in an international and family-like environment

Work Style:

• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Focus on personal growth and development
• International and family-like work environment

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you thrive in a collaborative and team-oriented work environment?
• Are you comfortable working in an international setting and adapting to different cultural norms?
• Do you have a strategic mindset and the ability to make data-driven decisions?

ASSUMPTION: Japan Management's company values and work style emphasize collaboration, personal growth, and a family-like work environment. Successful candidates will be comfortable working in a team and have a strategic mindset.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• The role requires a strong understanding of both B2B and B2C environments, which may present unique challenges
• Occasional travel to trade shows and client meetings may be required
• The role involves pricing negotiations and calculations, which can be complex and time-consuming
• The optical industry is competitive, and the role may require frequent communication with distributors and other stakeholders

ASSUMPTION: The role presents several challenges, including the need to balance B2B and B2C environments, occasional travel, and complex pricing negotiations. Successful candidates will be able to navigate these challenges and thrive in a dynamic work environment.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is unique in its focus on pan-European pricing strategies and collaboration with distributors across Europe
• While similar roles may exist in the optical industry, this role's emphasis on pricing strategies and international collaboration sets it apart
• Career progression in this role may lead to director or executive-level positions within the company

ASSUMPTION: This role is unique in its focus on pan-European pricing strategies and collaboration with distributors across Europe. While similar roles may exist in the optical industry, this role's emphasis on pricing strategies and international collaboration sets it apart.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and implementing a pan-European pricing strategy for optical lenses
• Collaborating with distributors across Europe to optimize sales channels and marketing activities
• Creating sales plans and forecasts for the European market, with a focus on Germany and the UK

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic and collaborative nature of the role, with a focus on pricing strategies, sales planning, and international collaboration.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the company's long-term vision for the European market and how this role contributes to that vision?
• How does the company support the professional development and growth of its employees?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
• How does the company measure success for this role, and what are the key performance indicators (KPIs)?
• What is the company's approach to work-life balance, and how does that manifest in this role?

ASSUMPTION: These interview questions are designed to assess the company's long-term vision, employee development, role priorities, performance metrics, and work-life balance. Successful candidates will use these questions to demonstrate their interest in the role and their fit for the company's culture.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant sales and marketing experience, as well as your familiarity with the optical industry
• Prepare for interview questions related to pricing strategies, team leadership, and your understanding of the European market
• Research Japan Management's company values and culture to demonstrate your fit for the role
• Follow up with the hiring manager within one week of submitting your application to express your interest in the role

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.