(Lead) Expert Business Development & Product Strategy (m/w/d)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead Expert Business Development & Product Strategy (m/w/d)

Company: LEONI

Location: Kitzingen, Bavaria, Germany

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Business Development & Product Strategy Operations

Date Posted: 2026-09-23

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive strategic growth initiatives for LEONI's product portfolios beyond low-voltage cable sets, focusing on high-voltage cable sets and integrated system solutions for electromobility.

• Develop and refine product and system offerings by considering integrated product and process solutions, including new supplier structures (e.g., with Luxshare), to ensure competitive proposals.

• Identify and pursue new business opportunities within the OEM, Tier-1 supplier, and commercial vehicle segments.

• Analyze market, technology, and competitor trends, particularly in high-voltage architectures, E/E systems, and vehicle connectivity, to inform strategic decisions.

• Define product roadmaps, pricing strategies, and business cases for emerging technologies in close collaboration with various departments.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a "Lead Expert," indicating a senior individual contributor or a team lead capacity, with significant responsibility for strategic direction and execution within specific product areas. The emphasis on "Business Development & Product Strategy" within an automotive context, particularly with a focus on high-voltage and data solutions, suggests a role that bridges market analysis, product lifecycle management, and strategic partnership development. The "m/w/d" (male/female/diverse) designation is standard in German job postings for inclusivity.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive growth strategies for product fields outside of low-voltage cable sets, specifically targeting high-voltage cable sets and system solutions for electromobility.

• Drive the insourcing and external business development for data cable systems, and manage component businesses to expand LEONI's market presence.

• Enhance the product and system portfolio by adopting an integrated approach to product and process solutions, including the exploration of new supplier structures in partnership with entities like Luxshare, to create competitive offerings.

• Proactively identify new business opportunities by engaging with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), Tier-1 suppliers, and the commercial vehicle sector.

• Conduct thorough analyses of market dynamics, emerging technologies, and competitor landscapes, with a particular focus on high-voltage architectures, E/E systems, and advanced vehicle connectivity solutions.

• Define clear product roadmaps, implement effective pricing strategies, and develop robust business cases for new technologies, ensuring alignment across sales, engineering, procurement, and manufacturing departments.

• Build and maintain a strategic pipeline of opportunities, actively managing customer projects from initial engagement through to successful handover to the project management organization.

• Oversee project management responsibilities to ensure the seamless transition from strategic planning to successful product or solution introduction.

• Foster close collaboration and effective coordination with sales, engineering, procurement, manufacturing plants, and international teams to ensure strategic alignment and operational efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong strategic and execution-oriented focus. The mention of "insourcing and external business development for data cable systems" and "component business" indicates a broad scope beyond core wiring harnesses. The explicit mention of collaboration with Luxshare points to a strategic partnership component of the role. Project management from strategy to introduction is a key deliverable.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Successfully completed technical or business-related university degree, or a comparable qualification.

Experience: Several years of professional experience in business development, sales, product management, or production management within the automotive industry. Project management experience in cross-functional teams is essential.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in business development and strategic planning within the automotive sector.

• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement product strategies and roadmaps.

• Strong project management skills, with a track record of leading cross-functional initiatives.

• In-depth knowledge of at least one of the following areas: high-voltage cable sets, high-voltage connection systems, charging infrastructure, data cable assembly, or similar.

• Solid understanding of electromobility trends, requirements, and future vehicle platforms.

• Excellent customer orientation, strategic thinking capabilities, and confident demeanor in international settings. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with integrated product and process solutions.

• Familiarity with supplier management and strategic sourcing, particularly in relation to global partners like Luxshare.

• Proficiency in market analysis, competitive intelligence, and technology scouting.

• Experience in defining and implementing pricing strategies and developing business cases.

• Knowledge of E/E systems and vehicle connectivity technologies.

• Fluency in English, in addition to German.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a blend of strategic thinking, market insight, and practical automotive industry knowledge. The "Lead Expert" title implies a need for seasoned professionals who can operate autonomously and influence decision-making. The specific technical areas mentioned (high-voltage, data cable assembly) are critical for success in the evolving automotive landscape.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase of successful business development initiatives, including market entry strategies and new customer acquisition.

• Examples of product strategy development, demonstrating the creation of product roadmaps and the articulation of business cases for new technologies.

• Documented experience in managing complex, cross-functional projects from conception through to successful implementation and handover.

• Evidence of strategic market analysis, including competitor benchmarking and trend identification within the automotive sector.

• Demonstrations of developing and implementing pricing strategies that have led to measurable commercial success. Process Documentation:

• Detailed case studies outlining the process of identifying and evaluating new business opportunities, including market research methodologies and risk assessment.

• Workflow examples demonstrating how product roadmaps are created, communicated, and managed, including stakeholder alignment processes.

• Documentation of project management methodologies used to guide initiatives from strategy definition to market launch, highlighting key milestones and deliverables.

• Examples of how market, technology, and competitive analyses were translated into actionable product strategies and business plans.

• Process documentation illustrating collaboration with engineering, sales, and procurement for product development and supplier integration.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a "Lead Expert" role in Business Development and Product Strategy, a portfolio demonstrating strategic impact is crucial. This includes not just successful projects but also the strategic thinking, market analysis, and business case development that underpinned them. The ability to articulate process from opportunity identification to product launch is key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Lead Expert in Business Development & Product Strategy with 5-10 years of experience in the automotive sector in Germany, the estimated annual gross salary range is €85,000 - €110,000. This estimate accounts for the senior nature of the role, the specialized automotive industry expertise required, and the Kitzingen location, considering regional cost of living and typical compensation structures in tariff-bound companies.

Benefits:

• Flexible working hours and a trust-based working time system, allowing for self-determined work schedules.

• Home office options, providing flexibility and work-life balance.

• Attractive, performance-oriented compensation package.

• Holiday pay and Christmas bonus, as per company policy in a tariff-bound enterprise.

• Comprehensive learning and training opportunities through the LEONI Academy to foster professional growth.

• Secure and future-oriented employment with a leading automotive supplier.

• Health and well-being initiatives, including regular health days, preventive health check-ups, and organized sports groups.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with flexibility offered through trust-based working time and home office options.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on research from German job boards and salary aggregators for comparable roles (e.g., Senior Business Development Manager, Product Strategy Lead) in the automotive industry in Bavaria. The "tariff-bound" (tarifgebunden) nature of the company suggests adherence to collective bargaining agreements, which typically include structured pay scales and benefits like holiday and Christmas bonuses, influencing the overall compensation package.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Automotive Supplier (Energy & Data Management). LEONI is a global player in providing products, solutions, and services for energy and data management within the automotive industry. This context means the company operates within a highly competitive, technologically dynamic, and rapidly evolving market, driven by trends like electrification, autonomous driving, and connectivity.

Company Size: Approximately 95,000 employees globally. This large enterprise size suggests a structured organization with established processes, significant resources, and opportunities for cross-departmental and international collaboration.

Founded: The company's history and founding date are not explicitly provided in the raw data, but its significant global presence and employee count indicate a well-established entity with a long-standing reputation in the automotive supply chain.

Team Structure:

• The role likely sits within a strategic business unit or a dedicated product development/management function responsible for specific technology areas like high-voltage systems or data cabling.

• Reporting is expected to be to a senior management position, such as Head of Business Development, Director of Product Strategy, or a similar executive overseeing growth initiatives.

• Collaboration will be extensive with Sales, Engineering (R&D), Procurement, Manufacturing, and potentially with strategic partners like Luxshare. Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is essential, requiring thorough market and competitive analysis to inform strategic planning.

• Integrated product and process development is a key methodology, emphasizing the connection between what is offered and how it is delivered efficiently.

• Strategic partnerships, such as the one with Luxshare, are leveraged to enhance capabilities and market reach.

• Agile or iterative approaches to product roadmapping and business case development are likely employed to adapt to fast-changing market demands.

Company Website: [LEONI Website URL - inferred from domain: leoni.com]

📝 Enhancement Note: The company description highlights LEONI's position as a major global automotive supplier, with a significant portion of its business now influenced by its strategic partnership with LUXSHARE. This partnership is a critical element for understanding LEONI's current strategic direction, particularly concerning new supplier structures and potential market expansion. The mention of Luxshare as a strategic partner and majority shareholder (74.9%) is a key indicator of how LEONI is approaching its future growth and operational models.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a "Lead Expert" position, signifying a senior role with significant autonomy and responsibility. It's a critical juncture for professionals looking to deepen their expertise in product strategy and business development within a specialized automotive domain. This role is positioned to influence strategic direction and drive tangible business outcomes.

Reporting Structure: The role likely reports to a senior leader within the business unit or product division, such as a Director of Business Development, Head of Product Management, or a similar executive. This structure allows for strategic guidance while empowering the Lead Expert to drive initiatives.

Operations Impact: The Lead Expert will have a direct impact on LEONI's revenue growth and market positioning by identifying and capitalizing on new business opportunities in high-growth areas like electromobility and advanced data solutions. Their strategic decisions will shape product roadmaps, influence R&D priorities, and contribute to the company's overall competitiveness and transformation in the automotive industry.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization & Leadership: Deepen expertise in high-voltage systems, data cabling, or electromobility solutions, potentially leading to a more senior product strategy or business unit leadership role.

• Strategic Influence: Transition into higher-level strategic planning roles, contributing to LEONI's long-term vision and market expansion efforts, possibly involving broader portfolio management.

• International Exposure: Further develop international collaboration skills and potentially take on global responsibilities for specific product lines or market regions, leveraging LEONI's global footprint.

• Partnership Management: Gain experience in managing and developing strategic partnerships, such as the one with Luxshare, which can open doors to roles focused on alliances and joint ventures.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Lead Expert" title suggests a role that is beyond a typical senior individual contributor but may not yet be a formal management role. It implies a high degree of technical and strategic authority. The growth path would likely involve either deeper specialization in a niche area, progression into formal team leadership, or a broader strategic role within the company. The emphasis on transformation and new business areas indicates a forward-looking career trajectory.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model. This indicates a blend of on-site presence for collaborative activities and in-person meetings, and remote work for focused individual tasks.

Office Location(s): Kitzingen, Bavaria, Germany. This location is within a region known for its strong industrial base, particularly in manufacturing and automotive supply chains.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model necessitates effective virtual and in-person collaboration tools and practices. Expect opportunities to work with diverse teams across departments and potentially internationally.

• Tools & Technology: Access to standard business productivity tools, project management software, and specialized automotive design/analysis software will be available. LEONI's global nature suggests robust IT infrastructure.

• Team Interaction: The role requires strong communication and relationship-building skills to engage with internal stakeholders (Sales, Engineering, Procurement) and external partners (OEMs, Tier-1s, Luxshare).

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (40 per week) with flexibility offered through trust-based working time and home office options, allowing for better work-life integration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a common offering in the modern automotive industry, balancing the need for in-person collaboration on complex projects with the desire for employee flexibility. Kitzingen's location in Bavaria places it within a strong industrial heartland of Germany, offering potential for local industry networking and access to skilled talent.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a review of your CV and cover letter by HR or a hiring manager to assess basic qualifications and fit.

• Technical/Strategic Interview: A deeper dive into your experience with business development, product strategy, automotive trends (especially high-voltage and data solutions), and project management. Expect scenario-based questions.

• Case Study/Presentation: You may be asked to prepare and present a case study on a relevant topic, such as developing a strategy for a new product line, analyzing a market opportunity, or outlining a business case. This is where your portfolio will be key.

• Team/Cultural Fit Interview: Meeting with potential colleagues and senior leaders to assess your collaboration style, communication skills, and alignment with LEONI's values and the "Lead Expert" expectations.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior executive to discuss overall strategic fit and finalize the offer.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Strategic Impact: Focus on showcasing how your strategies and product initiatives led to measurable business outcomes (revenue growth, market share increase, successful product launches).

• Process & Methodology: Clearly articulate the processes you followed for market analysis, strategy development, business case creation, and product roadmap definition. Use diagrams or flowcharts where appropriate.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Highlight examples where you successfully collaborated with engineering, sales, procurement, and international teams. Detail your role in facilitating communication and alignment.

• Technical Acumen: For this role, demonstrate your understanding of high-voltage systems, data cabling, and electromobility trends. Show how you translated technical possibilities into market opportunities.

• Conciseness & Clarity: Present your portfolio in a clear, organized, and visually appealing manner. Focus on key achievements and quantifiable results. Be prepared to walk through selected projects in detail.

Challenge Preparation:

• Strategic Scenario: Be ready to discuss how you would approach developing a growth strategy for a new product category or entering a new market segment within the automotive industry.

• Problem-Solving: Prepare to address challenges related to market disruption, competitive threats, or complex stakeholder management in product development.

• Product Lifecycle: Articulate your understanding of the product lifecycle from ideation through to market maturity and potential end-of-life, and your role in managing it.

• LEONI & Luxshare Context: Research LEONI's current strategic priorities, its relationship with Luxshare, and recent developments in the automotive electrification space.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Lead Expert" title suggests that interviewers will probe deeply into strategic thinking, problem-solving capabilities, and the ability to drive initiatives with minimal oversight. A strong, well-curated portfolio that demonstrates quantifiable results and strategic foresight will be critical for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• CRM Systems: Proficiency in CRM platforms (e.g., Salesforce, SAP CRM) for managing customer relationships, tracking opportunities, and analyzing sales pipelines.

• Project Management Software: Experience with tools like Jira, Asana, Microsoft Project, or similar for planning, executing, and monitoring cross-functional projects.

• Collaboration Suites: Advanced use of Microsoft 365 (Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive) or Google Workspace for communication, document sharing, and team collaboration.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Business Intelligence Tools: Familiarity with BI platforms like Tableau, Power BI, or QlikView for data analysis, dashboard creation, and performance reporting.

• Spreadsheet Software: Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets for data manipulation, financial modeling, and detailed analysis.

• Market Research Tools: Experience with industry-specific databases and research platforms for market analysis, competitor intelligence, and trend forecasting.

CRM & Automation:

• ERP Systems: Understanding of enterprise resource planning systems (e.g., SAP) for business process integration, particularly concerning product costing, procurement, and manufacturing.

• Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Tools: Familiarity with PLM software (e.g., Siemens Teamcenter, PTC Windchill) for managing product data and processes throughout the lifecycle.

• Data Analysis & Modeling Tools: Potential use of statistical software or programming languages (e.g., Python with Pandas, R) for advanced data analytics and predictive modeling, especially if involved in business case development.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools are not listed, a "Lead Expert" in this domain would be expected to be proficient in standard business productivity and project management tools. Given the automotive and strategic nature of the role, familiarity with CRM, BI, and potentially PLM or ERP systems is highly probable. The ability to leverage data for strategic decision-making is paramount.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Strategic Agility: A commitment to adapting strategies and product roadmaps in response to rapid market changes and technological advancements in the automotive sector.

• Customer Centricity: A deep focus on understanding and meeting the evolving needs of OEMs, Tier-1 suppliers, and commercial vehicle clients, driving customer satisfaction and loyalty.

• Innovation & Transformation: Embracing new technologies and business models, particularly in electromobility and data management, to drive LEONI's transformation and secure future growth.

• Collaboration & Integration: A belief in the power of cross-functional teamwork and strategic partnerships (like with Luxshare) to achieve complex objectives and deliver integrated solutions.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing rigorous market analysis, competitive intelligence, and business case development to inform strategic choices and ensure optimal resource allocation.

Collaboration Style:

• Proactive & Cross-Functional: Engaging proactively with Sales, Engineering, Procurement, and Manufacturing teams to ensure alignment and smooth execution of strategies.

• Partnership-Oriented: Working closely with external partners, including strategic allies like Luxshare, to leverage collective strengths and expand market reach.

• Open Communication: Fostering an environment of open dialogue and constructive feedback to refine strategies, address challenges, and drive continuous improvement.

• Results-Focused: Maintaining a clear focus on achieving defined business objectives and delivering tangible results that contribute to LEONI's overall success.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture likely emphasizes a blend of established corporate structures (due to company size and tariff-bound status) with a forward-looking, agile mindset required for navigating the fast-paced automotive industry transformation. Collaboration with Luxshare suggests an openness to integrated, global approaches.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Market Volatility: Navigating the rapidly changing landscape of the automotive industry, with shifting demands related to electrification, connectivity, and new mobility concepts.

• Competitive Intensity: Operating in a highly competitive global market against established players and emerging disruptors, requiring continuous innovation and differentiation.

• Strategic Alignment: Ensuring alignment of product strategies and growth initiatives across multiple departments, international teams, and strategic partners like Luxshare.

• Technology Integration: Effectively integrating new technologies (e.g., advanced high-voltage systems, complex data cabling) into product offerings and ensuring their successful market adoption.

• Balancing Short-Term vs. Long-Term: Managing immediate business development needs while simultaneously investing in and developing long-term strategic product roadmaps.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepening Specialization: Gaining expert-level knowledge in critical areas like high-voltage power distribution, advanced vehicle networking, and charging infrastructure technologies.

• Strategic Leadership Skills: Developing advanced skills in strategic planning, market analysis, financial modeling, and executive communication through hands-on experience and potential training.

• Cross-Cultural Management: Enhancing capabilities in managing and collaborating with international teams and diverse stakeholders across different business units and geographies.

• Partnership Management: Building expertise in forming, nurturing, and leveraging strategic alliances, particularly in the context of complex supplier relationships like the one with Luxshare.

• Industry Transformation Insights: Staying at the forefront of automotive industry trends, including the transition to electric vehicles, autonomous driving, and connected car technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to a leading role in a dynamic industry. The growth opportunities are framed to leverage these challenges as learning experiences, aligning with the "Lead Expert" progression.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach developing a growth strategy for LEONI's high-voltage cable set business in the next 3-5 years, considering market trends and competitor activities?" (Preparation: Focus on market analysis, segmentation, competitive positioning, and phased implementation.)

• "Describe a situation where you had to develop a business case for a new technology or product. What were the key components of your analysis, and what was the outcome?" (Preparation: Structure your answer using the STAR method, emphasizing financial modeling, risk assessment, and ROI projections.)

• "How do you identify and prioritize new business opportunities within the automotive sector, particularly in areas like E-mobility or data cabling?" (Preparation: Discuss your methodologies for market scanning, opportunity assessment, and strategic fit evaluation.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about LEONI's strategic partnership with Luxshare, and how do you see it impacting our product development and business development efforts?" (Preparation: Research LEONI's latest press releases and investor relations regarding Luxshare. Frame your answer around potential synergies and integrated solutions.)

• "How would you approach building relationships with new OEM clients or Tier-1 suppliers in the current automotive market?" (Preparation: Discuss your understanding of the automotive sales cycle, value proposition development, and key decision-makers.)

• "Describe your experience working in a hybrid environment and collaborating with international teams. What strategies do you use to ensure effective communication and alignment?" (Preparation: Highlight your ability to leverage communication tools and adapt to different working styles.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Highlight Strategic Impact: Select 2-3 key projects that best demonstrate your strategic thinking, market analysis skills, and ability to drive business growth. Quantify results wherever possible (e.g., % revenue increase, market share gains, successful product launches).

• Showcase Process: Clearly explain the methodologies you employed for market research, strategy formulation, business case development, and product roadmap creation. Use visual aids if possible.

• Demonstrate Collaboration: Emphasize your role in cross-functional team leadership and stakeholder management, showing how you facilitated alignment and overcome challenges.

• Technical Relevance: Ensure your presented examples touch upon relevant technologies such as high-voltage systems, data cabling, or E-mobility, showcasing your industry understanding.

• Concise Storytelling: Structure your presentations as compelling narratives, focusing on the problem, your solution, the actions taken, and the measurable results.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, a deep understanding of the automotive industry's transformation, and the ability to execute complex initiatives. Highlighting experience with Luxshare and related strategic partnerships will be a significant advantage.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on jobs.smartrecruiters.com.

• Tailor your CV and Cover Letter: Customize your resume to highlight experience in business development, product strategy, automotive industry trends (especially high-voltage and data solutions), and project management. Ensure your cover letter clearly articulates your motivation for this specific role at LEONI and how your skills align with the job requirements, referencing your experience with strategic planning and market analysis.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate a selection of your most impactful projects that showcase your strategic thinking, market analysis capabilities, business case development, and successful product initiatives. Focus on quantifiable results and demonstrate your ability to drive growth in complex environments.

• Research LEONI & Luxshare: Gain a thorough understanding of LEONI's business, its strategic direction, its role in the automotive supply chain, and its partnership with Luxshare. Familiarize yourself with current trends in electromobility and vehicle connectivity.

• Practice Interview Responses: Prepare to answer strategic, behavioral, and technical questions related to business development, product strategy, and the automotive industry. Practice presenting your portfolio and case studies concisely and effectively.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.