Manager Advanced Planning & EV Technology (all genders welcome)

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We have an exciting opportunity as:

Manager Advanced Planning & EV Technology (all genders welcome) in the Product & Pricing department at the Kia Europe Headquarters in Frankfurt/Main, Germany.

Job mission:

We are seeking a strategic and forward-thinking Manager to support the Advanced Planning & EV Tech team in shaping Kia’s long-term product and technology roadmap for Europe. This role contributes to the development of advanced vehicle concepts, EV platform and charging technology planning, and trend-based strategic foresight with a 5- to 10-year horizon.

The ideal candidate will help define product positioning, volume and pricing strategies, and technology requirements that reflect evolving customer needs, regulatory shifts, and competitive dynamics. A strong emphasis is placed on integrating consumer and market insights, supporting cross-functional collaboration, and scouting emerging technologies such as battery innovations, and smart charging solutions.

This role requires a solid foundation in portfolio strategy and EV technologies, combined with the ability to communicate effectively across regional and global stakeholders.

Your responsibilities:

Advanced Planning:

• Support the development of the European product portfolio and powertrain strategy (Passenger Cars & PBVs) in close coordination with all relevant global and regional stakeholders to ensure alignment with long-term customer needs.
• Manage strategic positioning and product definitions for future vehicle concepts, identifying long-term opportunities and gaps.
• Lead the creation of advanced planning proposals for products launching in 5–10 years, including analysis of bodytype trends, portfolio fit, cannibalization risks, target customer profiles, and volume/price indications.
• Simulate long-term volume plans to reflect product and market potential, supporting the European business strategy team in volume forecasting.

EV Technology & Charging Strategy:

• Contribute to the development of EV technology roadmaps for Kia’s European product lineup, including passenger cars and PBVs.
• Support the regional implementation of EV tech projects (e.g., EV smart routing, Plug & Charge) in collaboration with European Technical Center and global R&D.
• Scout and evaluate emerging EV-related technologies such as V2G/V2X, battery innovations, charging systems, and electric motor technologies.
• Develop business cases for new technologies and communicate proposals effectively to KHQ and other stakeholders.
• Promote coordination across all key stakeholders and manage interdependencies between related service and product offerings.

Your talents:

Education:

University degree in Business, Economics, Engineering, or a related field with a focus on Strategy, Product Development, or Market Research.

An MBA or relevant Master’s degree is a plus.

Experience:

• Minimum 5+ years of experience in Product Planning, Market Research, or EV Technology domains.
• Exposure to Automotive Product Management and Product Development is highly desirable.
• Experience with quantitative and qualitative research methodologies and tools such as JATO, TNS Infratest, Polk’s Road to Data, and NCBS.
• Prior experience in management consulting or cross-functional innovation projects is a plus.
• Familiarity with future mobility solutions, EV platforms, and charging ecosystems.
• Experience in brainstorming techniques and ideation processes to promote innovation.

Skills:

• Strong strategic thinking and ability to translate long-term vision into actionable product and technology strategies.
• Excellent quantitative and analytical skills to interpret data and support decision-making.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, especially Excel and PowerPoint.
• Fluent in English (written and spoken); additional European languages are a plus.
• Strong communication and presentation skills to engage stakeholders across regions and functions.
• Effective interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate with diverse teams across Europe and Asia.
• High level of organization, attention to detail, and self-motivation.
• Comfortable working in fast-paced, ambiguous, and multicultural environments.
• Passion for the automotive industry, including interest in cars, EVs, and motorsports.
• Willingness to travel to Korea, European markets, auto shows, and PR events as needed.
• Familiarity with Asian corporate cultures is a plus.

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 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 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.