Junior District Sales Manager, Automotive Replacement (all genders)

Why Gates?

Founded in 1911 in Denver, Colorado, Gates is publicly traded on the NYSE. While we might operate in a vast amount of time zones we operate as 'One Gates' and have a common goal of pushing the boundaries of materials science. We invest in our people, bringing real-world experience that enables us to solve our customers' diverse challenges of today and anticipate those of tomorrow.

Junior District Sales Manager, Automotive Replacement
(all genders)

Location: Gates GmbH, Aachen
Reports to: Regional Sales Manager AR, DACH

WHAT TO EXPECT

As a Junior District Sales Manager, you will…

…kick-start your career in technical sales and grow quickly with the support of an experienced team. The role is based in Aachen, but you will work full-time and mainly from home / mobile, with customer visits across your German territory.

You’ll support Key Account Management, join customer meetings, deliver basic sales and technical trainings, and represent Gates at trade fairs. As you develop, you’ll learn to spot sales opportunities, understand customer needs, and recommend the right Gates solutions. Step by step, you’ll begin shaping account plans and helping us drive sustainable growth.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

In this role, you will…

• Manage your territory by planning, executing, and following up on sales activities, while promoting and selling Gates products across your assigned region.
• Engage with customers by maintaining and expanding relationships with distributors, wholesalers, and workshops, providing relevant technical and commercial information, and ensuring strong communication and trust.
• Support distribution partners in positioning and marketing Gates products to achieve effective market penetration in the automotive aftermarket.
• Identify and develop opportunities by understanding customer needs, solving commercial and technical issues, and supporting product applications to drive growth.
• Shape market strategies by researching customer requirements, developing suitable product applications, and translating company strategies into market-specific action plans.
• Stay active in the field through regular customer visits and follow-up, ensuring consistent presence and support throughout the territory.
• Monitor market and competitive trends to identify opportunities, respond proactively, and implement countermeasures where needed.
• Drive performance by managing your sales pipeline, delivering accurate and timely reporting, and taking primary accountability for revenue and results in your region.
• Accelerate growth by implementing strategies for new products, additional applications, and new markets, supporting both direct sales and broader strategic initiatives.

Requirements and preferred Skills:

• Education/Experience: A technical or commercial degree with a strong technical background and a minimum of 3 years of professional experience in a comparable sales or aftermarket function.
• Languages: German and English (fluent).
• Competencies: Diplomacy, reliability, punctuality, strong product/market understanding, problem-solving ability, and effective communication.
• Working style: Methodical, dynamic, positive attitude; analytical and synthesis skills; curiosity; strong sense of responsibility; high integrity.
• Tools: Strong reporting skills; proficient in standard PC applications (e.g., MS Office/CRM).
• Independence: Able to work autonomously, apply Gates’ marketing/sales philosophy, and drive initiatives with minimal supervision

TRAVEL:

• Approx. 80% travel within the assigned territory to visit distributors, jobbers, and workshops.
• Attendance at commercial/technical meetings, fairs, and local trade shows as required.
• Adheres to Gates’ reporting practices for market developments and field activities.

KEYS TO SUCCESS: 

• Requires expanded knowledge and experience in own area;
• Requires expanded conceptual knowledge in own area of expertise

Work Environment

Gates is an Equal Opportunity and is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job-related reasons regardless of race, sex, color, religion, age, disability, pregnancy, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, genetic information, marital status, or any other consideration defined by law.

GDPR: Gates are committed to protecting your private data.  Please see below the link to our Job Applicants Privacy Statement which we would ask you to read in full. By applying for this position, you confirm that you have read, understood and accepted this policy.

https://www.gates.com/us/en/knowledge-center/resource-library/policies-and-statements/gates-job-applicants-privacy-statement.html 

ARE YOU DRIVEN BY POSSIBILITY?