Managing Director / General Manager Spain F/M
Location: Barcelona
Apply before: 2026-04-15
Publish date: 2026-02-26
Reference number: DE-024631
We are seeking a Managing Director / General Manager Spain, based in Barcelona, to lead a growth and transformation mandate.
This role is critical to strengthening the local organization, driving commercial expansion, enhancing operational performance, and positioning VAHLE as the leading partner for electrification and automation solutions in the region.
Success in this role will depend less on technical depth and more on:
1. Leadership maturity
2. Strategic discipline
3. Change management capability
4. Commercial drive
5. Cultural integration ability
Key Responsibilities
1. Strategy & Business Leadership
6. Translate Group strategy into a clear and actionable Iberian business roadmap.
7. Develop, implement, and monitor the annual business plan and budget.
8. Drive long-term growth initiatives and strengthen market positioning.
9. Ensure alignment with Divisions, Business Units, Group functions, and Regional leadership.
10. Lead organizational, cultural, and system development in Spain.
2. Commercial Leadership
11. Deliver sustainable revenue and margin growth.
12. Lead key customer relationships and support structured market expansion.
13. Implement pricing governance and value-based selling practices.
14. Establish discipline in CRM, pipeline management, forecasting, and tender processes.
15. Promote cross-selling and new business development across strategic segments (ports, intralogistics, automation).
3. Operational Excellence
16. Ensure high standards in supply chain, logistics, and customer service.
17. Drive continuous improvement, standardization, and digitalization of processes.
4. Innovation & Solution Development
18. Foster a culture of innovation in products, services, and processes.
19. Collaborate closely with Application Engineering and Product Lines to deliver customer-specific solutions.
20. Support data-driven decision-making and digital tools implementation.
5. Financial Management
21. Full P&L responsibility for the Iberian organization.
22. Ensure profitability, cost efficiency, cash-flow discipline, and risk management.
23. Oversee inventory planning, pricing discipline, and financial accuracy.
24. Approve CAPEX within corporate guidelines.
6. Leadership & Organizational Development
25. Lead and develop a team of approximately 18 professionals.
26. Strengthen accountability, ownership, and clarity of roles.
27. Manage resistance to change and align middle management.
28. Drive talent development, succession planning, and performance culture.
29. Act as a role model for VAHLE values and corporate standards.
Candidate Profile
Education
30. Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Economics, or equivalent experience.
Professional Experience
31. Minimum 5–7 years of senior leadership experience in industrial B2B environments.
32. Proven P&L responsibility.
33. Strong background in B2B solution selling (OEM environment preferred).
34. Experience in structured growth strategies and transformation processes.
35. Sales experience within international organizations.
Core Capabilities
Commercial & Strategic Strength
36. Market analysis and segmentation expertise.
37. Ability to define and execute a 3-year growth roadmap.
38. Balanced hunter and farmer mindset.
39. Strong negotiation skills and value-based selling approach.
40. Experience selling complex technical solutions (not commodity products).
Financial & Operational Acumen
41. Strong cost awareness and profitability management.
42. Experience optimizing commercial organizations.
43. Familiarity with CRM and ERP-driven performance management.
44. Understanding of supply chain and operational excellence principles.
Leadership & Change Management
45. Proven experience leading transformation in organizations with strong legacy cultures.
46. Ability to influence strong personalities and build credibility before enforcing change.
47. High emotional intelligence, resilience, and persistence.
48. Structured communication and corporate alignment mindset.
Industry Background (Preferred)
Experience in one or more of the following sectors is highly valued:
49. Industrial automation
50. Electrification
51. Intralogistics & warehouse automation
52. Port equipment & container handling
53. Industrial cranes
54. Automotive production systems
55. Energy efficiency solutions
Cultural Fit
This role requires strong alignment with a mid-sized global industrial group.
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
56. Accountability
57. Corporate loyalty
58. Structured communication
59. Balanced assertiveness
60. Collaborative leadership style
This position is not suited for individuals who operate as fully autonomous “owners” without corporate alignment or who create internal friction through destructive communication.
Languages & Mobility
61. Spanish: Native
62. English: Fluent
63. German: A plus
64. Willingness to travel frequently within Spain and quarterly internationally
VAHLE España operates as the official subsidiary of the globally recognized VAHLE Group in the Spanish market. The company is responsible for commercial development, technical consulting, project management, and after-sales service across Spain and, where applicable, additional regional markets.
Serving key industrial sectors such as intralogistics and automated warehouses, port and terminal operations, industrial crane and lifting systems, automotive manufacturing, and specialized automation projects, VAHLE España combines the technological excellence of its German headquarters with strong local market expertise and close customer relationships.
The Spanish subsidiary plays a strategic role in expanding the Group’s footprint in Southern Europe, with a clear focus on profitable growth, operational excellence, and customer proximity.