Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Sales Manager (f/m/d)

at Freudenberg

🏢 About Freudenberg

Freudenberg is pioneering sustainable heavy-duty e-mobility by developing tailor-made emission-neutral energy systems, positioning itself at the forefront of the green transportation revolution. The company offers the unique opportunity to contribute directly to decarbonizing commercial transport while working with cutting-edge technology in a remote-first environment.

About This Role

This Senior Sales Manager role involves developing international sales strategies specifically for emission-neutral energy systems and leading a team to expand Freudenberg's global footprint in sustainable heavy-duty e-mobility. The position is impactful because it directly drives market adoption of clean energy solutions for commercial vehicles, contributing to both business growth and environmental sustainability.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day involves morning virtual meetings with the international sales team to review pipeline progress, followed by strategic planning for market expansion in specific regions. Afternoons are spent analyzing sales data in SAP, developing forecasts, and engaging with key distributors or customers to strengthen partnerships and discuss emission-neutral energy system implementations.

🎯 Who Freudenberg Is Looking For

  • Has 5+ years of sales leadership experience in the food industry (specifically mentioned in requirements) with proven success in international market expansion
  • Demonstrates measurable achievements in sales growth and margin improvement for technical products, ideally in sustainability or energy sectors
  • Possesses both German and English fluency at C1 level with experience managing cross-cultural sales teams and partnerships
  • Is proficient in SAP for sales management and uses data analytics to drive strategic decisions in pipeline and budget control

📝 Tips for Applying to Freudenberg

1

Highlight specific international sales achievements in the food industry (not just general sales experience) with metrics like market share growth or distributor network expansion

2

Demonstrate knowledge of heavy-duty e-mobility or sustainable energy systems in your application, even if from adjacent industries

3

Showcase SAP proficiency with concrete examples of how you've used it for sales forecasting, budget control, or pipeline management

4

Include evidence of German language proficiency (C1 level) in your resume, such as work experience in German-speaking markets or language certifications

5

Tailor your application to show how your experience aligns with Freudenberg's mission of emission-neutral energy systems, not just general sales management

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Connect your food industry sales experience to Freudenberg's sustainable energy systems by highlighting transferable skills in technical product sales and distributor management", 'Provide specific examples of international market expansion successes, particularly in German-speaking regions or Europe', 'Demonstrate understanding of heavy-duty e-mobility challenges and how your sales strategies could address them', 'Show how your data-driven approach using SAP and analytics has improved sales efficiency and profitability in previous roles']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • Freudenberg's specific emission-neutral energy system products and their applications in heavy-duty vehicles
  • The competitive landscape for sustainable heavy-duty e-mobility solutions in European and international markets
  • Freudenberg's recent projects or partnerships in the sustainable transportation sector
  • Regulatory trends affecting heavy-duty vehicle emissions in key markets (EU, North America, Asia)

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you develop a sales strategy for emission-neutral energy systems in new international markets, particularly in the heavy-duty transportation sector?
2 Describe your experience managing sales teams remotely and how you motivate performance in a distributed environment
3 What specific metrics would you track to measure success in this role, given Freudenberg's focus on sustainable growth?
4 How have you used SAP to improve sales forecasting accuracy and pipeline management in previous roles?
5 Can you provide examples of building long-term partnerships with distributors in technical industries and how you'd apply this to heavy-duty e-mobility?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Applying with generic sales experience without highlighting specific food industry or technical product sales background
  • Failing to demonstrate international sales experience, particularly in German-speaking markets or Europe
  • Not showing understanding of sustainability or e-mobility trends in the cover letter or application materials

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Freudenberg!