Bakker & Partners is exclusively searching for our client, active as a worldwide known supplier of lubricants and greases, for an
Business Development Manager CEE
You know the automotive market. You know lubricants. And you know where the opportunities are.
Our client, an international player in lubricants and greases, is looking for a Business Development Manager Automotive CEE to grow its presence across Central and Eastern Europe.
We are looking for a hunter, someone who knows the automotive lubricant market, understands the distribution landscape and brings a strong network across the region.
You can be based in CEE or elsewhere in Europe. What matters is that you bring the region with you: the network, the market knowledge and ideally one of the local languages.
Your biggest challenge
Turn market knowledge and relationships into growth.
You will identify new opportunities, open doors with distributors, motor factors, OEMs and other key automotive players, and turn these relationships into long-term business.
You combine commercial drive with strategic thinking and work closely with colleagues across the organisation to make opportunities happen.
What you’ll do
Hunt for new business
- Identify and develop new business opportunities across Automotive, On- & Off-Highway and Agricultural markets.
- Build and manage a strong pipeline across the CEE region.
- Turn opportunities into sustainable commercial growth.
Build strong partnerships
- Develop long-term relationships with distributors, motor factors, OEMs and key automotive players.
- Use your network and market knowledge to open new doors.
- Understand customer needs and create win-win partnerships.
Shape the market strategy
- Monitor market trends, competition and customer needs.
- Identify where the company can grow and translate opportunities into concrete business plans.
- Share market insights and best practices with the wider commercial team.
Make things happen
- Lead negotiations around contracts, pricing and supply agreements.
- Work closely with Sales, Marketing, Product Management, Customer Service and Supply Chain.
- Take ownership and drive solutions when challenges arise.
This is you
- At least 5 years of experience in international business development or senior sales, ideally within automotive lubricants and/or the automotive aftermarket.
- Strong knowledge of the CEE lubricants distribution landscape.
- An existing network across the Balkan/CEE region.
- A proven track record in hunting new business and driving growth.
- Commercially driven, entrepreneurial and comfortable working autonomously.
- A strong team player who enjoys working across countries and functions.
- Fluent in English and at least one Central or Eastern European language. Croatian, Serbian or Hungarian are particularly relevant.
- Willing to travel approximately 20–30%.
Where you live is less important than the region you know.
What’s in it for you?
- A key commercial role with direct impact on the company’s growth.
- The freedom to build a market rather than simply maintain one.
- An international role across multiple countries and cultures.
- A growing organisation where initiative and entrepreneurship are encouraged.
- Opportunities for both vertical and lateral career growth.
- A competitive salary package aligned with your experience and local market.
- The autonomy and trust to make things happen.
Ready to make things happen?
If you know the market, have the network and enjoy hunting for opportunities, we’d love to hear from you.
