As an Account Executive at Knorr-Bremse Group, your daily responsibilities will revolve around strategic account management and commercial execution. You will serve as the primary point of contact for key accounts, ensuring their needs are met while driving profitable growth for the business.

• Account Strategy & Planning – Developing and executing comprehensive account strategies to maximize revenue and market share within your assigned territory or customer segment.
• Lead Tender Processes – Coordinating cross-functional teams to prepare, submit, and negotiate high-value bids and proposals for complex industrial systems.
• Relationship Management – Cultivating deep, multi-level relationships within client organizations, from technical engineers to C-level executives.
• Market Intelligence – Monitoring industry trends, competitor activities, and regulatory changes to identify new business opportunities and threats.
• Contract Negotiation – Leading commercial negotiations for new equipment sales, system upgrades, and long-term service agreements to ensure favorable terms and risk mitigation.
• Internal Collaboration – Working closely with project management, quality assurance, and engineering departments to ensure seamless execution of delivered contracts.

The ideal candidate for this role possesses a unique combination of technical appreciation, commercial drive, and cultural adaptability. Knorr-Bremse Group values professionals who can speak the language of both engineers and business executives.

• Must-have skills & experience:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering, or a related technical field.
  • Proven track record in B2B sales, account management, or business development within an industrial, automotive, aerospace, or rail environment.
  • Experience navigating long sales cycles and managing complex, multi-stakeholder contract negotiations.
  • Strong presentation and communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts simply.
  • Fluency in English (and German for European roles), as you will regularly collaborate with global headquarters and regional offices.

• Nice-to-have skills:

  • Experience working within a matrixed, multinational corporate structure.
  • Familiarity with CRM tools (such as Salesforce) and modern sales methodologies.
  • Basic understanding of pneumatic, hydraulic, or electronic control systems.

Q: How technical do I need to be for this role? A: While you do not need to be a design engineer, you must have a strong technical aptitude. You need to understand how Knorr-Bremse Group's systems integrate into the client's larger vehicles or infrastructure to discuss solutions credibly.

Q: What is the company culture like? A: The culture is highly professional, structured, and engineering-driven. There is a strong emphasis on quality, precision, and long-term planning, reflecting the safety-critical nature of the products.

Q: How long does the hiring process typically take? A: The process can take anywhere from four weeks to three months. Because senior directors and global stakeholders are often involved in the final rounds, coordinating schedules can sometimes cause delays.

Q: Is travel required for this role? A: Yes, regular travel to client sites, production facilities, and regional offices is a standard part of this role, as building face-to-face relationships is critical in industrial sales.

To stand out during your interview process, keep these practical tips in mind:

• Understand the Divisions: Before your interview, make sure you know whether the position is within the Rail Vehicle Systems (Schiene) or Commercial Vehicle Systems (Nutzfahrzeuge) division. Tailor your examples to match the specific dynamics of that sector.
• Showcase Your Resilience: Be ready to discuss how you handle stress and setbacks. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to describe how you overcame a challenging commercial situation.
• Highlight Internal Collaboration: Emphasize your ability to work with technical departments (Fachabteilung). Show that you respect their expertise and know how to collaborate to build winning proposals.
• Be Professional and Patient: The corporate culture at Knorr-Bremse Group values structured, respectful, and professional communication. Approach every interaction—including scheduling and follow-ups—with high professionalism.

Securing a role as an Account Executive at Knorr-Bremse Group is a highly rewarding achievement that positions you at the center of global industrial innovation. This role offers the opportunity to manage high-impact, prestigious accounts and contribute to the safety and sustainability of modern transportation systems.

To maximize your chances of success, focus your preparation on demonstrating deep B2B sales expertise, strong cross-functional collaboration skills, and personal resilience. Take the time to understand Knorr-Bremse Group's product portfolio and the unique dynamics of their target markets.

The compensation data above reflects the competitive nature of sales roles at Knorr-Bremse Group. When negotiating, remember that your overall package will often include a combination of base salary, performance-related bonuses, and regional benefits. Use your preparation to demonstrate the clear commercial value you will bring to the team. For more detailed insights, mock interviews, and preparation resources, explore the tools available on Dataford to help you put your best foot forward.