Sales Manager Retail (m/f/d) at Clarios · Madrid

At Clarios, we are producing the world’s best batteries, essential for the evolving future of transportation. Our advanced, low-voltage batterie technologies and smart solutions power nearly every type of vehicle. 1 in 3 vehicles powered by a Clarios Battery worldwide. We are home to strong brands like VARTA® and OPTIMA® and we are driven by a common goal to create cutting-edge technology in a sustainable manner. Ready to power up your career? Then explore the possibilities with us and become a valued member of our team!

As Sales Manager Retail you will be responsible for managing and developing assigned customer accounts to achieve sales, profitability, and growth objectives. Acting as the primary point of contact for customers in the field, you will ensure excellent commercial support, effective execution of business plans, and strong collaboration with internal teams. The role requires leveraging on-the-ground market insights and data to support business strategies and drive performance. In addition, you will play a key role in developing the capabilities, motivation, and leadership skills of store managers and staff, fostering a high-performing retail organization.

The position will be based in Madrid Office in Spain.

What you will do

Customer Management

• Act as the main point of contact and trusted advisor for retail store Manager, building trust and fostering collaboration
• Work with store teams to elevate customer service quality and create consistent Varta brand experience
• Provide hands-on support for store operations, merchandising, and staff training
• Ensure high levels of customer satisfaction through responsive support and issue resolution
• Facilitate communication to align goals, share best practices and address issues
• Develop a thorough understanding of customer business objectives and strategies

Business Development

• Drive Sales and Operational Excellence
• Leverage insights from the field to contribute to the strategic planning of retail initiatives
• Identify opportunities for optimization of field services within the retail network
• Achieve assigned sales volume, revenue, and profitability targets
• Identify opportunities for business growth
• Develop account-specific action plans to increase market share and product penetration
• Support the implementation of promotional and category initiatives
• Organize workshops or coaching sessions for retail staff to enhance product knowledge and sales techniques and customer service skills
• Assist in developing annual customer business plans, reviews and regular customer visits

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Work closely with Supply Chain, Marketing, and Category Management
• Coordinate customer projects and ensure execution of agreed activities
• Support resolution of logistics, inventory, and service-related issues
• Ensure trade marketing materials are effectively implemented across the assigned retail network

Customer- and Market Intelligence Insights

• Conduct regular field visits to assess store performance, customer experience, pricing and operational
• Gather insights into customer preferences, purchasing patterns, competitive activity and local market trends
• Identify gaps in sales performance, service levels, product assortment or field execution and propose corrective actions.
• Share relevant market intelligence with internal stakeholders to support account planning and retail execution.

Reporting & Analysis

• Prepare and share structured reports on account -and store level performance to inform national strategies
• Prepare monthly performance reviews highlighting business successes, challenges, and Intelligence information such as competitor developments, pricing evolutions, trends, benchmarks and recommendations.
• Contribute to forecast preparation and demand planning by sharing account and field insights

What makes you a good fit

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Marketing, Sales, Economics, or related field
• 2–5 years of experience in sales, account management, retail, or customer-facing commercial roles
• Ability to translate market, customer and field insights into action plans
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, analytical and interpersonal skills
• Proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, and CRM systems
• Fluent in Spanish and English

Key Competencies & Skills

• Key Account Management & Customer Relationship Building
• Commercial Acumen and Financial Awareness
• Sales Negotiation & Market Knowledge
• Problem Solving and Decision-Making
• Strong Communication and Presentation Skills
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Ability to build and maintain strong stakeholder relationships
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment
• Self-driven, able to work independently and as part of a team
• Leadership, coaching, and people development skills

What we offer you

As a technology leader with strong brands (i.e. VARTA® and OPTIMA®), Clarios notably lives on the creativity, capability and satisfaction of its employees. Therefore, we offer people with drive and power many good reasons to join us:

• Modern Office in Madrid: Enjoy working in a stylish office located in downtown Madrid (Paseo de la Habana).
• Challenging and Rewarding Work: Engage in exciting professional tasks within a diverse international environment committed to integrity, values, social engagement, and sustainability.
• Competitive Compensation: Benefit from an industry-leading salary that supports both your professional and personal growth. Our compensation structure rewards both individual and team achievements. The comprehensive package also includes meal allowances, a company seniority bonus, a wedding allowance as well as contribution for the birth of child. Additionally, we support your family by offering scholarships for your children aged 3 to 18 years who are enrolled in school or nursery school.
• Comprehensive Insurance: Rest easy with our robust life and accident insurance.
• Generous Vacation Packages: Take advantage of competitive vacation packages (23 working days plus 4 days of free disposal that may vary depending on the work calendar of each year at the workplace) and paid public holidays, ensuring you have ample time to recharge and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
• Supportive Onboarding and Development: Our advanced onboarding process and buddy program help you quickly integrate into your role and team. Utilize resources from our Learning Academy, LinkedIn Learning, and EMEA Mentoring Program to further your professional and personal development.

You want to learn more about the position and our EMEA region? Check out our regional page and get in touch with our recruiting team.

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About Clarios:

Clarios is the global leader in advanced, low-voltage battery technologies for mobility. Our batteries and smart solutions power nearly every type of vehicle and are found in 1 of 3 cars on the road today. With around 18,000 employees in over 100 countries, we bring deep expertise to our Aftermarket and OEM partners, and reliability, safety and comfort to everyday lives. We answer to the planet with a rigorous sustainability focus – advancing best-in-class sustainability practices and advocating for them across our industry. We work to ensure 100% of our products sold are recyclable, and we recycle 8,000 batteries an hour in our network. You can find more information here (PDF).

To All Recruitment Agencies: Clarios does not accept unsolicited agency resumes/CVs. Please do not forward resumes/CVs to our careers email addresses, Clarios employees or any other company location. Clarios is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes/CVs.

Equal Employment Opportunity: Clarios, LLC is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran status, status as a qualified individual with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. For more information, please view EEO is the Law, EEO is the Law (supplement), and Pay Transparency Non-discrimination. If you are an individual with a disability and you require an accommodation during the application process, please email Special.Accommodations@Clarios.com.

A Note to Job Applicants: please be aware of scams being perpetrated through the Internet and social media platforms. Clarios will never require a job applicant to pay money as part of the application or hiring process.