Vice President, Global Vertical Head, Automotive

DSV • Michigan City, MI

10d • Onsite

About The Position

The Vice President, Global Contract Logistics Vertical Head – Automotive is responsible for driving the global commercial strategy, growth, and development of DSV’s Automotive vertical within Contract Logistics. This role provides strategic and commercial leadership across the global Automotive customer portfolio, leading Global Account Directors and Business Development resources to strengthen customer relationships, expand existing business, develop new opportunities, and improve overall commercial performance. The Vice President serves as a senior strategic partner to key Automotive customers and works across DSV regions, countries, business units, and functions to translate customer requirements and global vertical strategy into scalable, profitable solutions. The position is accountable for building a strong global commercial organization while ensuring alignment between customer strategy, business development, solution design, implementation, and operational execution.

Requirements

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written).
• Significant commercial leadership experience (typically 10–15 years) in global supply chain and logistics.
• Proven ability to manage large, complex customer portfolios and deliver sustainable growth across multiple regions.
• Automotive/ Automotive supply industry knowledge and experience
• Strong leadership skills with experience managing global teams and developing commercial talent.
• Excellent relationship management and negotiation capabilities at senior customer and internal stakeholder levels.
• Strategic and operational balance – able to think globally while executing effectively.
• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain, Logistics, Engineering, Finance, or a related field required. Equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience may be considered.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience within logistics, supply chain, contract logistics, Automotive, or a related industry.
• Significant experience in commercial leadership, global account management, business development, or strategic customer management.
• Demonstrated experience within the Automotive and/or Automotive supply industry required.
• Proven experience managing complex, multinational customer relationships and commercial portfolios across multiple countries or regions.
• Demonstrated success developing and executing commercial strategies that deliver sustainable revenue and profitable growth.
• Experience leading and developing geographically dispersed or global teams strongly preferred.
• Experience with complex contract logistics solutions, customer implementations, strategic sourcing events, RFQs/RFPs, and commercial negotiations strongly preferred.
• Business fluent in English
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Office Software (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and others)
• Experience working with sourcing tools and Applicant Tracking Systems

Nice To Haves

• German language proficiency is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the global commercial strategy for the Automotive vertical within Contract Logistics, aligned with DSV's overall business and growth objectives.
• Lead, develop, and provide strategic direction to a global team of Global Account Directors, Business Development Managers, and other commercial resources supporting the Automotive vertical.
• Drive profitable organic growth across existing global Automotive accounts through account development, cross-selling, solution expansion, and identification of new business opportunities.
• Develop and maintain a strong pipeline of strategic new business opportunities across the global Automotive market.
• Establish and maintain executive-level relationships with key customers, positioning DSV as a strategic supply chain and logistics partner.
• Maintain a strong understanding of the Automotive and Automotive supply industry, including customer requirements, supply chain trends, market developments, competitive dynamics, and emerging opportunities.
• Provide executive sponsorship and commercial leadership for major customer opportunities, renewals, RFQs/RFPs, contract negotiations, and strategic account initiatives.
• Partner with regional, country, operational, solution design, implementation, and functional leadership to develop customer solutions that are commercially competitive, operationally executable, and financially sustainable.
• Collaborate closely with the Enterprise Vertical Head and other DSV divisions to identify opportunities for broader DSV solutions and integrated customer offerings.
• Establish clear account strategies, commercial priorities, and performance expectations across the global Automotive portfolio.
• Monitor commercial and account performance against established KPIs, including revenue, gross profit, pipeline development, customer retention, account growth, and other relevant performance measures.
• Identify commercial, operational, and customer risks and partner with appropriate stakeholders to develop and execute corrective actions.
• Maintain visibility into the global Automotive opportunity pipeline and provide accurate reporting and forecasting to senior leadership.
• Promote commercial excellence and consistent account management practices across regions and countries.
• Build a high-performing, accountable, and collaborative global team while developing talent and strengthening succession and leadership capabilities.
• Support DSV's continuous improvement culture by identifying opportunities to improve customer solutions, commercial processes, scalability, and profitability.

Benefits

• Information regarding DSV’s benefits offerings, including eligibility, coverage options, and plan details, is available through the DSV Benefits Showcase . Benefits, programs, and eligibility may vary by location and division in accordance with applicable state and local laws.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive