Strategic Accounts Director - Materials&Structures Business Unit

Applus+ Laboratories is a leading provider of testing, inspection, certification, and engineering services, supporting innovation and product development across aerospace, automotive, rail, energy, industrial, and advanced manufacturing sectors.

We are looking for a highly motivated and results-driven Strategic Accounts Director to lead the development and growth of a portfolio of key strategic customers across Europe for our Materials & Structures Business Unit.

In this role, you will be responsible for defining and executing account strategies, strengthening executive-level customer relationships, and driving profitable growth across multiple business units and laboratories. You will act as the primary commercial leader for your assigned strategic accounts, ensuring a coordinated and customer-centric approach across the organization.

This role will report into the Commercial Director and can be based in Germany or France.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Account Management

• Develop and implement long-term strategic account plans aligned with company objectives.
• Identify growth opportunities, cross-selling initiatives, and new service offerings within existing accounts.
• Build trusted relationships with senior customer stakeholders and decision-makers.
• Conduct regular business reviews and ensure customer satisfaction at all levels.

Business Development & Revenue Growth

• Own revenue targets and profitability objectives for assigned strategic accounts.
• Drive sales growth through proactive account development and opportunity management.
• Monitor market trends, customer needs, and competitive activity to identify new business opportunities.
• Develop and maintain sales forecasts and account growth plans.
• Coordinate commercial activities across multiple countries, laboratories, and business units.
• Lead negotiations of framework agreements, pricing strategies, and commercial terms.
• Ensure consistency of customer engagement and pricing policies across the organization.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Operations, Technical Experts, and Business Development teams to execute account strategies.

Customer Relationship Management

• Serve as the executive sponsor for strategic customers.
• Manage high-level customer escalations and complex commercial discussions.
• Understand customer roadmaps, investment plans, and future requirements to position the company as a strategic partner.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Business, Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field.
• Minimum 8–10 years of experience in strategic account management, business development, or technical sales.
• Proven track record of managing large international accounts and achieving ambitious growth targets.
• Experience working in complex B2B environments, ideally within testing, certification, engineering, industrial services, aerospace, defense, energy, medical, or related industries.
• Strong negotiation, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Fluent in English; additional European languages are a plus.

What We Offer

• Opportunity to manage some of the company's most strategic customers.
• International and collaborative work environment.
• High visibility role with direct impact on business growth.
• Competitive compensation package including performance-based incentives.
• Professional development and career growth opportunities.

Why Join Us?

Join a dynamic organization where innovation, customer focus, and collaboration drive success. As a Strategic Accounts Director, you will play a key role in shaping long-term customer partnerships and contributing directly to the company's growth strategy.