Christian Frantz

Global Key Account Manager BMW at DGS Druckguss Systeme AG

Berlin Metropolitan Area

About

International experience in general management, business development, key account management, program management and strategy for the global automotive supply industry with a focus on developing new markets. Intimate knowledge of the light metal market, lightweight strategies of automotive OEMs and competitive landscape with strong, established relationships with key customers in particular the premium automotive OEMs. Expertise in creating new markets by working with customers on business cases for complex engineered solutions. Expertise in the complex automotive product development process from concept through product launch, working strategically with customers to maximize lightweight technologies. Multilingual with experience working with and managing global teams in North America, UK, Italy, Sweden, Poland and China. Complex negotiations with customers located in the US, Germany, UK, Italy, Sweden, Spain and Turkey.

Experience

  • DGS Druckguss Systeme AG (8 yrs 4 mos)
    • Global Key Account Manager BMW
      May 2020 - Present · 6 yrs 3 mos

      Responsible for managing the customer key account BMW on global level.

    • Head of Sales and Marketing
      Apr 2018 - Apr 2020 · 2 yrs 1 mo

      Responsible for the sales and marketing of the DGS Group, a key player in the marketing, design and production of light metal structural die casting components in aluminium and magnesium. Member of the management board, responsible for achieving growth targets and international customer expansion strategy. At same time key account manager for the customer BMW.

  • Managing Director at Atalanta Magnesium GmbH
    Jan 2017 - Dec 2018 · 2 yrs

    Founder and Managing Director of Atalanta Magnesium GmbH, a new company active in the design, marketing and production of complex magnesium components to the automotive industry. Designed business strategy, business planning, financial management and investment planning, production process strategy. Established new company as a serious new player in the segment of magnesium die casting with several target customers. Pitched business idea and company planning to various potential strategic investors with the aim to win a core investor. Teamed up with one investor and won initial seed business with one European premium OEM.

  • Shiloh Industries (Gothenburg, Sweden)
    • Executive Director Sales & Program Management
      Oct 2015 - Dec 2016 · 1 yr 3 mos

      Accountable for all customer related activities from initial customer contact, business nomination until start of production. Heading three departments with key account management, program management and product design. Responsible for multinational teams of >20 employees at several locations in Sweden, Plans and Germany.

    • Director Sales & Business Development, Europe
      Sep 2014 - Sep 2015 · 1 yr 1 mo

      Accountable for all sales activities across all company's product lines for the European production facilities. Global responsibility for all key accounts with global HQ in Europe. Managed an international team with office locations in Sweden, Poland and Germany. Key achievements: Added several strategic new customers to the company portfolio with JLR, BMW and Daimler. Globalized company's magnesium business by winning initial new programs for a greenfield facility in the US. Through new sales wins brought all European facilities to full capacity utilization across all product lines.

  • Meridian Lightweight Technologies (6 yrs 8 mos)
    • Director Business Development Europe & Global Strategy
      Apr 2012 - Aug 2014 · 2 yrs 5 mos

      Accountable for achieving sales and growth targets globally with customers originating from Europe. Managed a team of key account managers for key OEMs and Tier1s (JLR, BMW, Daimler, Porsche, AUDI, ZF Lenksysteme and others). Developed and implemented a customer & product market strategy for new business development. Managed key customer contacts. Total sales responsibility >USD$100million.

    • Managing Director
      Jan 2008 - Aug 2014 · 6 yrs 8 mos

      Responsible for the German subsidiary of Meridian Lightweight Technologies. Accountable for all business activities of the Meridian group in Germany. Managed all employees of Meridian in Germany (Sales, Program Management, Accounting & Administration). Managed key customer contacts in Germany. Sole signature authority on behalf of the GmbH. Responsible for producing and signing annual statements and financial reports.

  • Manager Business Development, Central Europe at Meridian Lightweight Technologies Inc.
    Oct 2002 - Dec 2006 · 4 yrs 3 mos

    Headquartered in Ontario, Canada, Meridian is a global leader in designing, marketing and producing complex magnesium die casting components and modules. Accountable for managing existing accounts as well as establishing new accounts in Central Europe. Managed team of sales managers.