Nikolai Fritz

Driving Global Expansion & Commercial Strategy | BEV, D2C, Distribution Models | Rivian

United States

About

Commercial strategy and market expansion leader with experience scaling mobility and automotive businesses across the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East. Currently shaping Rivian’s international go-to-market strategy, including the company’s first distributor-led market launches (UAE, KSA). I combine top-tier strategy consulting experience at Roland Berger with deep operational leadership across D2C, distribution, pricing, and service in electric mobility. I’ve worked across cultures and functions to build scalable commercial systems, negotiate partnerships, and deliver high-impact growth. Passionate about electrification, customer experience, and making bold strategies executable. Always open to exchanging ideas with others working at the intersection of innovation and operations.

Experience

  • Rivian (Full-time · 5 yrs 4 mos)
    • Director Commercial Strategy
      Oct 2024 - Present · 1 yr 10 mos

      Developed governance frameworks, pricing models, and KPI-linked performance structures to ensure scalability and brand alignment Drove cross-functional coordination with Product, Ops, Finance, and Legal to enable localized D2C and hybrid sales strategies Orchestrated launch readiness reviews across Product, Delivery, Ops, and Customer Support — tracking cross-functional tasks to ensure Day 1 readiness Supported leadership decision-making through financial modeling and scenario analysis on volume targets, marketing budgets, and service capacity planning

    • Senior Manager Strategy
      Jan 2023 - Oct 2024 · 1 yr 10 mos

    • Manager
      Jan 2022 - Jan 2023 · 1 yr 1 mo

  • Senior Consultant at Roland Berger
    Jan 2017 - Apr 2021 · 4 yrs 4 mos

    Advised leading automotive OEMs and suppliers on growth strategy, electrification, and go-to-market models across Europe, Middle East, and North America Led market entry assessments for mobility and tech clients, conducting competitor benchmarking, customer segmentation, and regulatory risk mapping Delivered end-to-end commercial due diligence for PE firms evaluating investments in the EV, e-mobility, and aftermarket sectors

  • Senior Global Venture Development Manager at Rocket Internet SE
    Sep 2015 - Dec 2016 · 1 yr 4 mos

  • Intern at Roland Berger Strategy Consultants
    May 2014 - Aug 2014 · 4 mos

    Automotive Competence Center Technology projects (ADAS, Connectivity, Multimedia, GreenCar)

  • Intern at Kaufmann SA.
    May 2013 - Aug 2013 · 4 mos

    Exclusive retailer for the Daimler AG in South America Development of the market entry strategy for the new Citan from Mercedes-Benz