Manuela Ben-Lahcen
M.Ben-Lahcen@ibagent.de
today
B2B Agent for International Business
German Automotive Consultant for Chrome plated parts
Global Interface for producers, subcontractors, TIER 1 and OEMs
Market introduction and project management for surface finished parts.
03.2011 – 12.2014
OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) Manager for Automotive
Atotech Deutschland GmbH (subsidiary of Total group), Berlin
• Core products: decorative finishes for interior / exterior parts (Copper, Nickel, Chrome)
Main Tasks:
• Establish net of contacts in design, auditing & laboratories of German OEMs worldwide
• Production Part Approval Process (pass technical specification through supply chain)
• Key contact for VW, Porsche, Audi, Skoda, BMW, Daimler, Opel and TIER 1
• Workshops “Decorative Chrome plating” for OEM Auditors, Designers and Technicians
• Source for knowledge on sustainability -> REACh aspects, Cr VI versus Cr III
• Contribute to R & D’s “Automotive Development Roadmap“
• Associate with working committee subgroup of the VDA
08.2006 – 12.2010
European Product Manager for Engineering plastics
Biesterfeld Plastic GmbH, Hamburg (BPG)
• Core products: Thermoplastics and PP Compounds for extrusion and injection moulding
Main Tasks:
• Responsible for BPG’s European activities for TPE’s and PP Compounds
• Development of marketing strategy and hand out sales recommendations for local units
• Negotiating with ExxonMobil yearly purchasing conditions for the group
• Technical and commercial support of local sales teams (cross fertilizing)
• Key Account Management for customers > € 150.000/a
• Reporting, Budgets, Forecasts
07.2004 – 07.2006
Sales and Marketing Lead for Yarns
Garn Groß Handel GmbH, Pinneberg
• Core products: exclusive Yarns and fittings
Main Tasks:
• Responsible for 8 staff members, recruitment and training on the job
• Evaluation of competitors, customer demands and own market position
• Development and Implementation of new sales strategies and resolution of complaints
07.2001 – 06.2004
Vize Division Manager for High Performance and Standard Plastics
(due to performance excellence as Sales Manager internally promoted in 07.2003)
Sales Manager for Plastic Compounds
Krahn Chemie GmbH, Hamburg
• Core products: UHMW-PE, glass beads for PA, colour pigments, UV stabilizers, lubricants
Main tasks (Vize Division Manager):
• Lead of two sales staff
• Source and unlock suppliers for fillers, lubricants and additives
• Definition and execution of revenue enhancing campaigns
• Introduction of new products at existing and new customers
• Budgets, Agreement on objectives for the business areas
Main Tasks (Sales Manager):
• Inventory control and purchasing of products
• Sales of chemistry within Europe (together with colleagues abroad and by myself)
• Cold calls and Customer care
05.1995 – 06.2001
Sales Representative for Solvents for 4 years
RWE-DEA AG, Hamburg (acquired by SASOL Germany GmbH in 03.2001)
• Core products: IPA, MEK and Ethanol
Main Tasks (Sales assistant, travelling, for Solvents):
• Key contact for distribution partners
• Turnover and sales responsibility for Solvents in ES, PT and Eastern Europe
• Market investigation, analyses and regular reporting
• Rolling forecast for budgets and in house production planning
Main Tasks (Sales back up at the office for Inorganics for 2 years):
• Internal sales processing SAP R/3
• Customer care for Japan, Korea, Taiwan, India
06.1993 – 01.1995
Personal Assistant
Illies ehem. Erex Southern Africa, Johannesburg
• Core business: Import of Textile and Packaging Machinery and fittings
Main Tasks:
• Regular office duty
• Local customer care and purchasing of spare parts.
09.1989 – 08.1992
Commercial Apprentice & Employee for metal process engineering
IMS Morat & Söhne, Eisenbach
• Core products: connectors, gears and cog wheels
Main Tasks:
• Interface sales department and production planning
• verification of new production planning computer system
• internal user support desk