Senior Business Manager – Importer Markets, Europe

Lotus Cars builds world-class, high-performance and lightweight sports cars that are sold all around the world.

To bring the company to the level we want it to be, we are looking for a Senior Business Manager – Importer Markets, Europe to join us in our Global Commercial site based in Coventry OR Sweden.

This role would on an on-going contract basis.

Summary:

What you’ll do

As Senior Business Manager – Importer Markets, you’ll play an important role in driving the commercial performance and growth of LOTUS across our independent European markets.

Working closely with our Importer partners and LOTUS HQ teams, you’ll help turn our European commercial strategy into clear market-level plans and actions. You’ll be responsible for understanding what is driving performance in each market, identifying opportunities and challenges, and working with our partners to deliver sustainable growth, revenue and profitability.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Monitor sales, revenue and profitability performance across our European Importer markets.

• Work with Importers to identify opportunities to grow sales, improve market performance and strengthen profitability.

• Support annual budgeting, business planning and commercial target setting.

• Develop and maintain sales forecasts, using market insight and performance data to identify risks and opportunities.

• Work with Importers and internal teams to address forecast and performance gaps and agree appropriate actions.

• Support sales operations, including vehicle orders, invoicing, logistics planning and Importer financial thresholds.

• Support pricing and commercial strategies, balancing market competitiveness with volume, revenue and profitability.

• Review and evaluate Importer marketing and MARCOM plans alongside the Head of Importer Markets.

• Work closely with Marketing to ensure local activity supports LOTUS commercial priorities and brand standards.

• Build strong relationships with Importer partners and LOTUS HQ teams across Sales & Operations, Finance, Marketing, Product, Legal and Digital & IT.

• Provide clear commercial analysis, insight and recommendations to senior stakeholders.

• Share best practice across markets and identify opportunities to improve the way we work.

• Travel regularly across the UK and Europe to support market reviews, Importer meetings and key commercial activities.

What we’re looking for

We’re looking for a commercially minded automotive professional who understands how sales, retail operations and profitability come together.

You’ll ideally bring:

• A degree in Economics, Business Administration, Finance, Marketing or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.

• Experience in automotive dealer, retail, sales or commercial management, with strong practical/on-field experience.

• Experience working across multiple European markets and/or at a regional or HQ level.

• Experience working with Importers, distributors or dealer networks.

• Strong understanding of automotive sales and retail operations.

• Experience in forecasting, budgeting, commercial planning and performance management.

• Strong analytical and financial skills, with the ability to turn data into clear commercial actions.

• Experience with pricing, commercial terms and profitability analysis.

• An understanding of automotive marketing and product strategy.

• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.

• The ability to work confidently across different cultures and markets.

• A proactive, curious and solutions-focused approach.

• A high level of autonomy, ownership and accountability.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills.

• Fluent English.

• A willingness to travel regularly across the UK and Europe.

Most importantly, you’ll be someone who enjoys working in an international environment, building relationships and making things happen.

What success looks like

In this role, success means helping our Importer markets perform at their best.

Within your first year, you’ll be expected to:

• Build strong, trusted relationships with our key Importer partners and LOTUS HQ stakeholders.

• Develop a clear understanding of the performance drivers and opportunities across your markets.

• Support the delivery of agreed sales, revenue and profitability targets.

• Improve the quality and accuracy of market forecasting and commercial planning.

• Identify risks early and work with stakeholders to develop effective mitigation plans.

• Help Importers translate commercial strategy into practical market actions.

• Contribute to effective pricing and commercial strategies that balance volume and profitability.

• Strengthen collaboration between LOTUS HQ and our Importer network.

• Provide senior stakeholders with clear, insightful and actionable commercial information.

• Identify opportunities to improve processes, share best practice and drive stronger performance across the Importer network.

Ultimately, you’ll be successful when our Importer partners see you as a trusted commercial partner, our HQ teams see you as a strong connector across the business, and the markets you support demonstrate measurable improvements in performance.

Why Join Us?

This is a significant leadership opportunity to shape and develop the aftersales operation across the UK and Europe at an important stage of the organisation’s growth and transformation.

You will have the opportunity to influence strategy, build dealer capability, improve the customer ownership experience and help shape the future of aftersales, including our transition to EV and new energy vehicles.

Additional Information

The role is based within the LOTUS European organisation and involves regular collaboration with colleagues and Importer partners across Europe.

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we receive a sufficient number of applications, so we encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible.

What we offer:

In addition to a competitive salary, you will have access to the following benefits:

• 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays.

• Pension scheme access.

• Annual bonus - non contractual.

• Private Healthcare.

• Access to the Employee Car Ownership Scheme.

• Group income protection based on length of service.

• Family Friendly policies.

• Exclusive Employee discount, wellbeing and recognition platform #ForUSLOT.

Additional Information:

• This role will be working from our Coventry office. This role will be working on-site, full time. OR from Sweden.

• Closing date: Friday 11th September 2026

• The role involves regular travel across the UK and Europe.

• Candidates must be eligible to work in the UK without VISA sponsorship.

Our Company:

Group Lotus is a leading sports car manufacturer with a 75-year long history of iconic designs, groundbreaking engineering and legendary victories on the F1 track. Today we are transforming into a truly global performance car brand focused on the electrical future. In 2022 we launched the Eletre, the world’s first all-electric hyper-SUV, and in 2023 Emeya, our fully-electric Hyper-GT.

As part of the Lotus team, you push boundaries. Those of the car industry and of your own. Every member of the Lotus family has some of the pioneering mindset of founder Colin Chapman in them.

We're not just a car company; we're a diverse mix of talent from all walks of life. At Lotus, we firmly believe that diversity and inclusion are not just buzzwords but essential pillars of a thriving and successful organization. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and are dedicated to providing reasonable adjustments during the interview process. If you require any special assistance or adjustments, please let us know in advance so we can ensure a fair and accessible interview experience. Our goal is to create an environment where everyone can thrive.

Do you want to know what Sophisticated, Rebellious and Pioneering mean for Lotus? Come and take a look at our career site and join the incredible adventure:

STEP OUTSIDE THE ORDINARY - Lotus Cars