Head of Corporate Industrial Design (m/f/d)
The purpose of the role is to create and consistently apply a clear, distinctive, and future‑oriented design language across all relevant product segments. Corporate Industrial Design serves as the link between brand, engineering, and customer requirements, strengthening market differentiation, highlighting product quality and innovation, and enabling standardisation and efficiency gains across group‑wide product development.
In this function, the role acts as the central authority for Corporate Industrial Design within the defined governance framework, ensuring that design is systematically embedded in relevant processes, governance structures, and strategic decision‑making.
The role does not replace the product responsibility of the divisions but ensures their alignment with the corporate Industrial Design framework.
Creating passion: your responsibilities
- Definition and continuous development of the Corporate Industrial Design vision and the Design Language System of the Liebherr Group
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Strategic alignment of design direction with product strategies, brand positioning, and relevant technology trends
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Translation of design ambitions into engineering-compatible principles
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Establishment, leadership, and ongoing enhancement of the Corporate Industrial Design governance framework
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Definition and enforcement of design rules, review processes, and decision rights in line with established guidelines, including final responsibility for CID compliance and the handling of deviations
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Acting as chief design reviewer for major product developments and providing well‑founded design evaluations and recommendations
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Ensuring consistent application of the design language across divisions while respecting product‑specific requirements and enabling cross-divisional alignment
- Actively driving the introduction and adoption of Corporate Industrial Design while respecting divisional product responsibility
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Acting as a strategic sparring partner to business unit management
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Strategic management of external design agencies including leadership of the Lead Design Agency and ensuring alignment with CID
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Developing and strengthening internal design capabilities while avoiding redundant structures or resource duplication within the Group
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Building and developing the core of the Corporate Industrial Design organisation through a lean, demand‑oriented central design function
Contributing your strengths: your qualifications
- Degree in Industrial Design, Engineering, Business Administration, or a comparable qualification
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Extensive experience in industrial design, product development, or a design leadership role in an engineering-driven environment
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Experience working in complex organisations with multiple business units and diverse stakeholder groups
- Proven track record in leading cross‑functional initiatives and collaborating with experts and senior‑level stakeholders
- Ability to position design as a business-relevant capabilityy
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Strong understanding of product strategy, value creation, and cost implications
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High level of confidence in assessing design quality, consistency, and strategic direction
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In‑depth understanding of design principles, technical constraints, manufacturing processes, and product architecture
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Ability to effectively bridge design intent and technical feasibility
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High level of credibility at senior management level
- Ability to lead without direct authority in a matrix organisation
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Excellent communication, alignment, and stakeholder management skills
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Pragmatic and solution‑oriented mindset
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Ability to balance long‑term vision with operational and economic realities
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Strong focus on efficiency, quality, and sustainable impact
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Good command of German (written and spoken) is required for this role
Our commitment to you: your benefits
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Flexibility in everyday work through hybrid working models, 30 days of annual leave, and flexible working hours
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Support during key life events through financial benefits and additional special leave
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Fair and performance‑based compensation
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Financial support for commuting, e.g. through a regional job ticket or travel cost subsidy
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Grow together with our wide‑ranging training and development programmes
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Achieve great things together with colleagues around the world
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Strong team spirit combined with room for creativity
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Recharge with fresh, delicious meals made from regional ingredients in our company restaurant
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Stay healthy on the move with our bike‑leasing programme
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For your well‑being and future: occupational health services, discounts on sports and leisure activities, and a company pension scheme
Have we awoken your interest? Then we look forward to receiving your online application. If you have any questions, please contact Nicole Widmann.
One Passion. Many Opportunities.
The company
Liebherr-International Deutschland GmbH, based in Biberach an der Riss, performs a wide range of functions in the areas of finance, tax, auditing, legal, insurance, human resources and communications and brand management for the Liebherr Group, which employs nearly 50,000 people in more than 140 companies worldwide.
Location
Liebherr-International Deutschland GmbH
Memminger Straße 120
88400 Biberach
Germany (DE)
Contact
Nicole Widmann
+49 171 7271581
