General Manager

IFE is the worldwide leading manufacturer of automatic entrance systems for railway vehicles with its global headquarters in Kematen / Ybbs (Austria). The General Manager of IFE India, a senior leadership position, is ideal for a visionary leader with a passion for technology, sales & marketing, engineering and operational excellence, growing a high-performing team in a global context. This role is pivotal in supporting IFE's strong position and large footprint on the Indian market, and to lead the business development activities on this growing market in all vehicle segments (Metro, Vande Bharat, Namo Bharat, Highspeed). YOUR TASKS

• Lead and manage the BU Doors organization within Knorr-Bremse India (sales & project management, engineering, operations), including defining objectives, developing market and product strategies, allocating resources, and monitoring progress.

• Analyze the market and develop strategic sales planning with responsibility for budget and midterm planning achievements for BU Doors relevant business within Knorr-Bremse India.

• Interact proactively with all relevant Indian customers and develop and grow strong relationships.

• Oversee day-to-day business operations for the BU Doors within Knorr-Bremse India, ensuring efficiency, compliance, and alignment with global standards and local requirements.

• Develop and implement operational strategies to support business growth, technological innovation, and customer satisfaction in the Indian market.

• Define and execute the Rail Services (aftermarket) business growth strategy.

• Facilitate collaboration between departments in India & overseas to identify and implement synergies across operations (e.g. shared resources, standardized processes, joint procurement).

• Set up joint governance forums and working groups for functions like Quality, Supply Chain Management, Purchasing, and Engineering to drive integration and cost-efficiency.

• Collaborate closely with the KB India management board, regional teams, and international stakeholders to ensure seamless execution of company initiatives and alignment with global objectives.

• Analyze and mitigate project and operational risks, implementing corrective actions as needed to maintain project and business continuity.

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, leveraging data analytics and best practices to optimize processes and enhance productivity.

• Foster a high-performance culture, supporting talent development, succession planning, and workforce engagement in collaboration with HR.

• Represent IFE India at events of our customers and external partners, strengthening the company's profile and stakeholder relationships.

www.ife-doors.com

YOUR PROFILE Required Qualifications and Experience

Experience Level - 15 to 22 years

• Advanced degree in engineering, business administration, or a related field.

• Extensive experience in sales & project management and engineering leadership, preferably within the railway industry.

• Strong knowledge in operations management (purchasing, quality, manufacturing, engineering, supply chain management, etc.)

• Proven track record of managing complex, cross-functional projects and leading large teams in a multinational environment.

• Strong financial acumen, including P&L responsibility, cost and revenue planning, and cash flow management.

• Excellent communication skills in English (additional Indian languages to Hindi are an asset).

• Proficient in MS Project, MS Office, and SAP. Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking and strong analytical skills.

• Leadership and people management, with the ability to inspire and develop diverse teams.

• Results-oriented, with a focus on operational excellence and customer satisfaction.

• Change management and adaptability in a dynamic, fast-growing market.

• Effective stakeholder management and cross-cultural collaboration. Location: 2026 – mid 2027 Knorr-Bremse India Ltd in Palwal, Haryana, from mid of 2027 Mambakkam, Tamil Nadu (travel to other KB locations worldwide and customers within India) Reporting to: Director Sales and Marketing Knorr-Bremse India plus global BU Doors CEO (located in Austria) Division: Rail / BU Doors