Contract Manager

At Vinçotte (part of the Kiwa Group), we are a leading provider of inspection, certification, and homologation services, trusted across the automotive sector for our technical expertise and regulatory knowledge. With over 2,000 employees, we support clients globally in meeting the highest standards in quality, safety, and compliance — from vehicle type approval to cutting-edge technologies in sustainability and cybersecurity. As our team continues to grow, we are looking for an experienced Contract Manager – Vehicle Homologation (M/F/X) to help manage international homologation projects for leading automotive OEMs and component suppliers. As a Contract Manager, you will be responsible for managing vehicle type approval projects across the European and UN regulatory frameworks (EU 2018/858, UNECE). You will coordinate directly with international manufacturers, laboratories, and government authorities to ensure compliance and certification of vehicles and systems. Your role includes on-site test witnessing , technical analysis , dossier preparation , and the full follow-up process with the competent authorities in The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Sweden and others. You thrive in a multicultural environment and are willing to travel abroad multiple times per year for extended periods , particularly to Japan, Korea, India, and other manufacturing hubs. Key Responsibilities Manage homologation projects from start to finish: planning, witnessing, analysis, certification Witness approval tests at manufacturer or lab sites in accordance with Vinçotte and EU/UN procedures Review and analyse technical reports from testing partners and prepare full approval documentation Liaise with type approval authorities in BE, LU, or SE for certificate delivery Stay informed on evolving regulatory frameworks (e.g. EU 2018/858, UN R155/R156, ISO 9001) Build trusted client relationships and provide guidance during audits and approvals Coordinate with internal experts, engineers, and auditors to ensure technical consistency and accuracy Maintain structured documentation and reporting in compliance with internal quality systems Bachelor's or Master's degree in Automotive Engineering or a relevant technical field Minimum 3 to 5 years of experience in the automotive sector, preferably in homologation or type approval Solid understanding of EU and UNECE vehicle regulations (e.g. EU 2018/858, UN R10, R13, R79, etc.) Experience with manufacturing environments , quality systems and ISO 9001 is a strong plus Technically analytical, precise in documentation, and able to work autonomously Strong communicator, with the ability to manage stakeholders and clients in an international context Fluent in English , and either Dutch or French is a must Living in Belgium or willing to relocate on own expense Willingness and ability to travel internationally several times a year for periods of 2–5 weeks A key technical role within a growing, internationally recognised homologation team Real impact at the intersection of mobility, regulation and innovation International exposure with leading global manufacturers Belgian contract with: Competitive salary and bonus Company car + fuel card 34 vacation days Daily travel allowance when abroad Health and group insurance Meal vouchers, mobile phone, laptop Flexible working hours and hybrid options Kindly note that we are unfortunately unable to offer visa sponsorship or facilitate work permits at this time. Hubs, Audit, Technical analysis, Documentation, Iso 9001, Delivery, Homologation, Provided Guidance, Dossier Preparation, Manufacturing, Laboratory Work, Projects, Technical Reports, Regulation, Contracts, Planning, Quality systems, Stay Informed, Vehicle Management, Coordination, Vehicles, Liasion duties, Reporting, Analysis, Testing, Building Trust, Management, Customer Relations, Internal Quality, Vehicles