Our large vehicle dealer client in Gauteng is looking to employ a very well experienced
Dealer Principal with a proven track record.

Overview: Job purpose and deliverables
Purpose of the role: The purpose of the role is to manage a business that continually creates value for all stakeholders through the collective efforts of skilled, motivated and productive employees, the support of loyal and delighted customers and mutually beneficial relationships with manufacturers and other suppliers.

Key deliverables and outputs:
Develop a dealership strategy for new and repeat business
Understand, implement and communicate dealer agreement and obtain clean audit from manufacturer
Visit different dealers to determine best practice
Develop an integrated dealership SWOT analysis
Create a shared vision and mission to give purpose to the dealership. Define values to guide the dealership’s operations
Formulate objectives and strategies for the dealership to satisfy the needs of the stakeholders
Develop an integrated dealership marketing /business strategy and plan. Ensure each department implements its marketing / business plan
Ensure the Management Information System is used to its optimum for marketing and customer retention
Implement these plans and measure performance
Manage dealership financial performance
Prepare a standard organisational dealership budget. Set dealership performance targets
Measure actual dealership performance against targets and compare to APLs
Take the appropriate corrective action
Understand and quantify the impact of incentive programmes of the manufacturer
Manage financial risk and inventory security
Ensure that Beyond Mobility’s risk management procedures are applied in each department
Ensure that parts and vehicle stock counts are completed

Ensure warranty claims are controlled and monitored
Ensure that departmental debtors are managed
Manage departmental processes to satisfy customer needs
Ensure that the selling processes in each department are clearly communicated and used by people
Ensure that the procurement processes in each department are clearly communicated and used by people
Ensure that the customer order entry and sales administration processes for each department are clearly communicated and used by people

Ensure the financial administration processes are clearly communicated to and used by people
Develop performance standards for each of the departmental processes, to ensure they deliver value to customers and shareholders & are communicated to people
Measure the performance of the processes to ensure they are producing results for customers and shareholders and are communicated to people
Ensure that process-related work is correctly allocated to people to satisfy the needs of their customers and the dealership

Ensure the availability of parts and vehicle inventory to meet customer needs
Ensure the quality of products delivered by each department meets the standards of the franchise
Develop a culture of process analysis and ‘continuous improvement’ in each department.
Ensure each department applies the organisational and manufacturer policies and procedures
Manage the vehicle and parts inventory resource
Ensure that plans are made for longer term vehicle and parts stock requirements
Ensure understanding of floor plan
Ensure used car stock profile policy is implemented. Use trade app system effectively
Ensure parts and vehicle managers produce sales forecasts for their departments
Ensure daily parts and vehicle stock reviews are completed
Ensure the parts and vehicle stock controllers place orders using the correct organisational and franchise procedures
Ensure that parts and vehicles are correctly received into stock
Ensure that sales forecasts are updated correctly
Establish a list of reliable used vehicle suppliers
Establish a list of reliable parts suppliers
Establish a list of reliable trade dealers
Ensure that monthly stock profiles are completed for vehicles and parts
Manage dealership physical resources
Ensure all departmental tools and equipment conforms to, and is maintained to franchise requirements
Ensure the technical information used by each department is kept up to date and available to all people

Ensure an adequate number of workbays, parking bays and departmental space is available
Implement organisational OHS Act requirements in each department
Implement franchise and organisational housekeeping and corporate identity requirements, to instill a sense of pride in each department and provide a good first impression on customers
Ensure that the dealership management information system is maintained to supplier and organisational requirements

Lead the team to develop and maintain positive working relationships and reach objectives
Provide support/guidance to team and deal with general problems on an ongoing basis
Discipline staff where required and in line with organisational policies and procedures

Provide staff with clear performance standards, job profiles and development plans
Conduct employee performance reviews
Ensure all staff are trained and updated on all systems/processes/products and have the necessary skills to perform optimally
Identify the required number of staff to be developed and consider Employment Equity policies in this process

Internal customers

FE; Dealer Management Team; All business units

External stakeholders

Financial Institutions; OEM; Suppliers; Manufacturers

Overview: Essential individual competencies to be successful in the job

Academic qualifications

Related tertiary qualification

Note:
Driver’s License

Work experience
7+ years in a motor retail environment at management level
Experience engaging at executive management level

Knowledge and Skills
Achieving consistent financial performance
Maintaining & developing manufacturer, insurance approvals and generate new business
Company and franchise core standards and procedures
Ability to set and implement strategic plans
Understanding of business benchmarks/targets
Knowledge of the industry and understanding of business benchmarks & targets and the ability to implement plans to achieve these targets
Sound understanding of CSI elements/scoring process
Highly developed persuasive and influencing communication skills
Solid problem solving and communications skills
Critical thinking skills to analyse and diagnose requirements and solve relatively complex problems
Computer, technology and systems

Behavioural Attributes
Commitment to behaving ethically and correctly
Building relationships internally and externally
Remain resilient with stress and pressures
Inspiring leader
Target driven
Concern for corporate governance and legal compliance
A concern for financial goals, results to ensure business viability
Building trusting relationships (staff, customers)
A strong drive to create value for the customer

Level of Decision Making

Level of Problem Solving

Decision making takes operational trends and business plan into account and generates multiple possibilities that involve trade-offs and juggling of multiple variables (budget, people, technology).

Problem solving requires specialist and/or highly technical ideas/concepts.

N.B. (Only candidates that meet the criteria will be shortlisted and contacted)

N.B. (Only candidates with Automotive Industry experience will be considered and contacted for this position)