SSA Dealer Network Manager

SUMMARY:
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POSITION INFO:

REQUIREMENTS

• Affirmative Action South African Citizen preferred
• Post-graduate qualification in Commerce, preferably Business Management, Economics or Marketing
• Minimum 5 years experience at the staff level within the marketing division of a motor company
• Project management experience
• Dealer operations and development-related experience

ESSENTIAL SKILLS

• Strategic and forward-thinking abilities
• Good understanding of legal concepts related to dealer agreements
• Initiative, independence, and excellent problem-solving and conflict-handling skills
• Detailed knowledge of marketing operations
• Strong communication, facilitation and presentation skills
• Ability to generate trust and confidence in dealings with top management at the company and dealer organization
• Ability to interpret dealer financials and projections

ADDED ADVANTAGE

• Strong negotiation skills
• Excellent analytical ability
• Ability to communicate at dealer management level and senior management level
• Effectively manage suppliers
• Computer literacy – MS Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint Advanced
• Experience in the architectural field would be beneficial
• Dealer representation strategy experience would be beneficial

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage strategic activities in the dealer network department
• Ensure a viable and profitable dealer representation and strong brand imaging
• Ensure a correct mix of dealer representation to manage, develop, maintain and control operational activities within dealer development as they relate to dealer representation, facilities, corporate identity, adherence to dealer standards and visual identity programmes
• Help develop and manage the dealer network strategy for the company and its brands in SSA, ensuring dealer presence matches market trends and finding suitable investors for the region
• Conduct dealer and market studies with consultants, manage market representation research to support the dealer network strategy, and oversee dealer applications, appointments, and terminations
• Manage and coordinate the dealer start-up program, overseeing all cross-functional activities for new dealers and ownership changes
• Analyze relevant information to plan a successful dealer network and facilitate dealer mergers and acquisitions
• Oversee dealer activities per the dealer agreement, including trade practices
• Identify and evaluate sites for development or refurbishment, ensure dealer facilities meet needs, and monitor corporate identity compliance
• Facilitate workshops with key stakeholders to align on the dealer standards programme, ensuring it supports company goals and provides a competitive edge
• Manage the development, communication, and promotion of the strategy, gaining commitment from dealers and internal teams
• Manage adherence to corporate identity standards in the dealer network, including stationery, signage, and clothing, to protect brand integrity
• Analyze dealer standards, suggest corrective actions, and oversee their implementation
• Keep the corporate identity manual updated for the dealer network
• Manage supplier relationships to meet the group's quality standards
• Oversee dealer compliance with primary and secondary signage, ensuring alignment with company standards
• Act as the guardian of the company's corporate identity standards for both the dealer network and the company
• Guide dealer network facility designs to meet corporate identity standards, oversee compliance, manage architectural plans, and coordinate suppliers
• Ensure alignment with capacity planning and benchmark CI implementation locally and globally
• Source and appoint preferred suppliers for corporate identity elements (e.g. architects, signage, furniture, stationery) in collaboration with the group
• Develop supplier policies, ensure valid agreements with the legal department, and manage dealer infrastructure, signage, and CI accounts
• Benchmark local and international dealer networks to meet group standards, manage corporate identity suppliers, and oversee the department's budget
• Ensure proper audit documentation and handle sales compliance, including due diligence, audits, and FICA processes