Branch Manager at Bilnor Staffing Solutions

• Bilnor Staffing Solutions' client in the Automotive sector is seeking a qualified and experienced Branch Manager to join their team in Newcastle, Kwa-Zulu Natal.

Minimum Requirements:

• Grade 12 / Matric
• Relevant tertiary qualification (e.g. Diploma/Degree in Business Management, Marketing, or Financial Management) advantageous
• 5–8 years' experience in a motor dealership sales/operations environment
• At least 3–5 years in a senior management role (Sales Manager, Financial & Insurance Manager, or similar)
• Proven track record of achieving sales, profitability, and market share targets
• Experience with a Dealer Management System (DMS)
• Sound understanding of dealership financial management, budgeting, and P&L accountability
• Strong knowledge of sales and marketing principles within the motor industry

Purpose of Position:

• The Branch Manager is responsible for the Management of the Dealership and the day-to-day running thereof. Plays a major role in a team that ensures efficient management and equitable distribution of all resources. Provides leadership to ensure the achievement of priorities and output of the strategic plan. Ensures that procedures for the safekeeping of all records, documents, assets, and all other relevant information are in place. Motivates the effective utilization and training of staff and maintenance of all the relative procedures that promote sound labour relations.
• Manage the sales business, incorporating all the Dealership's products and services. This will involve attracting and retaining a strong base of satisfied customers by ensuring that a well-motivated and dedicated sales team meets customer expectations while meeting/exceeding the financial objectives of the dealership and its principles.

Roles and Responsibilities / Key Performance Indicators
Essential Duties and Responsibilities — Marketing

• Provide strategic direction and expert advice in the development of multi-disciplinary marketing and communications programmes, policies and strategies.
• Strategically manage marketing and communications according to budgets.
• Develop media planning and buying strategies for marketing and communication programmes.
• Develop and build relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Give guidance and take part in liaison work on major issues.
• Actively participate in the economic cluster and other inter-departmental programmes in development of strategies and other communication programmes.
• Project manages the annual reports.
• Provide input into business planning process, specifically with regard to volume planning and profitability.
• Define the market goals for new and pre-owned vehicle sales.
• Develop the annual sales plan including the identification of methods to increase turnover and profitability.
• Identify investment in equipment required to achieve sales plan and motivate the investment to the company management.
• Compile resources planning for new and pre-owned vehicle inventory and identify methods to optimize inventory management.

Conduct market research and competitor analysis

• Research, analyse and keep up-to-date information on competitor's prices in the new and pre-owned vehicle business.
• Ensure that knowledge is up-to-date on the dealership's market share and initiate corrective action when required.
• Ensure that knowledge is up-to-date on trends in the regional automobile market.
• Ensure that all members of the sales team have access to up-to-date and relevant market research and competitor information.

Develop and implement marketing initiatives

• Planned, implemented, and evaluated sales promotion initiatives.
• Develop, agree on, communicate and implement guidelines for new and pre-owned vehicle pricing policy.
• Planned, managed, and implemented media advertising campaigns.
• Plan, manage, and implement direct marketing activities and events.
• Plan, manage, and implement customer loyalty initiatives.
• Provide input into the development of the communications budget.
• Oversee the appropriate seasonal design of the showroom and ensure it complies with the relevant standards.
• Ensure that all vehicles and display vehicles have the relevant fittings and that accessories are presented correctly.
• Identify and implement opportunities for partners to present the appropriate Company products and accessories.
• Perform a cost/benefit analysis of all marketing campaigns and events.

Manage customer relationships and customer satisfaction

• Identify market area and assign customer groups and/or market areas to relevant members of the sales team.
• Develop and maintain relationships with direct beneficial contacts and spokespeople and ensure access to key stakeholders/decision makers within the existing and potential corporate client base (in agreement with marketing and company management).
• Ensure consistent utilization of all customer contacts in an effective and efficient manner.
• Plan and manage the implementation of customer surveys and other measures to assess levels of customer satisfaction.
• Ensure that all customer queries and/or complaints are dealt with efficiently and proactively (as well as part of the escalation process).
• Observe and measure the level of customer service provided by the sales team through the use of appropriate tools.
• Proactively identify sources of customer dissatisfaction and trends in feedback received from customers.
• Develop measures for maintaining and increasing levels of customer satisfaction.
• Identify and suggest methods to improve the organisation's level of customer satisfaction.
• Ensure that all customers experience high levels of post-sale customer service.

Implement the Sales Plan

• Determine trade-in prices or clear targets for evaluating pre-owned vehicles.
• Ensure the appropriate repairs and reconditions are carried out on traded-in pre-owned vehicles.
• Ensure that pre-owned vehicles are presented in a manner that actively promotes sales.
• Consistently monitor and adjust prices of pre-owned vehicles.
• Monitor return lists from fleet business/leasing.

Manage Finance, Administration, and Reporting

• Monitor and control costs associated with the management and operations of the sales department.
• Monitor and evaluate the financial preliminary and actual costing of all business generated by the sales team.
• Analyse the profitability of key customers and customer groups to ensure their profitability.
• Monitor and evaluate budgets and defined profit goals and objectives and implement corrective action where required.
• Accept responsibility for all relevant sales management reporting.

Organisation Development

• Manage the development, implementation and maintenance of organisational policies and procedures.
• Organisational development, including induction.
• Overall control of the budget of the office.
• Keep and maintain up-to-date financial reports for the office.
• Manage the overall deployment and utilization of human resources in the office.
• Ensure the implementation of HR Policies.
• Ensure the maintenance of office systems and resources.
• Assist with the development, implementation and maintenance of relevant policies and procedures.
• Take overall responsibility for management and supervision of admin personnel in the office.

Conduct resource planning, management and development

• Provide input into the identification of human resource requirements and support company management in interviewing and selecting new staff members.
• Recruit and select new members of the sales team and develop an appropriate induction programme.
• Manage, coach and motivate members of the sales team.
• Define and agree on targets within individual members of the sales team.
• Monitor individual performance against targets and implement and agree on corrective measures where required (initiate disciplinary measures and conduct regular employee discussions).
• Oversee the development of direct reports to maximise individual performance, assist in career development and inform the organisation's succession plan.
• Identify individual training needs of sales team and ensure that specialist training is available when required.
• Encourage team members to make suggestions for organisational improvement and implement ideas where appropriate.
• Ensure that sound internal financial controls are developed and implemented throughout the organisation.
• Ensure that the organisation's assets and financial records are safeguarded.
• Ensure that the organisation's cash flow, investments and working capital are managed.
• Manage the budget control expenditure.
• Ensure that monthly management accounts, state of the business report and statistical reports are compiled and analysed.
• Ensure that financial and accounting policies and procedures are developed and adhered to.
• Manage and control all aspects.

Financial

• Supervise and control all aspects of payments.
• Control budget planning and expenditure control.
• Ensure all statutory measures applicable are complied with.
• Implement an effective system of internal control.
• Supervise salaries and wages for permanent and temporary staff payroll with the accountant.

Communication

• Assist in ensuring an effective flow of information through communication strategies to promote positive inter-departmental relations.
• Organise and manage the arrangements of events such as information sessions, year-end functions, public service and casual days.
• Assist in drafting of policies pertaining to internal communication.
• Ensure that the corporate image of the department is enhanced at both Head Office and Regional Offices.
• Provide strategic policy direction and coordinate strategic HR initiatives.
• Ensure that the capacity and organisational arrangements are continuously enhanced, including the implementation of human resources and skills development strategies.
• Manage internal HR Management and Auxiliary Support Services.
• Provide leadership on workplace transformation and reform programmes.

Information Technology

• Promote and manage effective Information Management and Information Technology as a strategic resource.
• Establish an information technology plan and operational plans to give effect to the strategic direction and management plans with Stucky Solutions (Pty) Ltd.
• Create an enabling environment for other managers to perform their functions more effectively and efficiently by facilitating the implementation of and adherence to the policies and strategies as contained in the different plans, policies, etc.
• Responsible for ensuring development and training of the staff in relevant information technology matters.

Human Resource Management

• Provide skilled labour relations services, i.e. training, discipline management and dispute management, and provide strategic and operational leadership.
• Answer and resolve complex and sensitive matters with regard to Labour Relations.
• Mentor, support and ensure development of specialists.
• Manage resources in terms of applicable frameworks.
• Advise the management team on all Labour Relations matters.
• Assist in the development and implementation of Labour Relations guidelines/policies.
• Coordinate the Company in arbitration and conciliation.
• Promote sound labour practices and discipline within the Company.