Automotive Industry Sales Manager Job

Sales Manager (Automotive Industry)
Job CodeSM/MRI
Number of positions open:1
Reports To: :CEO
Location Nairobi, Kenya
Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Summary
Our client designs, manufactures and sells highly functional, highly affordable vehicles as a transportation platform empowering local entrepreneurs to mobilize the developing world. They are an early stage social business working to enable mobility across Africa by transforming its automotive market.

They recognize that appropriate transport is a key enabler to socio-economic development in deprived communities across the developing world and aim to unlock this vast potential by designing, manufacturing and selling a new vehicle for Africa, starting in Kenya.

They are looking for exceptional individuals who share their vision and possess the skills and attitude necessary to make a valuable contribution to their work in Africa.

Primary Responsibilities

• The client is seeking a minimum two year commitment from exceptional mid-career salesprofessional to lead day-to-day sales strategy, research, campaigns and product launches to create the foundation of a future international automotive brand.
• The role will cover sales across Kenya and longer-term potentially the East Africa region. The main function of this role is to coordinate the Sales Officers and local dealer partners in generating vehicle sales and delivering an exceptional customer experience throughout the sales process. They should also be focused on delivering accurate and timely administrative leadership from the initial order process through vehicle delivery and the ownership experience.

Specific duties include, but are not limited to:

Marketing Development

• Support marketing initiatives and drive clear brand messaging to current and future customers
• Collaborate with leadership and future strategy teams to develop and maintain productcategory SWOT analyses; identify market trends, develop and prioritize a profitable product plan to meet consumer needs.
• Support primary and secondary research initiatives that help define market assumptions andconsumer behaviors/profiles
• Support cross-functional teams and outside agencies to develop and lead product go-tomarketstrategy and plan
• Lead plans to implement new innovative sales initiatives and support marketing strategies
• Develop complete understanding of the factors that go into the revenue and cost side of thebusiness opportunity and provide recommendations to maximize revenue

Sales Generation & Administration

• Manage the identification/close of sales and the process for entering sales orders to ensure dataintegrity and accuracy in a timely manner:
• Manage sales team to maintain strong relationships with key strategic customers such aslarge NGOs, government buyers and high potential individual entrepreneurs.
• Develop innovative customer promotions/contests and motivational initiatives to focus onbusiness sales objectives.
• Coordinate Sales Officers to manage and prioritize list of target buyers both with existing customer contact information and newly interested customers from marketing initiatives.
• Identify and evaluate potential local vehicle dealer partners. On-board authorized dealersmaintain regular oversight and support consistent brand messaging within this network.
• Schedule product demonstrations with target customers and deliver a polished, professionaland compelling sales message.
• Work with Sales Officers to follow-up with interested buyers to arrange payment for preorders/sales; support finance team in liaison with relevant financing institutions to connectcustomers to appropriate finance options.
• Ensure consistent and accurate records are kept outlining details of sale. Communicate salestargets and performance within the organization on a periodic basis.

Vehicle Registration, Compliance & Support

• Support the customer to register their vehicle with KRA and obtain an associated license plate:
• Develop full understanding of local compliance and registration requirements and identify anypotential conflicts/issues within organization and with customer.
• Coordinate Sales Officers to create a customer quotation for vehicle sale and issue finalregistration documentation (VIN, configuration, customer invoice).
• Coordinate Sales Officers to confirm all purchase orders match sales data entered (VIN,configuration, customer invoice).
• Verify completeness and accuracy of transaction prior to vehicle release. For direct delivery;coordinate, send and receipt documents and final payment.
• Coordinate and lead comprehensive customer after sales support, working across theorganization to provide a timely and courteous resolution to any problems.
• Vehicle Production Services
• Manage comprehensive vehicle production services throughout sales lifecycle
• Work with Production and Sales & Marketing teams to ensure timely flow of vehicle orders tomeet customer demand requirements and production schedules.
• Manage and develop sales planning documentation and processes to “fulfill” productionplanning requirements.
• Plan and manage vehicle scheduling and production from order, scheduled to build,production, through delivery to Logistics team.
• Ensure vehicle orders are sequenced and built per customer specification, including the“change order” request process.
• Manage vehicle shipping to point where handed over to Logistics team for delivery.

Project Management

• Take ownership of projects; plan milestones, timelines, budgets, resources and identifypotential risks to deliver deliverables within agreed completion dates.
• Be proactive regarding task completion and periodically advise wider team on project status,timing, resources, issues, and ability to deliver on-time with excellence.
• Ensure adherence and compliance to general automotive industry marketing standards andbest practices; maintain structured and versioned data outputs daily and backup data weekly.
• Work as an active member of the team, ensure effective communication between colleaguesand positively contribute regularly to meetings and briefings.
• Experience
• 5-10 years related experience in sales or marketing

Skills & Certifications

• Education from a top university in Kenya with an undergraduate and/or graduate degree; An ideal candidate should combine outstanding technical skills in sales with excellent interpersonal and communication skills to work effectively with a multidisciplinary team;
• They should possess strong skill set in creative and strategic thinking along with excellent perception; wide latitude for independent actions (including independent judgment) and the ability to prioritize multiple tasks and take initiative regularly;
• They should be rigorous, pragmatic and on-the-ground solution focused – not overly academic;
• Ability to lead cross-functionally; coordinating, leading and communicating information clearly;
• Exceptional attention to detail and high quality deliverable outputs;
• Ability to grasp complex concepts and systems quickly, and express them in simple ways; Ability to multi-task in a fast paced environment and to remain graceful under pressure;
• High degree of resourcefulness; looking beyond the normal channels of information to dig out data necessary to understand the market potential of the opportunity;
• Ability to deal with ambiguity and make sense of multiple data sources that may sometimes be contradictory in nature;
• Ability to take ownership and accountability of project timeline and results; Proficiency in Excel, Project, Power Point and Word;
• Strong presentations skills, including excellent oral communication skills; Ability to create a compelling message and persuade others;
• High sense of drive and urgency in achieving our vision; Ability to adapt to a dynamic working environment and work within a diverse team; Extreme patience and a good sense of humor;
• Exceptional written communication skills and with experience in writing compelling messages to a consumer demographic; Excellent interpersonal skills to work effectively with others;
• A start-up personality; entrepreneurial, ambitious, independent, systematic attention to detail, structured thinker, goal-oriented, flexible and able to deal well with setbacks;
• Comfort with extensive travel throughout Kenya and longer term throughout East Africa;
• Valid driver’s license; Kenyan citizenship or permanent residence; Fluency in English and Kiswahili.

Desired

• Master’s degree (or higher) in Business Administration (MBA), Marketing, Sales or similar
• 10-15 years related experience in sales or marketing
• Passion for the automotive industry and social enterprise in Africa

How To Apply:
Interested candidates holding the necessary requirements, good performance and / or references are encouraged to apply with detailed CV’s, inclusive of names and contacts of 3 referees, current telephone number and email address by scrolling down and clicking on:Sales Manager