Dealer Management System; DMS Subject Matter Expert

Position: Dealer Management System (DMS) Subject Matter Expert
Dealer Management System (DMS) Subject Matter Expert
Engagement Type: Contract
Location: Greater Chicago Area preferred (remote acceptable with travel)
Travel: Occasional travel to client site required
Role Overview
A leading RV Distributor, in partnership with client, is undertaking a major modernization of its Dealer Management System (DMS) platform. We are seeking a senior, hands-on Dealer Management System Subject Matter Expert (SME) to work embedded within the Wipro delivery and architecture teams during the Discovery and Blueprinting phases.
This role carries formal decision authority. The DMS SME will be accountable for validating, challenging, and signing off on module-level Build / Buy / Hybrid recommendations across an end-to-end DMS landscape, ensuring decisions are grounded in industry best practices, regulatory realities, and long-term scalability.
This is not an advisory-only role. The successful candidate will operate as a trusted authority across our Client's leadership, Wipro solution teams, and executive stakeholders. Key Responsibilities
DMS Strategy & Decision Ownership

• Act as the embedded DMS authority within Wipro-led discovery and design teams.
• Provide formal sign-off on module-level Build / Buy / Hybrid decisions across the full DMS footprint.
• Ensure decisions align to a build-first strategy, with selective buy decisions driven by regulatory, compliance, or commoditized capabilities (e.g., tax engines, statutory reporting).

Fit-Gap & Architecture Validation

• Validate and challenge client's fit/gap assessments across all DMS modules.
• Ensure functional and technical recommendations reflect real-world dealer operations, not just system capabilities.
• Identify over-customization risks and highlight areas where buying or configuring packaged solutions is strategically justified.

Vendor & Capability Evaluation

• Lead or support vendor capability comparisons where Buy or Buy+Configure options are considered.
• Assess trade-offs across cost, complexity, compliance risk, scalability, and long-term ownership.
• Clearly articulate and defend recommendations to both technical and executive audiences.

Executive & Governance Support

• Validate (not author) executive-ready decision decks and POVs produced by the broader team.
• Participate in ongoing sign-off checkpoints during Discovery and Blueprinting.
• Engage directly with:
  • Client business leadership
  • Client IT and Architecture
  • Wipro solution and delivery leadership
  • Steering Committee and executive sponsors

Scope of Responsibility (End-to-End DMS)
The SME is expected to bring credible, hands-on experience across the full dealer lifecycle, including but not limited to:

• Sales, Digital Retailing, CRM, F&I / Desking
• Inventory & Unit Lifecycle Management
• Service, Parts, Warranty Operations
• Dealer Accounting, Finance, and Compliance
• Reporting, Analytics, and Integrations

Ways of Working

• Engagement model: Fully embedded with Wipro delivery teams
• Cadence: Daily collaboration
• Time allocation:
  • ~20% client-facing workshops
  • ~80% working sessions with delivery, architecture, and functional teams
• Location:
  • Greater Chicago Area strongly preferred
  • Remote acceptable with periodic onsite travel to client locations

Required Experience & Profile
Core Requirements

• 15+ years of experience working with Dealer Management Systems in large dealer network environments.
• Strong automotive retail background (RV industry experience is a plus; heavy equipment experiences acceptable but not required).
• Proven experience making and defending Build vs Buy decisions in complex, regulated domains.
• Deep understanding of:
  • Dealer operations
  • Compliance-driven modules (e.g., tax, statutory reporting)
  • Scaled, multi-location dealer environments

Ideal Background

• Former or current:
  • DMS product leader
  • Dealer group CIO / CTO / VP IT
  • Principal or Partner-level industry consultant
• Comfortable operating at both:
  • Deep working-session level with architects and functional SMEs
  • Executive level with business and IT leadership

Success Criteria (What Good Looks Like)
Within the first 30 60 days, the DMS SME will have:

• Clearly validated and signed off on module-level Build / Buy / Hybrid decisions
• Helped the program avoid:
  • Over-customization in compliance-heavy domains
  • Under specified build decisions in differentiating capabilities
• Earned trust as the final authority on DMS design choices across stakeholders

Diverse Lynx LLC is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive due consideration for employment without any discrimination. All applicants will be evaluated solely on the basis of their ability, competence and their proven capability to perform the functions outlined in the corresponding role. We promote and support a diverse workforce across all levels in the company.