Sales Manager

Minimum Requirements:

• Grade 12 / Matric
• Relevant business/marketing qualification advantageous
• 5–8 years' motor dealership sales experience, including 3–5 years in a management role
• Proven track record of meeting sales and profitability targets
• Experience with a Dealer Management System (DMS)
• Sound understanding of sales, marketing, and customer relationship management
• Computer literacy (MS Office, DMS)
• Strong leadership and customer service orientation

The Sales Manager will 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.

• Provide input into the business and 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.

• Research, analyze and keep up-to-date information on competitors' 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.

• Plan, implement and evaluate sales promotion initiatives.
• Develop, agree on, communicate and implement guidelines for new and pre-owned vehicle pricing policy.
• Plan, manage and implement 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 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 Mercedes-Benz products and accessories.
• Perform a cost/benefit analysis of all marketing campaigns and events.

• 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 effectively in a proactive manner (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…