Branch Manager

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

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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…