National Parts Manager

Our client in the truck and trailer industry  based in Pretoria is looking for an experienced National  Parts & Accessories Manager.

Summary:

The ideal candidate will have a history and proven experience in the multi-faceted P&A distribution industry. The candidate will have designed, implemented and managed complex P&A distribution networks for large organizations.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

The ideal candidate will for our purposes be a senior person with at least 10 years’ relevant experience. The ideal candidate will have proven experience in the duties listed below for a medium to large enterprise in South Africa. Minimal of 10 years’ experience is required, but longer experience will be advantageous.

• B.Sc and/or Technical and Engineering Degree/equivalent, minimum of a National Diploma
• A minimum of ten (10) years practice experience in Service departments of the Automobile or Trailer Industries touching Workshops, Spare P&A, Training and Customer Relations.
• Technical skills, knowledge and experience of the retail motor industry.
• Relevant knowledge of trailer or automotive P&A business.
• Knowledge of stock control systems.
• Experience of modern business methods.
• Experience in supply chain management.
• Experience of consumer legislation and trade practices.
• Experience in controlling clerical work, administration, organization and financial matters.
• Proven track record in managing people and systems.
• Contact with distributors, fleet owners, trade outlets, shops selling P&A and accessories.
• Current driving license.
• Computer skills, including experience of operating word processing and database packages, email and internet.

Skills:

• Analytical and problem solving
• Strong people skills
• Time management skills to meet required deadlines
• Ability to work on tasks requiring great attention to detail
• Strong information monitoring skills
• Improve current processes and implement new procedures/policies

Duties:

Strategic:

• Develop and implement a suitable strategy for the aggressive expansion of the P&A function nationally and in Southern Africa. Develops a successful trade P&A operation as part of the Company’s strategy and identifies and pursues new business opportunities.

Footprint expansion:

• Develop and implement a strategy and structure and manage the roll-out plan for the expansion of a National Footprint for P&A Branches in South Africa.

Day-to-day Operations:

• Manage the day to day operations of the P&A department to ensure the achievement of key targets.

Dealer Networking:

• Establish a South African dealer network and export distributor network to form a combination of Company and Alliance/Franchised Dealers. Implement Local P&A Supplier agreements based on supply rate and Ex-Vendor supply until an effective network is established and functioning.

Product Development:

• Analyze and evaluate current products ranges and develop / expand the product offering.

Sales:

• Develop a strategy and managing the roll-out plan for aggressive increasing of the revenue stream on P&A.
• Maintain agreed profit margins and return on investment by selling the maximum amount of P&A to trade and retail customers.
• Analyses sales data to place emphasis on selling the most profitable lines.
• Implements systems to monitor and record lost sales, reviews data and takes appropriate action.
• Ensures opportunities for sales by other teams are followed up by the appropriate colleague.

Inventory Control:

• Responsibility for all inventory management organizations (incoming goods, outgoing goods, storage rack organization, returning of warranty and replacement P&A, inventory). Implement recognized inventory management processes and structure.
• Effectively control inventory across all warehouses.
• Maintains stock levels, purchasing within agreed budgets.
• Proper ordering and monitoring to minimize P&A obsolesce and value loss. Monitors stock overheads and stock values, reporting any which exceed the budget to the Company.
• Ensure an efficient, cost-optimal warehousing, including involvement of logistics service providers where appropriate.

Customer Relationships:

• Build and maintain a close involvement with potential and existing customers on pre-sales.
• Maintain a close working relation with the New Product Sales Director. Investigate and implement Customer supply agreements.
• Resolve customer complaints satisfactory.
• Maintain an efficient P&A service to other departments within the Group.
• Monitors customer activity and amends discounts where necessary.
• Maximizes customer satisfaction at all times and ensures absolute clarity in all customer transactions.
• Takes responsibility for the management of major accounts, identifying how customer service can be further improved.
• Works with colleagues and other teams across the Company to deliver improvements and provide a seamless service to customers. Uses feedback to improve skills and performance of self and the P&A team.

Human Resources:

• Design an effective structure of Human Resources required.
• Establish an effective P&A team from current employees and prospective employees.
• Ensure the P&A team works closely with colleagues in Service, Sales and Administration to deliver outstanding customer service.
• Establish and monitors the team’s training requirements to ensure the required level of skill and expertise is available.
• Implements performance management, coaches and develops the team to improve performance.

Parts & Accessories:

• Investigate and implement alternative sourcing for Non-Competitive P&A pricing. Implement Electronic P&A Catalogue – EPC and change control. Implement and investigate Inbound and Outbound Logistics (Including Replenishment) for both Domestic and Export.
• Develop and possibly implement Maintenance Contracts. Investigate P&A Potential.

Marketing:

• Plan and implement marketing activities (such as telemarketing, direct mailing, price marketing, event marketing) in conjunction with the marketing department.
• Initiate, plan and promote P&A sales events and contributes to the Company’s annual marketing strategy.

Finances:

• Control and meet budgetary spending targets, discuss significant variations. Assist the Company to formulate P&A sales strategy and policy.

General:

• Ensures the P&A team adheres to legal, environmental and health and safety requirements while ensuring the safety and security of people, vehicles and property at all times reporting any known faults or hazards.

Please consider you application unsuccessful if you have not heard back from us within 2 weeks.