The Role
Lead a high-volume, multi-franchise dealership with full accountability for sales, service, parts, financial performance, customer satisfaction, compliance, and profitability. Develop tactical strategies, grow sales and corporate business, oversee aftersales operations, manage manufacturer relationships, and lead department heads. The role requires strong commercial, financial, governance, customer service, and people-management capabilities, along with extensive motor industry management experience.
Summary Generated by Built In
The Opportunity
Our client, a well-established motor group, is looking for an experienced Dealer Principal to lead its high-volume multi-franchise dealership in Witbank (eMalahleni). This is a senior leadership role with full accountability for the dealership, from new and pre-owned vehicle sales and associated products through to service and parts.
You will set and drive the tactical strategy and delivery plans across every department, with a clear focus on operational efficiency, customer satisfaction and dealership profitability, while meeting the standards of each manufacturer and distributor represented on the floor.
Key Responsibilities Include
Strategy and financial performance
• Develop and execute tactical strategies and delivery plans across all dealership functions.
• Manage, monitor and report on sales and financial performance.
• Drive achievement and improvement of financial results in line with agreed budgets.
• Grow turnover and unit volumes while improving overall profitability.
• Manage dealership assets effectively and responsibly.
Sales and marketing
• Develop and execute marketing strategies and initiatives aligned with group objectives.
• Ensure effective use of CRM and sales activity management systems.
• Build retail, fleet and corporate business in the local market.
Aftersales
• Oversee service and parts operations to drive workshop productivity, retention and profitability.
Manufacturer, distributor and governance
• Ensure compliance with the requirements and standards of every franchise represented.
• Maintain strong working relationships with manufacturer and distributor representatives.
• Uphold governance, risk and compliance requirements across the dealership.
• Protect and uphold the company’s image, brand and reputation at all times.
Customers and people
• Support the resolution of customer queries to ensure high levels of satisfaction and retention.
• Develop and maintain sustainable customer relationships that promote service excellence.
• Lead, develop and hold department heads accountable across sales, service and parts.
Requirements
Minimum Requirements
• Matric / Grade 12.
• Minimum 10 years’ motor industry experience at management level.
• Strong understanding of sales, service and parts operations within a dealership.
• In-depth knowledge of manufacturer and distributor requirements.
• Strong business and financial acumen, with the ability to make sound commercial decisions.
• Proven leadership and people management skills.
• Knowledge of governance, risk and compliance requirements.
• Advanced computer literacy and dealership systems experience.
• Valid driver’s licence.
Advantageous
• A relevant tertiary qualification.
• Experience running a multi-franchise dealership.
• Previous Dealer Principal or General Manager experience.
• Fleet, mining or corporate client networks in the Mpumalanga Highveld.
The Ideal Candidate
• A strongly process-driven leader who sets clear standards and follows through.
• Commercially sharp, numbers-focused and accountable for results.
• Customer-centric, with a hands-on presence on the dealership floor.
• Able to balance the demands of several brands, departments and stakeholders.
Skills Required
- Matric / Grade 12
- Minimum 10 years of motor industry experience at management level
- Strong understanding of dealership sales, service, and parts operations
- In-depth knowledge of manufacturer and distributor requirements
- Strong business and financial acumen with sound commercial decision-making ability
- Proven leadership and people management skills
- Knowledge of governance, risk, and compliance requirements
- Advanced computer literacy and dealership systems experience
- Valid driver's licence
- Relevant tertiary qualification
- Experience running a multi-franchise dealership
- Previous Dealer Principal or General Manager experience
- Fleet, mining, or corporate client networks in the Mpumalanga Highveld
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The Company
What We Do
Advius Group helps CEOs, CHROs, and C-suite members build executive teams that perform as an integrated system. They combine executive search with a structured integration program to accelerate time-to-impact and de-risk leadership transitions.
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