Job overview:

With over a century of lineage, Aston Martin is an automotive icon, a marque synonymous with high-end luxury, racing and authentic craftsmanship. Alongside these core values comes passion for the brand, our rich heritage and the cars we produce today. This passion is shared by every member of our team. The Senior Manager Retail Network Development will be responsible for supporting our transformation and ambitious goals for profitability by delivering a network plan to ensure our dealer network is reflective of Aston Martin’s goals and plans.  This role is a hybrid role based out of the Company’s headquarters office.

Job Purpose:

The suitable candidate for this role must have a strategic mindset combined with strong business acumen and a thorough understanding of the retail automotive business across many facets: operational process management for sales and aftersales, dealer operating standards, facility planning and an understanding of dealership financials, (P&L & balance sheet). A keen eye for detail is essential as is a fantastic can-do attitude. The successful candidate will deliver an improvement in dealer capability, network coverage and representation in the Americas. The successful candidate will have an understanding of the competitive landscape in the ultra-luxury automotive sector in the Americas and will be able to develop and maintain strong relationships with the dealer principals in the current dealer network and with operators of other franchises in the ultra-luxury automotive sector.  The ideal person will become part of a busy team managing multiple projects and deadlines.

Key Responsibilities & Tasks:

• Set a strategic direction for network transformation to support the dealer network transformation plan across the region based on market data & demographics, location of HNW households, drive times, optimal dealer locations considering presence of competition, other luxury brands
• Research the current Americas market representation plus current open point locations within the strategic framework and identify potential candidates and commercial opportunities.
• Manage the Americas regional network development and dealer headcount developing, terminating and where necessary recruiting dealers who in turn invest in the infrastructure in line with our Retail Design Guidelines and our Dealer Operating Standards.
• Research and prospecting of the local market to identify a shortlist of suitable candidates who meet key criteria from both an operational and liquidity viewpoint. Interview and assess suitable candidates, creating a recommendation that is supported by relevant data for further consideration.
• Prepare formal recommendations for approval regarding appointment of dealers in the Americas region.
• In collaboration with the Company’s General Counsel, prepare legal documentation (including dealer agreements, performance communications, and buyers’ assistance agreements, etc.)
• Project management of dealer appointment process to include development of facility plan, execution of facility development, staff recruitment, training, initial stock order, logistics, Dealer Operating Standards review, budgets, marketing plan and suitable launch activity. Ensure smooth handover to Regional Management team.
• Conduct commercial reviews of the Americas network identifying Strategic and Operational concerns, formulate plans and work with the regional management team to develop the network as appropriate.
• Regular meetings with AML management with a view to creating a feedback mechanism across multiple identified issues in the network that will assist with training, development, AML business communication across the full spectrum of retail operations sales, service, parts, bodyshop, marketing and financial development.
• Provide strategic guidance to AMTA leadership regarding dealer network strengths and weaknesses and work with AMTA Network Committee to track progress toward dealership transformation objectives.

Qualification & Experience:

The successful applicant will have a degree in Business Management or related discipline. An interest in the ultra luxury sports car market is also desirable. The ability to interact and communicate from Boardroom level is essential as is the ability to communicate at all levels within a retail dealership showing high levels of operational understanding.

• High attention to detail
• Self-motivated
• Excellent coaching skills
• Ability to prioritise effectively and multi-task

Skills and Abilities

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills – Essential
• Thorough understanding of both sales and aftersales business and dealership profitability
• Ability to use IT to a high level of competence - Essential
• Ability to think strategically and to communicate a vision. - Essential
• Experience of successfully managing and coaching teams - growing a customer focused, “can-do” culture of teamwork - Essential
• Experience of successfully managing and influencing organisational change - Essential
• Project management skills
• Ability to work as part of a team

Experience and Knowledge

• Previous experience of working at a management level Manufacturer / Importer - Essential
• Current knowledge of key issues effecting the Automotive sector- Essential
• A thorough understanding of Automotive Retail operations and training - Essential
• A strong track record of building productive partnerships - Essential

Personal Qualities

• An ability to think laterally and solve problems in a creative fashion - Essential
• Team player with an innovative approach to problem solving - Essential

GRADE: SM 

Belong at Aston Martin

We understand that the incredible beauty, craft, and art that defines an Aston Martin comes from the inclusion of our amazing people.

We welcome the unique contributions that you can bring in terms of your education, opinions, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, colour, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and beliefs.  We celebrate diversity and are seeking applicants who can bring something different. 

Please speak to us if there is anything you need to support making an application with us.

The post holder will be required to comply with all policies and procedures issued by and on behalf of Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd