- LocationRiyadh, Saudi Arabia
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IndustryAutomotive
Job Title: Managing Director, New Automotive Brand Department: Management
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer, Automotive Group
Job Purpose: The Managing Director is responsible for establishing, operating, and expanding the new automotive brand. This includes strategic planning, performance management, market analysis, financial planning, stakeholder relationship management, and maintaining relationships with the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and financial institutions. The Managing Director will lead and inspire a high-performing team to ensure the brand's success and profitability.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership:
- Developing a Comprehensive Business Strategy:
- Carry out a thorough SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis and use these insights to inform the business strategy.
- Identify the unique selling proposition of the brand and align it with market demands and opportunities. This should reflect the brand's essence, personality, and values.
- Establish a clear vision for the brand's direction in the Saudi Arabian market and define how its offerings will meet the needs and preferences of target customers.
- Use the findings from the market research and SWOT analysis to determine the most effective ways to reach and engage the target customers.
- Regularly Reviewing the Business Strategy:
- Set up regular intervals for reviewing the business strategy (quarterly, bi-annually, or annually). Use these sessions to analyze the brand's performance, assess the changing market dynamics, and identify any emerging trends or changes in consumer behavior.
- Use key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness of the strategy. These could include market share, customer acquisition and retention rates, and sales figures.
- Based on the review, make any necessary adjustments to the strategy to improve performance and ensure it remains aligned with market trends and customer needs.
- Setting Long-Term Goals and Short-Term Objectives:
- Define clear, measurable, and attainable long-term goals that align with the brand's vision and business strategy. These could be related to market share, revenue, customer satisfaction, or brand recognition.
- Break down these long-term goals into smaller, short-term objectives. Each objective should be SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time- bound) and contribute towards achieving the long-term goals.
- Ensure that each department within the organization has specific objectives they are responsible for achieving.
- Communicating the Strategy:
- Develop a clear, concise, and compelling presentation of the business strategy that can be shared with the team, stakeholders, and partners. This should include the vision, strategic objectives, unique selling proposition, and action plans.
- Ensure all team members understand the strategy and their role in its execution. Provide training or workshops if necessary.
- Regularly communicate updates and progress towards the strategic goals to maintain alignment, motivation, and buy-in. Use a variety of communication channels to ensure everyone stays informed.
Operations Management:
- Overseeing All Functional Areas:
- Sales: Direct the sales team to ensure they are meeting their sales targets. Regularly review sales strategies, provide feedback, and suggest improvements. Implement sales training programs to enhance the team's skills and capabilities.
- Marketing: Collaborate with the marketing department to create effective marketing strategies. Ensure marketing initiatives align with the brand's vision and business strategy, and effectively communicate the brand's value proposition to the target customers.
- Customer Service: Supervise the customer service department to ensure they are providing excellent service and resolving customer issues effectively. Implement customer service standards, provide training, and regularly evaluate customer satisfaction.
- Ensuring Operational Efficiency and Effectiveness:
- Continually monitor the performance of each department, identify areas for improvement, and implement necessary changes.
- Employ advanced technology and innovative solutions to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and reduce costs.
- Foster a culture of continuous improvement where each member of the team is encouraged to suggest and implement improvements to operational processes.
- Ensuring Compliance:
- Stay updated with local regulations and industry standards and ensure all operations are in compliance.
- Regularly conduct internal audits to identify any non-compliance issues and take immediate corrective action.
- Ensure the operations are in line with the brand's guidelines and uphold its image and reputation.
- Continuous Improvement of Operational Processes:
- Regularly review and assess operational processes to identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, or areas for improvement.
- Implement process improvements to reduce costs, enhance quality, and improve customer satisfaction. This could involve process re-engineering, adopting new technology, or re-training staff.
- Use key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor the effectiveness of operational processes and measure the impact of process improvements.
Financial Management:
- Budget Development and Management:
- Work with the finance department and other business unit leaders to develop an annual budget that aligns with the brand's strategic objectives. The budget should encompass all revenue and expenditure forecasts across the various departments and strategic initiatives.
- Regularly review and manage the budget, ensuring financial discipline across the organization. Set spending limits for departments and monitor expenditures to prevent budget overruns.
- Monitoring Financial Performance:
- Oversee the financial performance of the brand by closely tracking key financial metrics such as revenue, profits, cash flow, and return on investment.
- Analyze financial reports on a regular basis (monthly, quarterly, and annually) to identify trends, opportunities, and potential challenges.
- Take corrective actions as necessary, such as adjusting budgets, reallocating resources, or revising financial forecasts, to ensure the brand remains on a strong financial footing.
- Financial Risk Management:
- Identify and manage financial risks that could potentially impact the brand's financial health. This may include risks related to currency exchange, interest rates, credit, liquidity, and operational risks.
- Implement risk management strategies such as diversification, hedging, and insurance to mitigate these risks.
- Revenue Optimization and Cost Control:
- Continually look for ways to optimize revenue streams, whether by increasing sales, exploring new market opportunities, or improving pricing strategies.
- Implement effective cost control measures across all operations to ensure efficient use of resources. This may involve streamlining processes, reducing waste, negotiating with suppliers, or leveraging technology to improve efficiency.
- Ensure a healthy balance between cost control and investment for growth.
- Financial Reporting and Compliance:
- Work closely with the finance department to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting. This includes preparing and reviewing income statements, balance sheets, cash flow statements, and other financial reports.
- Ensure compliance with financial regulations and standards, including those related to financial reporting, taxes, and audits.
- Maintain transparency in all financial dealings to uphold the brand's integrity and reputation.
Stakeholder Relations:
External Stakeholder Management
- Relationship Building and Management:
- Initiate, build, and maintain strong relationships with a broad range of stakeholders including Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), local regulators, dealerships, customers, the community, financial institutions, and other strategic partners. Regular communication and meetings should be held to understand their expectations and address their concerns, while also keeping them informed about the brand's strategy, performance, and activities.
- Work closely with the brand's global team, understanding their strategic direction and aligning the local operations with the global vision. This includes frequent interactions, sharing market insights, and discussing strategies for mutual growth.
- Proactively engage with local regulators to ensure adherence to all regulatory requirements, and to stay abreast of any upcoming changes that might impact the business.
- Develop strong relationships with dealerships and support their operations, considering they are a key touchpoint for the brand with its customers.
- Negotiation and Contract Management:
- Negotiate terms and conditions for contracts and agreements with suppliers, dealers, and other strategic partners. These agreements should align with the brand's strategic objectives, financial considerations, and risk tolerance.
- Oversee the implementation and management of these contracts, ensuring all parties fulfill their obligations. Address any issues that arise and renegotiate terms as necessary.
- Brand Representation:
- Act as the face of the brand, representing it at industry events, conferences, media interviews, and other public platforms. Use these opportunities to enhance the brand's visibility, reputation, and relationships with stakeholders.
- Engage with the community through corporate social responsibility initiatives, demonstrating the brand's commitment to the well-being of the society in which it operates.
- Foster strong relationships with financial institutions. Negotiate favorable terms for loans, lines of credit, and other financial services.
Internal Stakeholder Management:
In addition to managing external relationships, the Managing Director must also work closely with internal stakeholders to ensure operational efficiency, policy compliance, and overall organizational health.
- Cross-functional Collaboration and Communication:
- Actively engage with department heads including Finance, Logistics, Accounting, Network, Audit, Treasury, and Legal. Facilitate inter-departmental collaboration to achieve shared goals and objectives.
- Regularly communicate strategic vision, goals, and progress to all departments. Ensure transparency in decision-making processes and solicit input where appropriate.
- Develop an open-door policy, encouraging feedback and innovative ideas from all employees.
- Financial Oversight:
- Collaborate closely with the Finance and Treasury departments to oversee financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting. Review financial performance and devise strategies for cost control and revenue optimization.
- Work with the Accounting department to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting. Align the accounting practices with local regulations and global standards.
- Operational Efficiency and Compliance:
- Partner with the Logistics and Network departments to streamline supply chain processes, optimize inventory management, and ensure timely and efficient distribution of vehicles.
- Engage with the Audit department to conduct regular audits, identify operational inefficiencies or compliance issues, and implement corrective measures.
- Coordinate with the Legal department to understand the legal implications of business decisions, manage legal risks, and ensure compliance with all regulatory and legal requirements.
Team Leadership:
The role of Managing Director comes with the paramount responsibility of guiding, nurturing, and leading a diverse team towards shared objectives. The MD must cultivate an environment that promotes mutual respect, innovation, and excellence.
- Recruitment, Training, and Development:
- Spearhead the process of recruiting top-tier talent that aligns with the company's culture, values, and objectives. This involves defining role specifications, working closely with the HR team during the selection process, and making the final hiring decisions.
- Oversee the onboarding process of new hires to ensure they understand their roles, the company's expectations, and its culture.
- Implement robust training programs to equip team members with the skills and knowledge they need to excel in their roles. This could include technical skills training, leadership development programs, and seminars on industry trends.
- Foster a culture of continuous learning and development. Encourage team members to pursue further education or professional certifications that can enhance their skills and career growth.
- Culture and Performance Management:
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