Business Development Manager (BDM) - Kia South Africa (Pty) Ltd - Kia Importer Head Office

The Business Development Manager is responsible for driving vehicle sales performance, dealer network development, and market share growth within their assigned region. This role focuses on managing dealer relationships, ensuring sales targets are met, and optimizing the retail and fleet sales strategy in alignment with Kia South Africa’s business objectives.

This is a middle management position that requires a strategic approach to regional sales growth, identifying opportunities for volume and profitability, and ensuring dealer performance meets brand standards. The role also involves analysing market trends, implementing regional sales initiatives, and providing actionable insights to improve dealer operations.

Key Areas of Responsibility:

• Achieve and exceed regional vehicle sales targets across retail, fleet, and pre-owned segments.
• Monitor and analyse dealer sales performance, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
• Drive execution of Kia campaigns, Variable Margin programs, and retail promotions within the dealer network.
• Review monthly sales performance against targets and implement corrective action where necessary.
• Manage and optimize dealer stock levels, mix, and turnover to maximize sales opportunities.
• Oversee dealer demo fleet profile, ensuring alignment with company policy and sales strategy.
• Evaluate dealer marketing plans, lead management processes, and sales forecasting accuracy.
• Provide dealers with actionable insights and strategies to enhance sales performance and market share.

Process and Governance:

• Ensure all dealerships operate in compliance with Kia SA’s governance and regulatory frameworks.
• Validate dealer rebate claims and facilitate accurate credit processing.
• Conduct audits on dealer online presence, showroom facilities, and brand representation, ensuring adherence to Kia’s corporate identity and operational standards.
• Ensure all relevant dealer staff are listed on Autoline and KDCS for training purposes.
• Identify and resolve operational challenges within the dealer network, escalating unresolved issues where necessary.
• Record and report dealer performance insights to support strategic decision-making.

Client/Customer

• Build and maintain strong relationships with dealer principals and sales teams.
• Champion initiatives that improve dealership profitability and sustainability.
• Support dealers in implementing best practices for lead conversion, customer experience, and aftersales engagement.
• Minimize financial risk by proactively managing at-risk dealers and identifying early warning indicators.
• Work closely with internal stakeholders to optimize dealer support structures and enhance overall business performance.

People

• Support dealer teams through training, coaching, and continuous engagement to improve sales effectiveness.
• Actively participate in learning initiatives to enhance industry knowledge and leadership skills.
• Embody and promote Kia SA’s core values, driving a high-performance culture.
• Stay informed on industry trends, competitor activity, and market shifts to maintain a competitive edge.

Qualifications and experience required

• A Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or related field, along with at least five years of experience in sales, marketing or business development, is usually required for this position.
• Relevant tertiary or managerial qualification with at least 5 years’ experience as a Customer Service/ Sales Manager
• Experience in the automotive industry in an equivalent role will be advantageous
• Degree/Diploma/Higher Certificate with a minimum of NQF Level 7
• Driver's Licence (substantial amount of travel required.
• Intermediate Excel knowledge

Key Skills and Attributes required

• Decision-making and working with numbers
• Experience in collecting and analysing data for delivering optimum business results
• Management, organisation and leadership skills
• Multi-tasking and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks
• Highly organized and detail-oriented
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work in a complex multi-faceted and fast paced organization
• Ability to work well under pressure
• Process and technology oriented
• Demonstrated leadership skills: Influence, drive for results, effective planning / prioritization, project management & collaboration