Talon Recruiting has partnered with a world-class manufacturer of diesel engines in search of a Dealer Development Manager to join their team in Lincolnshire, IL.

Job Description Summary
The Dealer Development Manager (DDM) will work collaboratively with Distributors and dealers to create a sustainable Dealer Development Department at company headquarters. The DDM is responsible for the creation and execution of a 1-3 year internal strategic plan and performance metrics. The plan will focus on the development and execution of a comprehensive blueprint for internal processes, procedures and workflows. This position will also be responsible for the Distributor KPI program. This position will over time grow the department into an outward facing Dealer Network Development program. The DDM is the professional liaison between the company and our distributors.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Create a strategic 3-year plan for the Dealer Development Department by identifying opportunities and best practices in process and workflows.
• Following the strategic plan consult upper management on dealer development responsibilities and functions and establish a new dealer development department.
• Responsible for dealer onboarding contract process and ongoing account maintenance and dealer master list while driving improvements in each according to the strategic plan deliverables.
• Implement and execute new or revised initiatives that align with 3 year plan and strategies to include improvements to dealer onboarding, distributor and dealer technician development, network systems education and utilization, and process adoption.
• Responsible for executing and tracking current annual distributor KPI program.
• Develop innovative ideas that will result in incremental or dramatic improvement in all areas of responsibilities
• Identify training opportunities for Dealer Development Department.
• Create and own all process documentation and process following ISO-9001 standards
• Bring Department into ISO compliance.
• Create process and documentation for department operations.
• Working with parts business development, identify best in class part inventory strategy to improve inventory turns and minimize time down for repairs.
• Lead with emotional intelligence, understands communication style differences and leverages abilities to create and maintain a fully engaged staff
• Responsible for staffing, conducting performance appraisals, addressing employee complaints and resolving employee problems.
• Establish work procedures and processes that support company and departmental standards, procedures, and strategic directives
• Establishes and communicates a training plan for staff to maintain an up-to date training force
• Prepare and manage department budget
• Create and maintain a high-quality work environment so staff is motivated to perform at their highest level
• Develop and maintain a team effort within the department that is customer focused
• Communicate, organize, and maintain confidential information and material
• Follow safety guidelines and department and corporate policies and procedures
• Maintain an organized and secure work environment

Job Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to be proactive and utilize independent thinking decisively to quickly address concerns and provide logical solutions
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills demonstrated by the ability to resolve conflicts, develop appropriate solutions to problems, and develop and maintain mutually beneficial relationships with customers and co-workers
• Ability to multi-task, establish priorities and meet deadlines, maintain a flexible attitude and approach towards assignments, and maintain level of organization in a changing and fast paced environment
• Strong problem solving and discernment skills for various decisions such as addressing highly complex customer issues.
• Excellent analytical skills
• Ability to develop and recommend strategic plans, annual budgets, and technology improvements
• Personnel management skills in planning, assigning, directing work, coaching and mentoring for development
• Ability to meet ISO-90001 requirements
• Strong command of the English language, both written and verbal
• Ability to comprehend a variety of instructions, both oral and written
• Ability to communicate in a professional manner with top managers
• Ability to be tactful and diplomatic in challenging situations
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality
• Excellent presentation as well as oral and written communication skills
• Intermediate knowledge of word processing and presentation applications and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet applications
• Working knowledge of SAP and professional use of Excel.
• Ability to travel approximately 25% of the time in the early department creation phase with the possibility of increasing travel to 50% as the department strategy is implemented, possibly with last-minute notice; limited travel internationally.

Education and Training

• Bachelor’s degree in Business with 5 years related experience, or
• 10+ years’ in Distributor B2B and dealer service development business structure.
• Six Sigma Black Belt Preferred

Compensation:

• Competitive salary, plus bonus
• Paid holidays, vacation & sick time off
• Full benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, life, & disability
• 401k