Manager Fleet Sales smart UK (f/m/d)

We are the brand for forward-thinkers. We celebrate challenging conventions and shaping the future of electric mobility. We focus on the essentials to bring perfection to customers. We make urban life more enjoyable and entertain our customers with new impulses.

Ever since smart exists, we rewrite the automotive industry’s rulebook. In the 1990s, we undermined the predominant philosophy of ‘bigger is better’ and designed a revolutionary car. Since 2020 we are the first car enterprise that switched to 100% electric! We aim to transform into a leading player in urban premium, electric & connected mobility provider.

Are you a forward thinker too? Then join us now!

Objective of job

The automotive world is changing significantly and the smart brand is at the forefront of this change with our all electric range and direct to consumer operation in the UK. This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic, forward thinking team.

The Head of Fleet  will lead the UK fleet and business sales strategy for smart, driving volume, profitability, and brand growth across corporate, SME, leasing, and public sector channels. The role includes end-to-end lifecycle value management, including residual value (RV) strategy, used vehicle operations, and remarketing performance, ensuring long-term profitability and competitiveness in a rapidly evolving EV market.



Job designation

• Define and execute the UK fleet sales strategy aligned with global and European objectives
• Deliver volume, profitability and market share targets across:
• Corporate fleets
• Leasing & contract hire companies
• SMEs and salary sacrifice schemes
• Public sector and government tenders.
• Set fleet pricing, discount structures, and tactical campaigns
• Build and manage relationships with key accounts and major leasing partners
• Responsibility for sales and ordering forecasts for fleet channels
• Collaborate with retail team to balance fleet vs retail mix to protect brand positioning and profitability
• Work closely with marketing on fleet propositions and EV positioning
  
  
  

Residual Value Management

• Own and optimise residual value strategy across all models
• Manage relationships with RV setters to maximise residual values for the smart product, including lease company asset managers. Support ongoing relationship, including supply of product updates and used car transaction prices.
• Track RV performance, identify issues and recommend appropriate actions to improve & Align RV strategy with pricing, incentives, and supply to protect brand value

Remarketing (End of lease)

• Lead discussions with our funding partner to maximise disposal of end of lease vehicles through the smart network. Deliver very high level retention of PCP cars within the network in particular.
• Establish remarketing platform for end of lease vehicles from other leasing companies to be retained within the smart network as a priority. Proactively design and manage the flow of vehicles on to this platform.
• Work alongside Fleet Manager to develop a comprehensive remarketing strategy and proactively approach lease companies with this during initial sales negotiations.
• Engage with all stakeholders to ensure high take up of remarketing platform vs disposal through broader auctions
• Manage the remarketing of smart UK’s own fleet (including employee car scheme) to maximise residual values.
  
  
  

Used Car Retail Programmes

• Develop a Certified Pre-Owned programme for the smart retailer network to maximise used car values and deliver profitability for retailers.
• Support retailers with development of CPO tools and marketing initiatives
• Work with European team to ensure UK tailored programmes are developed and rolled out
• Manage relationship with provider of data for online customer trade in valuation tool and ensure values are set are an appropriate level
• Proactively monitor health of used car market (volume, stock, margins) to pre-empt any RV issues
  
  
  

Network & Stakeholder Management

• Lead and support smart network on fleet sales strategy and execution
• Ensure alignment between smart UK, Network and leasing partners
• Collaborate cross-functionally (retail, finance, marketing, supply/logistics, product)
• Position smart as a leader in electric fleet mobility
  
  
  

Team Leadership and collaboration

• Lead smart UK fleet team to ensure objectives are met, building a positive culture of collaboration and “can do” attitude.
• Set clear KPIs across sales, RV performance, and used car profitability
• Foster a data-driven, commercially focused culture and team.
• Inspire confidence, encourage a positive working atmosphere and create trust
  
  
  

Qualifications

Education

• Educated to degree level (preferably in a commercial or technical area) and/or high level of relevant experience

Professional Experience

• Extensive experience in the automotive industry in general, with strong experience of Fleet leadership.
• Strong understanding of the leasing market and end of life remarketing, and used car operations.
• Experience of leading (or contributing to) Residual Value management

Knowledge / Functional Expertise

• Deep understanding of UK fleet market and leasing landscape.
• Experience with EV products and electrification  strategies
• Thorough understanding of residual values and a high level of expertise in working with used car valuation tools (eg Futures / Black book)
• Excellent knowledge of the used car market and operations, particularly for 2-4 year old vehicles within official OEM retailer channels. Ability to engage with retailers and inspire confidence in this area
• Good working knowledge of used car finance products, extended warranty programmes and other used car marketing tools
• Good awareness of the latest developemts in the leasing and used car markets.

Team Leadership and collaboration

• Lead smart UK fleet team to ensure objectives are met, building a positive culture of collaboration and “can do” attitude.
• Set clear KPIs across sales, RV performance, and used car profitability
• Foster a data-driven, commercially focused culture and team.
• Inspire confidence, encourage a positive working atmosphere and create trust

Key Competencies / Soft Skills

• Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills
• Proactive in seeking to engage with key stakeholders and forging new relationships
• Ability to deal with multiple stakeholders across a diverse landscape.
• Creative in mastering challenges and achieving ambitious objectives.
• Pragmatic in approach and willing to work beyond traditional role boundaries in a lean environment. Strong team player.
• Analytical abilities and problem-solving skills
• Good written and oral communication skills in English

We're building a workplace where amazing people like you can do their best work. Together with us, you enjoy the agile working atmosphere with cross-European responsibilities.
 
We're creating a culture where personal and professional growth are as important as business growth. Together with us, you will build a diverse and inclusive environment where you feel you belong to.
 
We empower you to have ownership over work