Area Manager smart France (f/m/d)
Date: 3 Feb 2025
Location: Paris, J, FR
Company: smart Europe
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 the Job:
Super Area Manager will be in charge of developing sales in a defined area and secure high-quality selective distribution in accordance with smart strategy. Will act as a main point of contact for points of sales(agents)and build long-term relationships. Furthermore, it's a position to be fully responsible for generating sales with agents through merchandising, training, sales and excellent account management as well as by implementing marketing initiatives in close cooperation with the country the Head of Sales, CEO and other market functions. Reaching the defined sales targets and KPIs together with the Sales Team is the main objective to be followed.
Your Responsibilities:
Organizational Management
- Communicate and implement smart vision, mission, values and overall direction in your respective area
- Ensure commitment to sales targets of agents in your area
- Secure that company sales long-term, short-term goals and plans are implemented in the area to ensure a sustainable development of the organization
Sales Operations
- Responsible for the planning and monitoring of the predefined new cars sales targets, growth and KPIs on the allocated area
- Developing the existing dealers/agents and new business opportunities in line with a selective distribution strategy in close co-ordination with the CEO, HoS and the team, network,market functions and smart Europe Super Area Manager role will develop sales through independent dealers/agents' locations
- Ensure excellent operations and evolve the digital distribution for smart products while being able to implement new business models
- Secure selective distribution requirements (dealer standards) are fulfilled with all dealers/agents at any time
- Ensure all dealers/agents’ staff receive the latest information, documentation, material and training through own coaching and/or other company training support. If necessary, training smart experts in effective product demonstration, merchandising and basic selling skills.
- Provide sales and ordering forecasts based on area trend, planned campaigns and agents feedback to the local logistic team & HoS
- Propose and initiate local marketing activities in alignment with individual sales targets, achievement gaps and specific campaigns
Management Reporting & Communication
- Daily reporting and analysis (New Cars & Used Cars) by using smart’s defined sales way of working and CRM tool according to best practices and guidelines
- Plan, commit and deliver the forecast for the area in alignment with the Head of Sales, CEO and the Sales Department of smart Europe – be able to work on dedicated plan for dealers/agents using digital levers.
- Prepare and plan dealer/agent visits on the agreed horizon timeline
- Capacity to follow up plans implemented and share internally assessment through structured presentations
- Cooperate proactively with the local market team, Customer Engagement Center and smart Europe in order to optimize process and leverage the business as well as collaborate in local pilot projects
- Hands-on and best practice sharing within the area dealers/agents and the sales team
Representation
- Build long-term strong relationship with key partners and stakeholders and act as a main point of contact to dealers/agents and smart experts at any moment
- Represent the brand in dealers/agents shows, local fairs and any other local event
Your Qualifications:
Education
- Commercial education is required, ideally with a specialization within sales and/or account management in commercial goods prefer in the automotive industry Professional Experience
- 4 years or above experience in automotive (luxury) industry
- Excellence experience in transforming sales targets to action plans and successful results
- Experience in building reports/KPI (via Excel.)
- Proven ability to manage multiple dealers/agents at a time while paying strict attention to detail - Experience in working with online presences of dealer/customers
Knowledge / Functional Expertise
- Familiarity with diverse business functions, such as: Sales, Marketing, Network, Aftersales
- Experience in sales and account management and working towards defined sales targets and KPIs
- 4 years or above of experience from competitive sales cultures and with both small independent dealer/agent and sophisticated multiple location dealer/agent
- Understanding trends in digitalization, automotive direct sales and changes in usage behaviour of automotive customers; ability to adjust to these trends and work in an agile environment
Key Competencies / Soft Skills
- Demonstrable ability to communicate, present and influence key stakeholders at all levels of an organization, including management
- Excellent listening, negotiation and presentation abilities
- Analytical and problem-solving skills
- Excellent communication and public speaking skills; Confident and effective negotiator - able to consistently reach positive outcomes while building positive internal and external relationships
- Able to build consensus and relationships among all the stakeholders
- Understand new proposals/issues/risks quickly and make wise decisions - Inspire confidence, encourage positive working atmosphere and create trust
- Able to be visionary and think strategically - anticipate market developments, innovations as well as challenges, identify business opportunities
- Domestic environment which allows travelling / staying away and occasional weekend work at dealer/agents shows, fairs or PR events is necessary
- Good written and oral communication skills in French, fluent in English other European language is a plus - Valid driving license
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