District Sales Manager #4

KIA Motors Group; Downers Grove (IL); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 121,000; Full time

Job summary

Kia Motors Group in the United States is seeking a District Sales Manager to oversee the retail performance of Kia Dealers and support wholesale objectives. This role guides dealer advertising, training, showroom standards, and market representation to ensure a strong brand image and profitable operations.

You will travel domestically (and potentially internationally) to visit dealers, develop action plans, monitor performance, and lead district meetings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 2 years OEM/Automotive retail and wholesale experience.
• Business consulting experience beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Achieve retail and wholesale objectives through dealer coordination.
• Lead district sales activities per corporate standards and programs.
• Consult with dealers to improve profitability and customer satisfaction.
• Ensure dealers maintain Kia brand and showroom standards.
• Develop and implement dealer sales promotions and advertising.
• Monitor dealer performance and conduct training.

Skills

Strong presentation skills

Negotiation skills

Excellent communication

Organizational skills

Windows-based computer skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

CRM systems

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

At Kia, we’re creating award-winning products and redefining what value means in the automotive industry. It takes a special group of individuals to do what we do, and we do it together. Our culture is fast-paced, collaborative, and innovative. Our people thrive on thinking differently and challenging the status quo. We are creating something special here, a culture of learning and opportunity, where you can help Kia achieve big things and most importantly, feel passionate and connected to your work every day.

Kia provides team members with competitive benefits including premium paid medical, dental and vision coverage for you and your dependents, 401(k) plan matching of 100% up to 6% of the salary deferral, and paid time off. Kia also offers company lease and purchase programs, company-wide holiday shutdown, paid volunteer hours, and premium lifestyle amenities at our corporate campus in Irvine, California.

Status

Exempt

General Summary

This role provides dealership consulting and support to improve the sales customer experience and Dealership profitability. The District Sales Manager is responsible for overseeing the successful retail performance of their Dealers, as well as achieving company wholesale objectives. The DSM will ensure Dealers are adhering to KUS sales and marketing policies, procedures, and operating standards. He/she is also responsible for supporting Dealer advertising and marketing to ensure adequate market share and penetration. The DSM supports the Dealers’ sales personnel training and product knowledge in order to maximize sales and customer experience. The DSM will ensure its Dealers are portraying a consistent, high-quality image in the marketplace, properly utilizing, and displaying Kia Dealership identification, point-of-sale materials, and Kia vehicle inventory. The DSM is responsible for ensuring Dealerships are sufficiently capitalized and maintain adequate floorplan lines of credit to meet KUS’s operating standards and are in compliance with all KUS policies. Dealership visits are an essential function of this role.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1st Priority - 35%

Achievement of Retail and Wholesale objectives (allocation of Kia vehicles) monthly and annually.

2nd Priority - 35%

Manages and directs all District Sales activities in accordance with KUS corporate standards and corporate/regional programs, as well as policies and procedures. Consults with dealers to develop and implement action plans that will improve profitability, performance, and sales satisfaction of customers.

3rd Priority - 10%

Consult with dealers to ensure adequate market representation and market share.

4th Priority -10%

Ensure dealers maintain adequate Kia presence and represent the brand appropriately in the marketplace, including effective showroom display, vehicle inventory, point-of-sale display, product, and customer experience training, online and instore advertising and marketing.

5th Priority - 10%

Recommend and consult with dealers to ensure corrective actions are taken when dealers fail to meet sales, financial, and customer experience targets.

Personally Performed Duties

• Manage wholesale vehicle inventory to maintain balanced dealer stock levels based on market trends, industry forecasts, dealer sales performance, and current inventory.
• Monitor dealer customer experience performance to ensure adherence to KUS standards, survey integrity, and incentive program compliance.
• Analyze and evaluate dealership retail operations, including PDI and vehicle delivery processes, to ensure optimal vehicle condition and customer satisfaction.
• Establish annual sales, financial, and customer experience plans with dealers; track and review performance results.
• Review and support dealer participation in fleet sales programs; monitor related activities and results.
• Address Customer Care issues tied to the sales/delivery process and assist dealers in resolving concerns promptly.
• Conduct ongoing dealership sales training to ensure personnel maintain strong product and incentive program knowledge.
• Monitor dealer training certification and competency to ensure quality customer service and product expertise.
• Advise dealer principals on media spend, advertising plans, and market registration performance.
• Develop and implement retail sales promotions based on market opportunities.
• Support dealer development initiatives and review monthly dealership financial performance to ensure profitability and achievement of targets.
• Ensure timely and accurate submission of dealership financial statements to KUS.
• Ensure all dealerships meet KUS Facility and Identification Program Standards for consistent brand representation.

Qualifications/Education

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.

Job Requirement

Overall Related Experience:

• Minimum 2 years of OEM/Automotive retail and wholesale experience.
• Business consulting experience.
• Parts and Service experience helpful.

Directly Related Experience:

• Understanding of financial statements, budgeting, and cost management.
• Ability to develop a business case and deliver to dealership management teams.
• Ability to lead district-level meetings and deliver meaningful communications.
• Retail dealership experience is a plus.

Position Requirements:

• Frequent travel is required domestically (and may be internationally)
• Daily, weekly, and monthly dealer visits are required and an essential function of this position.
• Frequent travel may include but is not limited to monthly, quarterly, and/or annual visits to Regional Offices or Headquarters as required by the job.
• May need to work additional hours outside of normal business hours as required by the job, including weekends or holidays.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Ability to relocate to a new location if requested by the company.
• Must always have a valid Driver’s License and maintain a responsible record that meets the criteria established by KUS at all times.
• Required to drive a company vehicle while performing job duties.

Specialized Skills and Knowledge Required

• Strong presentation and negotiation skills are a must
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong organization skills are required and must be highly adaptable
• Computer skills/aptitude in a Window-based environment
• Care for People
• Chase Excellence Every Day
• Dare to Push Boundaries
• Empower People to Act
• Move Further Together

Pay Range

$89,936.24 -$121,409.23

Pay will be based on several variables that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to, job-related skills, experience, relevant education or training, etc.

KUS provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, including pregnancy and childbirth and related medical conditions, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, legally protected physical disability or mental disability, legally protected medical condition, marital status, sexual orientation, family care or medical leave status, protected veteran or military status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. KUScomplies with applicable law governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which KUS has offices. The KUSEEO policy applies to all areas of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, compensation, benefits, discipline, termination and all other privileges, terms and conditions of employment.

Disclaimer: The above information on this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification and for this position. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.