Pre-Owned Operations Manager

Jobs 4 All; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading automotive company in South Africa is seeking a Pre-Owned Operations Manager to establish and manage pre-owned vehicle operations. This role will focus on professionalizing the tradeback process, developing a structured Pre-Owned Division, and driving profitability. Candidates should have significant experience in the automotive sector and skills in operational management and strategic thinking.

Qualifications

• 58 years experience in automotive / commercial vehicle sector, preferably pre-owned operations, tradeback, or fleet management.
• Proven experience managing outsourced partners and operational processes.
• Track record in cost control, pricing strategy, and margin protection.

Responsibilities

• Manage tradeback process with outsourced partner.
• Design and implement pre-owned policies and processes.
• Drive profitability as a standalone business unit.

Skills

Operational management and process discipline

Advanced financial and cost management skills

Strategic thinking

Negotiation and partner management

Market and pricing analysis

Attention to detail

Resilience and adaptability

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Commerce, Logistics, or related field

Job description

Role Purpose

The Pre-Owned Operations Manager will establish, manage, and grow the pre-owned vehicle operations, initially focusing on professionalising the tradeback process via an outsourced partner. Over time, the role will develop into leading a structured Pre-Owned Division, expanding resale networks, enhancing market presence, and driving profitability.

Key Responsibilities

Tradeback & Partner Oversight

• Manage tradeback process with outsourced partner :
• Process vehicle returns from clients into stock.
• Transfer vehicles to partner stock yard and system.
• Track, report, and reconcile stock movements.
• Monitor refurbishment, repair, and vehicle readiness.
• Approve costs for transport, reconditioning, and storage.
• Determine wholesale pricing for tradeback units.
• Conduct market gap analysis to optimise competitiveness.
• Develop reporting for stock, costs, and profitability.

Establishing Pre-Owned Division

• Design and implement pre-owned policies and processes.
• Build business cases to expand beyond outsourced operations.
• Engage and develop resale partners to widen market reach.
• Define partner criteria, performance measures, and contracts.
• Create marketing strategies for pre-owned trucks under the brand.
• Ensure integration with dealer network and alignment with new truck sales.

Division Growth & Leadership

• Transition activities into a structured Pre-Owned Division.
• Build a dedicated team to manage operations, pricing, and partner relationships.
• Drive profitability as a standalone business unit.
• Report performance and strategic recommendations to senior management.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Operational Efficiency: Turnaround time of tradeback vehicles.
• Financial Control: Cost management within budget; gross margin per tradeback unit.
• Pricing Competitiveness: Alignment of wholesale pricing with market benchmarks.
• Stock Management: Accuracy and completeness of vehicle reporting.
• Partner Management: Outsourced partner performance vs. SLAs.
• Division Growth: Number of resale partners, resale volumes, and profitability.
• Strategic Development: Delivery of Pre-Owned Division business plan and transition milestones.

Skills & Competencies

• Operational management and process discipline.
• Advanced financial and cost management skills.
• Strategic thinking for designing and scaling business units.
• Strong negotiation and partner management abilities.
• Analytical mindset for market and pricing analysis.
• High attention to detail and compliance discipline.
• Resilient, adaptable, entrepreneurial.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelors degree in Business, Commerce, Logistics, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 58 years experience in automotive / commercial vehicle sector, preferably pre-owned operations, tradeback, or fleet management.
• Proven experience managing outsourced partners and operational processes.
• Track record in cost control, pricing strategy, and margin protection.
• Exposure to dealer networks and pre-owned resale channels advantageous.
• Experience setting up or scaling business operations highly regarded.