Retail Business Consultant (Temporary)

Bridgestone; South Africa; Hybrid; ZAR 45 000 - 75 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading tire manufacturer is seeking a Retail Business Consultant to enhance and optimize the performance of its First Stop Network. The role involves strategic development, network expansion, and effective communication to drive business success. Candidates must have a strong background in retail or business development, excellent analytical skills, and the ability to travel frequently. This position offers a hybrid work model and seeks professionals willing to contribute to an inclusive culture focused on quality and innovation.

Benefits

Supportive onboarding experience

Training and development opportunities

Corporate Social Responsibility activities

Diverse and inclusive team

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years in Retail or Business Development roles.
• Experience in retail, tyre, or automotive industry is a plus.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Implement and develop the First Stop Network in assigned area.
• Optimize performance and profitability of the First Stop Network.
• Boost network expansion and proactively develop business opportunities.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Negotiation skills

Customer focus

IT literacy

Education

Degree in Economics, Marketing, Business Administration, or equivalent

Tools

MS Office (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint)

Job description

Retail Business Consultant (Temporary)

POSITION SNAPSHOT

Type of work: Hybrid

Type of contract: Interim contract

Full/Part Time: Full time

Location: Vimercate(MB), IT

ABOUT US

Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (BSAM), headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, and Bridgestone Europe, Middle East and Africa (BSEMEA), headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, operate collectively as a “Bridgestone West” strategic region. This region services the strategic business needs of teams across the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Africa. BSAM and BSEMEA are subsidiaries of Bridgestone Corporation, globally headquartered in Japan. Bridgestone and its subsidiaries develop, manufacture and market a wide range of Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand products and solutions to address the needs of a broad range of customers and industries.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Job Purpose

In line with Bridgestone Europe and First Stop Italy guidelines, the Retail Business Consultant is responsible for the implementation and development of the First Stop Network in the assigned area, contributing to the shared success of the Network and its Partners by ensuring:

In line with the company’s strategic vision for Franchise Retail, the Retail Business Consultant (RBC) plays a crucial role in enhancing the efficiency and profitability of the First Stop Network by acting as the key point of contact and consultant for our Partners.

Working closely with the Network to devise strategies that improve operations and optimize operating profit, particularly in services, sales, marketing, and customer service at individual Partner points of sale.

The RBC is responsible for recruiting, developing, and managing the retail network of maintenance and repair centers and collaborates closely with Partners as well as central functions such as marketing and procurement to execute an effective strategy.

Main Responsibilities

A Retail Business Consultant plays a crucial role in optimizing the performance of the First Stop Network. Here are some key responsibilities and insights into this role:

1. Boost Network Expansion

Discover and recruit high-quality prospects, tyre and non-tyre, to support Retail strategy and territorial coverage.

Support definition of multi-year plans for those customers who need development support.

Actively support onboarding, monitoring, and development of Partners.

Promptly share business insights of recruited dealers and keep them updated.

Foster the growth and success of existing Partners (farming), ensuring both network expansion and sustained quality.

2. Proactive Business Development and Profitability Enhancement

Boost sales and revenues of the POS, including Bridgestone, scouting business opportunities and managing dealer support:

Organize local meetings with the sales force of partner suppliers.

Support the presentation of commercial conditions of partner suppliers.

Set targets for each partner supplier commensurate with the retailer's potential and drive results achievement.

Finalize a detailed assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of your area and by dealer.

Define, present, and support stores in implementing the Store Improvement Plan, leveraging Network Value Proposition items (Marketing, Procurement, Retail Operations, Training, Digital Tools…)

Collaborate with Fleet, Bridgestone, and other Supplier Partner Sales teams to scout new revenue opportunities, new fleets, and new partners for the network.

Constantly analyze purchase performance and ensure fast follow-up.

3. Effective Communication

Plan regular and optimized visits to dealers based on category, reporting strategic market information to the Central Team.

Organize regular touchpoints with Bridgestone and other suppliers’ sales forces to stay aligned on current customers and activities.

Communicate marketing activities and new projects to dealers in an organized and regular manner.

Communicate effectively and regularly the value created for dealers and network opportunities, including marketing, procurement, and digital initiatives.

Qualifications and Skills Requirements

This role requires a combination of strong analytical skills, excellent communication abilities, and a deep understanding of the Retail business. The Retail Business Consultant must be dynamic, work closely with various stakeholders, and drive business success.

Education

Degree in Economics, Marketing, Business Administration, Management Engineering or equivalent education; relevant work experience can be considered as an alternative.

Experience

Previous experience in retail, tyre or automotive industry is a plus.

Strategic mindset with practical approach

Creativity, flexibility, and ability to think out-of-the-box.

Analytical skills

Ability to analyze sales data, market trends and operational metrics to identify areas for improvement and develop data-driven strategies.

Customer focus

Deep understanding of customer needs and ability to enhance customer satisfaction through tailored solutions.

Communication skills

Strong verbal and written communication skills for effectively conveying ideas, presenting findings, and collaborating with team members and clients.

Interpersonal skills

Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with clients, colleagues and stakeholders, fostering a collaborative environment.

Negotiation skills

Effectively negotiate with partners and prospective partners to secure favorable terms and build mutually beneficial relationships.

IT literacy

Proficiency in MS Office (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint), familiarity with social media platforms and other IT tools.

Mobility and autonomy

Comfortable with frequent travel and working independently.

Experience

Minimum 5 years in Retail, Business Development, Key Account, Sales/After Sales roles consistently meeting or exceeding targets.

Experience in sales organizations in a complex, international and/or matrix environment.

Knowledge of B2B environment, automotive and tyre business, after sales, spare parts is considered a plus.

Other Information

Willing to travel at least 70% of the time in the assigned area.

Permanent address in Marche-Abruzzo-Puglia region.

WHAT WE OFFER

At Bridgestone, what really matter is to foster co-creation opportunities and empowering you to be creative and curious to make mobility safer, more efficient, and more sustainable for future generations. Whatever role you fill, when you represent Bridgestone, you are a valued teammate, and part of our larger mission to “Serve Society with Superior Quality”, for that, we offer you more than just a competitive payment; we will provide you:

• A supportive and engaging onboarding experience to ensure a smooth transition into our team.
• The opportunity to develop and grow, through training and regular mentorship.
• Corporate Social Responsibility activities.
• A truly global, dynamic and challenging work environment.
• Agility and work/life effectiveness and your long-term well-being.
• A diverse and inclusive team.

We are committed to create an even more inclusive culture that advances equity, embraces individuality, and helps our increasingly diverse teammates, customers, and communities thrive, by providing equal opportunities in employment. This means that all job applicants and members of staff will receive equal treatment and that we will not discriminate on grounds of gender, marital status, race, ethnicity, color, nationality, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, religion or age.