Isando: Pre-Owned Operations Manager

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.