Dealer Development Manager - New England area

The Dealer Development Manager at our company holds significant responsibilities, including developing and executing strategies to enhance production within existing dealership accounts, building and nurturing relationships with key personnel, and actively utilizing CRM tools to track sales leads. They are also tasked with identifying process improvement opportunities and leveraging relationships to generate new leads in the automotive sector.

To qualify for the Dealer Development Manager position in the New England area, candidates are preferred to have a Bachelor's degree along with 2-5 years of business-to-business sales experience, specifically in the automotive industry. Retail automotive experience is also a plus. Strong customer service skills, organizational abilities, and proficiency in Microsoft Office are essential for success in this role.

As a Dealer Development Manager working from home, you'll experience a flexible environment. You will actively communicate with clients and internal associates while managing your schedule to maximize productivity. The role requires frequent travel within the New England area, approximately 50-75% of the time, ensuring a good balance between remote work and on-site dealership visits.

A successful Dealer Development Manager at our company should possess excellent listening, verbal, and written communication skills, along with strong organizational and presentation abilities. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and PowerPoint, is essential. The candidate should also have a customer-centric focus and the ability to navigate complex problem-solving situations.

The Dealer Development Manager plays a crucial role in driving company growth by building relationships with dealerships, developing new customer accounts, and implementing strategies designed to enhance product sales. By leveraging industry knowledge and customer insights, they help identify opportunities for business expansion, contributing directly to the company's financial success.

When answering this question, detail your specific roles and responsibilities in past positions, highlighting any measurable success you achieved such as sales targets or growth percentages. Discuss the types of products you sold and how you’ve built relationships within the industry.

Highlight your interpersonal skills and emphasize your commitment to understanding each dealership's unique needs. Discuss any specific strategies you’ve implemented in the past, such as regular check-ins or personalized follow-ups, to maintain these relationships.

Talk about the CRM systems you’ve used in the past and how you leveraged them for tracking leads and customer interactions. Provide examples of how this analysis has improved your sales performance or aided in lead conversion.

Convey your perspective on customer service by discussing the importance of active listening, timely responses, and personalized interactions. Include examples from your experience where exceptional customer service led to increased sales or client satisfaction.

Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to frame your response. Emphasize your communication skills and your ability to coordinate with multiple departments to achieve the project’s objectives.

Explain your approach to continuous learning, whether it’s through attending industry conferences, subscribing to automotive publications, or engaging with professional networks. Highlight how staying informed helps you in your role.

Discuss any ongoing training or workshops you’ve attended, along with how you utilize feedback from clients and colleagues to refine your sales approach. Mention specific changes you’ve made based on self-assessment.

Make sure to express genuine enthusiasm about the company and align your values with its mission. Discuss what specifically attracted you to the position and how you envision contributing to the company’s success.

Acknowledge that rejection is part of sales, and describe how you maintain a positive attitude and learn from each experience. Share techniques you use to stay motivated and keep pursuing opportunities.

Share a specific instance where your negotiation skills led to a favorable outcome. Focus on the strategies you used, any challenges faced, and the final result, making sure to emphasize your planning and communication techniques.