Vehicle Operations Lead

Duties and Responsibilities:

Lead Resource for Vehicle Order Desk (VOD):

• Using your knowledge and experience, provide support to the VOD team to help resolve Dealer and District Manager concerns related to vehicle orders, delivery timing, etc. Elevate concerns to department Manager as needed
• Collaborate with Order Desk team to make improvements to systems and procedures to enhance dealer and Kawasaki operations
• Promote additional vehicle sales through daily contact with Dealers and District Managers. Inform Dealers of available inventory and solicit new orders

Oversee Corporate Vehicle Loan Pool:

• Develop and implement systems for accurately managing inventory using the Loan Pool System
• Prepare and execute processes related to the procurement and disposition of inventory for Fleet/Loan Pool vehicles
• Coordinate with KMM, Logistics and Trade Compliance teams to expedite requests for rush internal inventory orders and adjust orders and shipping data as needed
• Train loan pool users of loan pool system, updating security for access to new system
• Responsible for effective shipment arrival communications between requestors, warehouses, shippers, and appropriate KMC staff
• Manage loan pool inventory and coordinate Team Member loan pool sales with HR; make recommendations for sale timing and pricing/discount structure; responsible for uploading data and maintaining internal Team Member sales website through K-dealer
• Maintain Loan Pool inventory levels in compliance with Finance Department direction
• Conduct periodic physical inventory of Loan Pool vehicles in conjunction with department loan pool managers
• Maintain records of all loan pool activities, including transactions, approvals, inventory and destruction records

Manage Dealer Terminations and Repossessions with KMFC and AKM Sales:

• Collaborate with KMFC, AKM Sales and AKM Logistics regarding vehicle inventory disposition during dealer Repossession or Voluntary Terminations
• Collaborate with District Managers and KMFC to transfer vehicle inventory from terminating dealers to other dealers to minimize costs and improve sales opportunities
• Analyze and recommend to Sales Department the best pricing for relocating terminating dealer inventory while maximizing Kawasaki profitability
• When repossessions are inevitable, collaborate with KMFC and internal departments on repo sale timing, pricing and method of sale (dealer, auction, etc.). When necessary, engage third parties to facilitate repossession sales.
• Manage the inventory and financial control process for crediting units from dealer inventory, returning to AKM inventory and invoicing to new dealers

Vehicle Operations & Ordering Support:

• Assist department Manager to maintain vehicle system databases, including model master, pricing and other master data
• Prepare systems and databases for periodic vehicle ordering (Order Periods and Profile Ordering)
• Prepare and distribute order period reports to executive management, Sales and others

Others:

• Serve as back up to department Manager and Vehicle Sales Representatives as necessary
• Follow all appropriate department policies and procedures regarding order processing, check processing, warranty buy-backs, destroy unit and other special unit processing
• Analyze department processes for effectiveness and accuracy and make recommendations for improvements where needed
• Other special requests and tasks will be assigned periodically

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree is required; minimum 3 years’ experience in inventory, distribution and operational procedures; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Skills and Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, you must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Must bring energy and enthusiasm to group or team efforts
• Must be able to work in team environment as well as work independently
• Must exhibit strong analytical skills and excellent oral and written communication skills
• Must demonstrate the ability to successfully prioritize and organize multiple, competing tasks
• Must be extremely detail and deadline oriented
• Must be able to problem solve and formulate solutions or recommendations
• Must be able to analyze data and communicate the results effectively
• Must be able to accomplish tasks autonomously