Auto Trade Centre Manager - PE

VACANCY: TRADE CENTRE MANAGER

Department: Operations
Location: Gqeberha (PE), Eastern Cape
Reporting to: National Trade Centre Manager
Salary Package: Basic salary between R25,000 – R30,000 pm (dependent on experience) + R1,998 Medical Aid contribution + 10% Pension contribution

About the Employer

This leading South African digital automotive platform specialises in independent vehicle valuations, inspections, and remarketing solutions for corporate fleets, insurers, and dealerships nationwide. Operating a fast-paced, technology-driven ecosystem, they connect transport operators and commercial clients with trusted, data-backed vehicle asset assessments.

Overview: Job Purpose

The primary goal of the Trade Centre Manager is to efficiently oversee the branch's personnel and operations to guarantee the provision of first-rate customer service both internally and externally. The applicant must have the ability to analyse dashboards and analytics and transform them into daily action plans that meet the branch's operational and sales requirements. This role ensures zero health or safety hazards, minimal stock theft/damage, and guarantees that all stock live on auction retains its original inspection quality. As this is a new branch opening, the successful candidate will also be directly required to perform hands-on vehicle valuations alongside managing a team of approximately 3 employees.

Academic Qualifications & Requirements

• Matric Certificate / National Senior Certificate (Essential)

• Business Management or related Tertiary Education qualification (Essential)

• Valid RSA Driver’s License (Essential)

• Clean Record: No criminal record (Essential)

• Motor industry experience (Highly Advantageous)

Work Experience

• 3 – 5 years in a management role, ideally within a vehicle movement, dealership, or logistics facility.

• Willingness to be actively involved with the team and hands-on with daily workflow procedures (including valuations) when required.

• Proven track record of driving operations and aligning diverse teams to reach corporate strategy benchmarks.

• Ability to interpret organizational strategies and implement them directly into actionable daily plans.

Required Knowledge & Skills

• Practices of Management: Strong foundational grasp of branch leadership.

• Compliance Mastery: Solid understanding of Health & Safety compliance, FICA, and POPIA.

• Standard Operating Procedures: Expert knowledge of automotive workflow guidelines.

• Computer Literacy: Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word) and analyzing digital dashboards/metrics.

• Communication & Listening: Excellent written, oral, and active-listening skills to manage tasks in high-pressure environments.

• Time & Priority Management: Exceptional organizational capability to handle multiple tasks under strict timeframes.

• Numerical Interpretation: Ability to analyze data dashboards, financial metrics, and operational performance ratios.

Key Deliverables and Outputs

Operational Management

• Ensure branch operations are well-organized and run smoothly to offer excellent internal and external service.

• Facilitate all collection requests received from the Operations team timeously with clear, pro-active feedback.

• Ensure all vehicle receiving and releasing protocols are strictly adhered to by the workforce.

• Execute strict stock-take procedures and conduct necessary administrative reporting.

• Maintain rigorous asset and stock management within the Trade Centre environment.

• Perform hands-on vehicle valuations to establish correct condition parameters.

Sales Management

• Manage and oversee vehicle storage and transit delivery logistics.

• Ensure vehicle starting ratios are kept to the highest agreed level to generate optimized recovery ratios.

• Implement practices ensuring all vehicle inspections meet the required standards of excellence, escalating issues immediately.

• Attend to all customer queries timeously.

People Management

• Manage a small team (approx. 3 staff members) by ensuring optimal delivery of performance, attendance, and alignment.

• Partner with the Human Capital Department to ensure all people-related areas are effectively supported.

• Ensure all employees are optimally trained and perform at above-average operational levels.

• Adapt management style to accommodate a multi-faceted group of team members.

Query & Compliance Management

• Act as the core liaison assisting internal and external customers with branch-specific queries.

• Partner with inter-departmental teams to decrease sales cancellations, investigate theft, and address damage reports.

• Maintain strict Health & Safety compliance measures within the branch environment.

• Investigate and report all incidents of theft, missing stock, or additional damages immediately.

• Ensure full compliance with FICA and POPIA regulations at all times.

Personal Attributes

• Ethical Conduct: Strong commitment to behaving ethically and in line with corporate values.

• Impactful Communication: Focused on communicating clearly, professionally, and convincingly.

• Action-Oriented: High drive for execution, getting things done, and optimizing branch performance.

• Relationship Building: Natural orientation towards growing and nurturing internal and external stakeholder networks.

• Resilience & Problem Solving: Practical thinker who remains calm, structured, and resilient under stress and pressure.

• Team Orientation: Strong preference for collaborative, team-based execution mixed with high perseverance.