Dealer Training Academy Manager

automotiveautomotive industrybusiness and financial acumenBusiness Management, Human ResCAPEXcenturionDealer Training Academy Managegautengretail automotive environments

The Company is seeking a strategic and experienced professional to develop and implement an integrated People Management Strategy for its Brands' Retail Network (Importers & Dealers) across Africa.

This role involves managing outsourced training services, overseeing training facilities and assets, and aligning people and talent initiatives with both Group and automotive retail standards, with a strong emphasis on technology and digital integration.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic People & Talent Management

• Develop and implement a People & Talent Strategy for the Brands’ Retail Network aligned with Group standards.
• Align strategy with retail automotive best practices and support brand-specific goals.
• Conduct benchmarking and trend analysis to ensure relevance and continuous improvement in people development.

Training & Development Oversight

• Oversee outsourced training services across all Brands, evaluated on a 3-year cycle.
• Ensure delivery of training solutions for:
  
  • New model launches and technology updates
  • Defined learning paths and certification for key retail roles
  • Group compliance and special projects
  • Ad hoc training and talent management initiatives
• Collaborate with Brand teams to define annual Training Needs Analysis Plans and track progress through monthly and quarterly reporting.

Service & Facility Management

• Manage training facilities and assets (including vehicles, special tools, and equipment), ensuring compliance with Group standards and health & safety regulations (OSHEE).
• Oversee facility support services such as security, catering, cleaning, and printing—ensuring third-party compliance post-procurement.
• Ensure retention of necessary accreditations (e.g., MerSeta, QCTO, Tuev, HPCSA) for legal operation in South Africa.

Financial & Procurement Management

• Manage and report on both operational (OPEX) and capital (CAPEX) budgets in line with Group Purchasing Guidelines.
• Supervise procurement processes for all training-related services and ensure adherence to purchasing policies.
• Support procurement specification development and manage quotation requests.

Stakeholder & Vendor Management

• Manage relationships with internal departments including Purchasing, Finance, Learning Academies, IS, and Legal.
• Oversee performance of service providers to ensure delivery against agreed SLAs and KPIs.

Data & Compliance

• Promote data integrity and sound data management practices.
• Ensure compliance with data protection and reporting standards.

Qualifications & Experience:

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Human Resources Management, or related field
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in the automotive industry, specifically in training and development
• Minimum 5 years’ supervisory experience

Essential Skills:

• Deep understanding of retail automotive environments and Importer/Dealer structures
• Strong business and financial acumen
• Proven project management skills with ability to manage complexity and volume
• Strong cultural awareness and team leadership experience
• Entrepreneurial mindset with focus on customer value creation

Desirable / Advantageous:

• Technical background (e.g., technician or engineering qualification)
• Strong affinity for technology integration and digital platforms
• Analytical thinking and conceptual planning skills
• Excellent communication and presentation abilities
• Understanding of data analytics and data management
• Familiarity with procurement practices and outsourced vendor management