Sales Operations Manager - Canada

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We love our cars, but it’s the people behind them who make them what they are. To market, sell, and service great cars, we need great people. That’s why at Volkswagen Group Canada, we are passionate about our cars and our brand and foster this same passion and drive in our people. We know that the right people in the right positions can do incredible things, and we love making that happen.

We are currently looking for a Sales Operations Manager for the North American Region (NAR) & Volkswagen Canada (VWC). This role is classified as “Hybrid” and will be located at our Corporate Offices in Ajax, ON

The Sales Operations Manager serves as the primary liaison between Volkswagen headquarters and Volkswagen Canada, ensuring alignment and effective collaboration across Sales and Marketing functions. This role is critical in representing VW’s strategic interests in the North American Region.

Key responsibilities include leading the local sales operations team, optimizing sales planning, and driving performance across key areas such as new vehicle sales, profitability, marketing, product strategy, customer experience, and dealer network development.

This role also supports the execution of the Brand’s Sales Strategy and ensures adherence to core sales processes. A major focus is on strategic and long-term business planning (PR XX) to support the Brand’s growth and transformation goals. In addition, the Sales Operations Manager plays a vital role in translating global best practices into market-relevant actions while maintaining compliance with legal and operational standards.

This role also acts as VW HQ’s representative in Canada, engaging with key stakeholders including national sales organizations, dealers, customers, and media

Key Responsibilities

• Defining and steering the long-term integrated Planning Round, by aligning with the involved divisions (VWC & NAR Controlling, Product Marketing, Sales, Customer Experience) twice a year; and presenting to the NAR Board for approval.
• Building the liaison between the market (in-market presence) and NAR sales region; it is his responsibility to coach and functionally steer the sales operations team for which the in-market presence is essential.
• Leading the committee “Market Table” (2-4 times a month) to steer the cross-functional collaboration and alignment between all sales performance relevant divisions in the NAR and HQ organization (“One aligned face to the market principle”)
• Steering and following-up quarterly Strategic Reviews with VWC to ensure the successful implementation of the Brand’s Sales Strategy with concrete Objectives and Key Results. =
• Implementing roll-out of HQ. central programs & strategic initiatives (i.e. Energize, NewAuto 2030)
• Supervising the VWC Sales & Planning Team with planning, aligning and tracking of Market Business KPIs including
• New Vehicle Sales performance (volume, market share, segment shares, BEV share, CO2 compliance, stock turn, stock level vs. ideal stock, aged stock)
• Financial performance (Vehicle margin per car and in million EUR)
• Brand perception & positioning (Brand Image and Top-of-volume position)
• Funnel performance (Awareness, Consideration, First Choice, Lead & Order Management)
• Customer Experience (Customer Satisfaction, Customer Loyalty)
• Digital Performance (Car Net Enrollment, App-Rating, Onsite & Offsite Web metrics)
• Channel Performance (Retail, Fleet, RAC, Company Cars, Financial Services Penetration)
• Dealer Network Transformation (Standard implementation, Digital Retail & New Formats, Profitability, Ideal Network Plan)
• Developing and executing strategic measures in reaction to market changes in order to accomplish revised targets/ Market Business KPIs.
• Overseeing that production quota targets are achieved, i.e. ensuring the timely specification of vehicles with market and volume planning; Control of countermeasures in the event of deviations from target; coordination of the integration into NAR volume planning (including transparency about relevant changes, e.g. demand, deliveries, stock).
• Collaborating with NAR & VWC Product Expert Marketing Teams to coordinate and define market-specific product requirements; Alignment and implementation of Product & Price measure; Participation in the development of requirements, measures and applications; Derivation and implementation of exceptions to price issues (for inflation rounds, model upgrades, engine pricing).
• Steering and derivation of market specific Short-term Volume Planning (SMK - monthly) and integration into NAR Short-term Volume Planning in terms of retail sales and production.
• Steering and derivation of market specific Long-term Volume Planning (LAP - twice a year) and integration into NAR Long-term Volume Planning in terms of retail sales and production
  
  

Required Skills

• Outstanding communication and collaboration skills – Experience in communicating with executive level audiences and in pro-actively collaborating with multiple levels within the organization, markets and with international counterparts at the headquarter
• Integration – Ability to lead cross-functional alignment across all new vehicle sales and market related operational topics, processes and strategic initiatives
• Analytical and conceptual thinking – Ability to monitor, analyze and interpret metrics/data trends to form appropriated measures and relevant business insights
• Strategic thinking - Knowledge of strategic framework within the VW Group and VW Brand and ability to define and further develop a target picture for the brand in the market, ability to create meaningful (fit-gap) analysis and to derive and align impactful measures accordingly.
• Initiative, excellent problem solving skills, creative and interconnected thinking, detail oriented
• Customer centric and entrepreneurial mindset with ability to lead change and drive transformation
• Computer savvy – Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams and Tableau
• Influencing and negotiation skills
• Experienced balancing multiple priorities and work streams, working with limited resources
• Excellent time management and planning skills, ability to operate in a fast paced, changing environment
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work in a team and cross-functional environment
• Solid work ethic with desire to contribute to achieving team goals and business objectives for the brand.
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing or related field.
• 7-10 years experience in a Sales & Marketing operations leadership role within the automotive industry
• Strong understanding of the total automotive market considering segment trends, powertrains, sales channels, seasonality as well as sales incentive spendings, legal restrictions and competition landscape
• Comprehensive understanding of car dealer operations, including business priorities, to successfully merge VW brand’s objectives into one strategy
• Working knowledge and / or understanding of customer interaction management
• New Vehicle Planning Process (volume, product, price, contribution margins, revenue management, vehicle logistics, funnel/brand metrics, homologation, technical requirements)
• Ability to lead collaboration across multiple functions and organizations
• Strong negotiation Skills
• Customer centric and entrepreneurial mindset with ability to lead change and drive transformation through different hierarchy levels
• Proven track record of success in driving sales growth and performance
• Strong ability to grasp market complexities, analyze and interpret metrics/data trends to develop performance strategies
• Project Management Experience
• Working knowledge and / or understanding of OKR methodology (Objectives and Key Results)
• Previous experience with the following IT systems i.e. DIVE, PIANO, FPL, IFA, EPL, HIS, MBV is preferred
• Ability to travel 25-50% is required
  
  

What You’ll Get In Return

• A flexible and collaborative team dynamic
• Opportunities for development
• Opportunities to participate in exciting company events that give back to the community
• Competitive employer paid benefits and overall compensation package
• And much more!
• Please note that we appreciate the interest of all candidates, however only those under consideration will be contacted.
  
  

Volkswagen Group Canada Inc. is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, family status, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability or any other characteristic protected by federal, or local laws.

Volkswagen Group Canada Inc. is committed to providing accommodations for people with disabilities during all phases of the hiring process including the application process. If you require an accommodation because of a disability, we will work with you to meet your needs. Applicants need to make their needs known in advance. If you are selected for an interview and require an accommodation, you are encouraged to advise the Recruiter who will consult with you to determine an appropriate accommodation.