SUMMARY:
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POSITION INFO:
Fleet Manager | Johannesburg, Gauteng | Permanent
Lead and grow a high-impact fleet channel in a fast-moving automotive environment. If you enjoy strategic sales, complex negotiations and building long-term corporate relationships, this role is for you.
As Fleet Manager, you will own the Corporate Fleet and Rental portfolio, working closely with dealer networks, key corporate and rental customers, and internal stakeholders to drive profitable growth. You will shape pricing, structure deals, and design tailored fleet solutions that support ambitious sales objectives, while ensuring that customers receive exceptional service and aftersales support throughout the vehicle lifecycle.
Our client is a well-established, multinational automotive brand with a growing footprint in South Africa. Operating in a highly competitive segment, they partner with dealer networks, corporate fleets and rental operators to deliver robust, reliable vehicles backed by strong service and support. You will join a collaborative, performance-focused environment where commercial thinking and long-term relationship building are highly valued.
What You’ll Do
- Manage and grow Dealer Fleet, Corporate Fleet and Rental customer accounts, acting as the key point of contact for all commercial and operational matters.
- Drive fleet sales opportunities end-to-end, from prospecting and lead qualification through to proposal, negotiation, closing and implementation.
- Work on pricing, contract terms and vehicle customisation to meet fleet customer requirements while protecting margin and profitability.
- Prepare and manage bid responses, partnering with the Head of Sales and Finance leadership on commercial structures and approvals.
- Track and analyse orders, sales performance, profitability and customer behaviour to optimise the fleet programme and inform strategic decisions.
- Lead the drafting and implementation of effective fleet policies, processes and standards to support consistent operations.
- Oversee vehicle maintenance and servicing schedules and performance standards to minimise downtime and enhance customer satisfaction.
- Conduct regular reviews and check-ins with key customers to monitor satisfaction, resolve issues, and identify growth or improvement opportunities.
- Research and identify new fleet customers and market segments, building a robust pipeline of opportunities.
- Coordinate with production, logistics, finance, marketing, product development and aftersales to ensure timely delivery, consistent messaging and seamless service.
- Provide regular reports on fleet performance, sales results, forecasts and customer satisfaction metrics to management.
What You Bring
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Sales, Marketing or a related field; an MBA is an advantage.
- 8–10 years’ experience in the automotive industry, with extensive exposure to fleet, OEM, rental or dealer operations.
- 3–5 years’ experience in sales, account management or customer service, preferably within fleet or rental channels.
- Proven track record in complex negotiations, contract management and closing high-value deals.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust and credibility with senior client stakeholders and internal teams.
- Solid analytical and reporting skills, comfortable working with sales, profitability and operational performance data.
- Good understanding of fleet management best practices, vehicle lifecycle costs and operational requirements.
- Collaborative working style, able to align cross-functional teams around shared goals and timelines.
- Problem-solving mindset with the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced commercial environment.
What Success Looks Like
- Year-on-year growth in corporate, dealer fleet and rental volumes and profitability within agreed targets.
- Strong, long-term customer relationships reflected in high satisfaction, repeat business and positive references.
- Robust fleet policies and processes in place, driving consistency, compliance and operational efficiency.
- Vehicles are delivered and maintained on time, with minimised downtime and quick resolution of issues.
- A healthy, well-managed pipeline of new fleet opportunities and a clear understanding of market trends and competitor activity.
- Clear, accurate and timely reporting that enables informed decision-making for leadership.
