Passenger Vehicle Dealer Principal - Helderberg, Cape Town

SUMMARY:
Remuneration: Salary R80,000 + Incentive Structure + Company Vehicle + Fuel allowance R2500 + Medical aid 50/50 + Provident Fund
 
Purpose Of The Job:
 
Our client a busy dealership is looking for a knowledgeable and experienced Dealer Principal to join their Team! The Dealer Principal is responsible for the overall leadership, profitability, compliance, and strategic direction of the passenger vehicle dealership. This role ensures optimal performance across New Vehicle Sales, Pre-Owned Sales, Service, Parts, Finance & Insurance, and Administration, while delivering exceptional customer satisfaction and full OEM and regulatory compliance.

POSITION INFO:
Responsibilities:
Strategic & Operational Leadership

• Provide overall leadership and direction to the dealership management team
• Develop and implement business plans, budgets, and performance targets
• Drive sustainable profitability and long-term growth
• Ensure alignment with OEM standards, dealer group policies, and brand strategy

• Full P&L responsibility for the dealership
• Monitor and control expenses, margins, and departmental profitability
• Analyse financial reports and take corrective action where required
• Ensure accurate forecasting and achievement of sales, CSI, and profit targets

• Oversee New Vehicle, Pre-Owned, Fleet, and F&I performance
• Ensure sales targets, market share, and OEM objectives are met
• Support and guide marketing and promotional initiatives
• Drive customer experience excellence and CSI results

• Ensure Service and Parts departments operate efficiently and profitably
• Drive workshop productivity, absorption, and quality standards
• Ensure compliance with OEM technical, warranty, and audit requirements

• Lead, mentor, and develop departmental managers
• Ensure effective recruitment, performance management, and succession planning
• Foster a high-performance, customer-centric culture
• Ensure compliance with labour legislation and HR best practices

• Ensure compliance with OEM franchise standards and audits
• Ensure adherence to legal, regulatory, and dealer group governance requirements
• Oversee health & safety, POPIA, FICA, and internal controls

• Minimum 10 years’ related dealer principal experience in a dealership environment
• Must have MDP qualification / Sewells Dealer Principal certification
• Proven experience managing multi-department dealership operations
• Strong understanding of OEM franchise requirements
• Solid financial acumen and P&L management experience
• In-depth knowledge of South African motor retail operations
• Experience working with dealership management systems (DMS)