Pre-Owned Operations Manager

SUMMARY:
Pre-Owned Operations Manager
Isando

POSITION INFO:
Role Purpose

The Pre-Owned Operations Manager will establish, manage, and grow the pre-owned vehicle operations, initially focusing on professionalising the tradeback process via an outsourced partner. Over time, the role will develop into leading a structured Pre-Owned Division, expanding resale networks, enhancing market presence, and driving profitability.

Key Responsibilities

Tradeback & Partner Oversight

• Manage tradeback process with outsourced partner:
• Process vehicle returns from clients into stock.
• Transfer vehicles to partner stock yard and system.
• Track, report, and reconcile stock movements.
• Monitor refurbishment, repair, and vehicle readiness.
• Approve costs for transport, reconditioning, and storage.
• Determine wholesale pricing for tradeback units.
• Conduct market gap analysis to optimise competitiveness.
• Develop reporting for stock, costs, and profitability.

• Design and implement pre-owned policies and processes.
• Build business cases to expand beyond outsourced operations.
• Engage and develop resale partners to widen market reach.
• Define partner criteria, performance measures, and contracts.
• Create marketing strategies for pre-owned trucks under the brand.
• Ensure integration with dealer network and alignment with new truck sales.

• Transition activities into a structured Pre-Owned Division.
• Build a dedicated team to manage operations, pricing, and partner relationships.
• Drive profitability as a standalone business unit.
• Report performance and strategic recommendations to senior management.

• Operational Efficiency: Turnaround time of tradeback vehicles.
• Financial Control: Cost management within budget; gross margin per tradeback unit.
• Pricing Competitiveness: Alignment of wholesale pricing with market benchmarks.
• Stock Management: Accuracy and completeness of vehicle reporting.
• Partner Management: Outsourced partner performance vs. SLAs.
• Division Growth: Number of resale partners, resale volumes, and profitability.
• Strategic Development: Delivery of Pre-Owned Division business plan and transition milestones.

• Operational management and process discipline.
• Advanced financial and cost management skills.
• Strategic thinking for designing and scaling business units.
• Strong negotiation and partner management abilities.
• Analytical mindset for market and pricing analysis.
• High attention to detail and compliance discipline.
• Resilient, adaptable, entrepreneurial.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Commerce, Logistics, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 5–8 years’ experience in automotive/commercial vehicle sector, preferably pre-owned operations, tradeback, or fleet management.
• Proven experience managing outsourced partners and operational processes.
• Track record in cost control, pricing strategy, and margin protection.
• Exposure to dealer networks and pre-owned resale channels advantageous.
• Experience setting up or scaling business operations highly regarded.