Garage Relationship Manager (Field based - Manchester)

It's an exciting opportunity to join FixMyCar, the UK's leading online marketplace linking garages to customers. FixMyCar.com aims to ensure best value and service for drivers and offers great commercial opportunities to member garages and associated partners. We are looking to recruit a field based Garage Relationships Manager.

The successful applicant will have proven experience in client relationship management, preferably within the automotive sector and pro-active regional sales experience, working independently in the Manchester area.

Primary Purpose of the Position

• Ensure alignment with Head of Garage Network on the business strategy and provide guidance/advice on key garage considerations which have/will have an impact on business targets
• Oversee all aspects of client relationships and take ownership of end to end communications to ensure timely proposals and solutions
• Understand the industry trends, review current relationships for improvement and identify new opportunities to sustain/grow the garage network
• Challenge and constructively contribute to the company's decision making process, ensuring the prioritisation of maintaining/building relationships, improving network health and maximising revenue
• Ensure compliance with local legalisation, HQ and local policies/procedures. Ensure structure is applied appropriately or provide input into new processes where required to ensure efficiency

Princple Duties & Responsibilities

Client & Performance:

• Identify and engage potential clients in the automotive industry to sell garage-related products, tools, and services
• Build and maintain long-term relationships with existing clients to ensure retention by understanding their critical needs, ROI for both parties and ensuring consistent communication
• Build and maintain strong relationships with distributors and key decision-makers at garages to ensure long-term partnerships
• Gather client feedback on products/services and collaborate with internal teams to improve offerings and service delivery
• Identify areas of potential growth and new business opportunities

Client & Support:

• Act as the primary point of contact for clients, providing post-sale support and ensuring satisfaction with the solutions provided
• Address and resolve any issues or concerns clients may have, be the main POC between FMC and the client providing timely assistance and support
• Analyse client feedback and industry trends in order to develop and implement new strategies
• Evaluate and implement suitable processes to streamline and enhance performance

Sales:

• Engage with clients to understand their needs, specifically garage-related products, tools, and services to support their stability, growth and future aspirations, ensuring alignment with internal stakeholders on realistic ability to deliver within suggested timelines
• Understand client pain points and create actions plans to address these to demonstrate commitment to retention and future partnerships
• Provide in-depth presentations and demonstrations of products or services tailored to the needs of the clients in collaboration with internal stakeholders
• Consider monthly/quarterly targets and provide regular updates on actions required, pending and completed activities and input into reporting as required

Collaboration:

• Using client knowledge (Strengths, improvements, future aspirations) provide direction, guidance advice to the Head of Garage Network and associated internal stakeholders to ensure alignment of deliverables timelines and risk to business (if any)
• Create internal communication channels to ensure all stakeholders are aligned on the requirements and timelines for efficient and timely output
• Priortise client needs and communication, as well as competitor movements to ensure FMC is ahead of the curve

Compliance:

• Ensure all commercial activities are in compliance with applicable laws and regulations
• Ensure robust compliance processes to protect sensitive client/business data
• Review current processes and implement new processes (as required) to mitigate any risks to the company's systems/data
• Operate in line with HQ processes/procedures/approval matrix
• Escalate any risks to business as priority to the Head of Garage Network

Requirements

Experience

• Proven experience in client relationship management, preferably within the automotive sector
• Prior experience of pro-active lead generation
• Ability to manage multiple clients and prioritise effectively
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to devise solutions
• Strong interpersonal and relationship building skills with networking abilities to drive results
• Willingness to partner, collaborate and influence across functional areas (E.g. Technology and Product)
• Knowledge of industry trend to build strategy
• Willingness to travel to client locations

Knowledge & Skills

• Experience with pro-active regional sales and working independently
• Skilled in prioritisation, planning, change management, influencing multi-functional teams, communication and training
• High level of initiative, creativity, perseverance and flexibility
• Able to influence individuals and explain clearly the rationales for proposals
• Good listening and communication skills across all levels
• Pro-active and hands-on mentality

Benefits

• Fully remote/flexible working
• Holidays: 25 days per annum + Birthday Leave (1 day)
• Private Medical Insurance (70% Company funded)
• Life Assurance (4x basic salary)
• Pension: 5.5% Employer contribution (5% Employee contribution)
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Flu vaccinations allowance
• Home-based allowance
• Eye test allowance
• 2 volunteering days
• Elective work location change (work from anywhere)
• Holiday Buy-Back Scheme: Buy 5 days additional holiday (After 1 years' service)