Rowen Naidoo
Product Management (Automotive Sector)
Johannesburg
Summary
Diligent Senior Product Manager with 5 years of experience in product roadmap development, market research and data analysis. Highly skilled in identifying opportunities to maximise revenue. Driven and strategic with proven history of superior market penetration and product launches. Additional competencies in new vehicle Sales and Leasing amounting to 8 years of success in the Automotive industry. Consistently exceeds sales targets by collaborative efforts with key business stakeholders focused on maximising group sales and profitability.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
BMW Product Manager
BMW Group South Africa
05.2022 - 08.2023
- Recent responsibilities include product planning and launch management in defining market specific product strategy considering price, volume, and revenue forecasts.
- Reported volume and revenue related product and price requirements of market to headquarter. Executed annual product and price measures. Defined pricing by conducting competitor analysis, market analysis and pricing based on guidelines from headquarter.
- Collaborated with sales, marketing, and support teams to launch 4 new products on time and within budget including the new BMW iX1 and BMW M2.
- Developed local product adaptations (e.g. local editions) and adapted centrally provided products for specific market needs.
- Fully executed strategic competition analysis and competition benchmarks including interdependencies. Monitored and researched legal and governmental framework conditions (e.g. emissions).
- Reported market development, trends, and tendencies to headquarters on basis of long-term competition analysis.
- Ensured permanent communication with headquarters for influencing long-term product topics.
- Fully defined model range for market by conducting viability studies including analysis of profitability, demand and supply factors and building suitable business case for proposed plans.
- Fully responsible for supply communication in preparing market specific product presentations and augmentations for internal and external stakeholders.
- Approved locally developed product communication in markets ensuring that ordering ability of all consumer channels.
- Provided support and training on product specific topics to Dealer Network.
Corporate Sales Manager
BMW Group South Africa
08.2021 - 04.2022
- Defined and implemented short and long term development of the Corporate strategy to achieve profitable volume contribution to BMW and MINI.
- Responsible for proposing and agreeing Corporate sales targets and tracking performance in accordance with overall National Sales Company targets.
- Developed sales programs to increase Corporate volume by 5%-10% in market and to improve Corporate sales results within given budgets.
- Designed monetary incentive schemes for Corporate sales managers at retailer level. Ensure payment takes place in a precise and on time method to ensure smooth process flow.
- Supported Retailer Development to deliver and implement dealership training programmes to support Corporate retailers as well as refine retail standards.
- Developed and maintained relationships with all stakeholders in BMW Germany to ensure that all levels are engaged to maintain smooth running of business.
- Coordinated and derived planning of Corporate business (processes, communication, and policy guidelines) in the market with BMW South Africa and various departments in National Sales Company based on past performance and market trends.
- Promoted cross-functional interaction within National Sales Company on sales related topics.
- Set targets and developed measures in conjunction with relevant process partners (National Sales Company, BMW Germany).
- Built relationships with dealers to review performance, and to understand gaps in their development.
- Implemented new measures to ensure a full understanding and collaboration with Corporate, Direct & Special sales.
- Liaised with opinion leaders, in industry to understand market conditions as well as formulate new and innovative ways to attract customers to selective employee programmes.
- Modified BMW Germany guidelines for processes and policies to suit South African market conditions such as including Corporate standards, qualifying criteria.
- Initiated solutions for conflicting demands of sales volume targets, profitability targets, dealer profitability and sales expectations, customer expectations in terms of product substance and price as well as BMW premium positioning expectations / requirements.
- Dealt with increased complexity and deepth of BMW model portfolio and technological innovation and increasing use of online/remote channels to sell to car allowance users.
- Ensured that all support is given to redefine and grow Corporate Direct Sales channel and ensure that proper assessment of the marketplace is made and that where possible the department can act swiftly to develop an outstanding offering.
- Adapted Corporate strategy and planning to rapidly changing market conditions including ‘hyper-competition' and competitor downward re-positioning, which requires constant analysis and recommendations to secure the most optimum combination of sales volumes and profitability.
MINI Product Manager
BMW Group South Africa
06.2017 - 07.2021
- Scope of work similar to that of BMW Product Management in addition too the below:
- Collaborated with sales, marketing, and support teams to launch 17 new products, and 2 local editions on time and within budget.
- Launched the first-ever MINI electric in the market.
- Fulfilled distribution functions such as building of approximately 1,400 vehicles for the market per annum.
- Managed the MINI Fleet for press launches and marketing campaigns.
BMW New Car Sales Executive
BMW Menlyn
03.2015 - 05.2017
- Achieved vehicle sales and profit targets of approximately 8 vehicles per month with on average R20,000 profit per unit.
- Achieved vehicle related service objectives by providing premier customer service and consultation.
- Handled all customer enquiries and vehicle related service objectives by providing premium customer service.
- Strong product knowledge and spoke confidently and effectively to existing and potential customers about our cars.
- Prospected new customers and maintained positive relationships with existing customers with strong communication skills.
- Provided first class customer service and consultation to customers whether face-to-face, phone, online or alternative channels.
- Qualified customer needs by clarifying type of vehicle use, suggested equipment, delivery date, financing/insurance, purchasing reasons and additional relevant information (e.g. hobbies).
- Negotiated sales around the type of vehicle suitable based on assessment of customer needs and effective qualification.
- Processed customer's used car valuation, including initiating technical evaluation and commercial appraisal, prior to providing the valuation quote.
- Initiated and supervised the timely & reliable processing of all correspondence in relation to the sale and financing of the vehicle purchased.
Education
Bachelor of Commerce - Marketing Management
University of Pretoria
Pretoria 01.2009 - 12.2014
Bachelor's Pass -
Sutherland High School
Pretoria 01.2001 - 12.2005
Skills
Communicating
Teamwork & Collaboration
People
Organisational
Leadership
Active-listening
Time management
Adaptability
Decision-making
Analytical and Computer
Technical
Language
JATO V5
Additional Information
Gender: Male
Age: 35 Years
Timeline
BMW Product Manager
BMW Group South Africa
05.2022 - 08.2023
Corporate Sales Manager
BMW Group South Africa
08.2021 - 04.2022
MINI Product Manager
BMW Group South Africa
06.2017 - 07.2021
BMW New Car Sales Executive
BMW Menlyn
03.2015 - 05.2017
Bachelor of Commerce - Marketing Management
University of Pretoria
01.2009 - 12.2014
Bachelor's Pass -
Sutherland High School
01.2001 - 12.2005