Shammy Naidoo
Senior Dealer Principal
Pretoria
Summary
Experienced automotive leader with focus on dealership operations, sales management, and customer satisfaction. Proven ability to drive revenue, enhance team collaboration, and adapt to changing market conditions. Known for strong negotiation skills, strategic planning, and fostering results-driven environment. Reliable and flexible, ensuring smooth operations and continuous improvement.
Overview
2
2
Languages
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Dealer Principal
Penta Motor Group, Mahindra/Jaecoo/Omoda Montana Multi-franchise
09.2023 - Current
- Implemented strategic initiatives that consistently increased sales volumes and profitability. For Mahindra, I turned around the financial position, moving from a net loss to a positive performance in less than 12 months.
- Ranked the dealership in the top 5 within a large category, out of more than 100 national dealers within 1 year.
- Won the following awards in the 2024/2025 FY: Best Sales Experience, Best Service Experience, Best Dealer Group
- Runner up for Total Sales with Mahindra SA in 2024/2025
- Shortlisted for Dealer of the year 2025/2026. Result will be announced in July.
- Oversaw inventory management processes to optimize stock levels and reduce operational costs.
- Coordinated sales and marketing campaigns that increased brand visibility within the local community - School strategy
- Assumed Dealer Principal responsibilities during a significant dealership transition - New Dealership
- Strengthened customer retention and dealership performance.
- Fleet sales development.
- Improved after sales profitability significantly
Dealer Principal
Sapphire Auto, Gezina
01.2014 - 08.2023
- Purchased a going-concern in 2014 and increased turnover from R11 000 000 - R60 000 000 in 4 years and consistently over R60 000 000 thereafter.
- Developed and executed strategic business plans to enhance dealership growth and profitability by leveraging marketing initiatives to reposition the dealership brand and drove customer engagement.
- Fostered strong relationships with key stakeholders including wholesalers, auctions houses, financial institutions and dealer networks.
- Increased our stock turn from 11% to 60% per month
Director
Stavanosh IT, Kilner Park
01.2016 - 01.2022
- Started a new greenfield operation
- Supplied hardware and software to Government departments via Golden Partners as an invoicing company
- Achieved Level 1 BEE status
National Sales Manager / General Manager
Regent Insurance / SA Warranties, Imperial Holdings
03.2009 - 10.2014
- EXCO position reporting to MD
- Involved in the sales, claims, customer services and associated sides of the short-term insurance products in SAW
- Drove the national sales strategy for a diverse portfolio of products, achieving record sales performances across multiple divisions.
- Successfully led initiatives to expand the dealership network, increasing market share and establishing a prominent brand presence in the automotive sector.
Director of Sales and Marketing
AMH Financial Services, Imperial Holdings
07.2006 - 03.2009
- Board position reporting to MD
- Responsible for the following divisions with national responsibility: F and I Management Solutions, Key Account Management: Group Products: Service and Maintenance Plans, Extended Warranties, tracking devices, SAVM, CCV, Demo Plans, all short-term insurance lines
- Group Marketing - Telesales via JV nominated service providers: Commercial Vehicle consultants
- Responsible for the servicing of all AMH dealerships (102) and AMH independent franchises (140)
- In July 2008, was seconded to SAVM as Managing Director where I was responsible for sales and business development and eventually merging SAVM into SA Warranties.
National Sales and Marketing Manager
Massmart Holdings
10.2001 - 06.2006
- Reported to the MD and member of the trading committee
- Led a cross-functional team launch by setting up of the call centre in Shield with a national sales budget of R 2.3 billion
- Fostered relationships with suppliers, regional staff, national buyers, and head office support to enhance collaboration and support business objectives
- Executed competitor analysis, coordinated group promotions, and led advertising departments.
- Prior to this position, worked for several years in the Regions where interacted with all FMCG suppliers and customers
National Sales Manager
Transman
09.2000 - 09.2001
Regional Sales Manager: Retail and Wholesale
Smollan Sales and Marketing
03.1999 - 08.2000
Deputy Store Manager and Foods Manager
Woolworths
02.1997 - 02.1999
Trainee Manager – Pick n Pay Graduate Development Programme
Pick n Pay
01.1996 - 01.1997
Education
NCA Card -
The Institute of Bankers
South Africa01-2015
RE 1 and RE 5 - undefined
Financial Services Board
01-2014
FAIS 130 Credits - undefined
Financial Services Board
01-2013
Executive of Business Leadership - undefined
School of Business Leadership, UNISA
01-2011
Master of Business Leadership - undefined
School of Business Leadership, UNISA
01-2006
Management Advancement Programme - undefined
WITS Business School
Johannesburg01-2000
Bachelor of Social Science Honours - Industrial Relations
University of Natal, Howard College
Durban01-1995
Bachelor of Arts - English, Industrial Psychology
University of Natal, Howard College
Durban01-1994
Grade 12 National Senior Certificate - undefined
Effingham Secondary School
Durban01-1989
Skills
Dealership Management
Operational Leadership
Business Management
Strategic planning
Customer relationship management
Delegation and supervision
Coaching and mentoring
Analytical thinking
Conflict resolution
Complaint handling
Affiliations
- Chairman of the Blue-Chip Dealer Group – Pretoria, Centurion, Midrand 2016 to 2020
- Selected As 1 of the Top 100 Executives of Imperial for a development program 2008
- Chairman of the Christ the King Catholic Church in Queenswood 2019 to 2023
- Chairman of the Board of Governors – Christian Brothers College Mount Edmund 2014 to 2023
Interests
I love playing golf and fly fishing I also enjoy watching all kinds of sport and am an ardent supporter of Arsenal Football Club, I am an active member and parishioner of Christ the King Catholic Church in Queenswood
Timeline
Dealer Principal
Penta Motor Group, Mahindra/Jaecoo/Omoda Montana Multi-franchise
09.2023 - Current
Director
Stavanosh IT, Kilner Park
01.2016 - 01.2022
Dealer Principal
Sapphire Auto, Gezina
01.2014 - 08.2023
National Sales Manager / General Manager
Regent Insurance / SA Warranties, Imperial Holdings
03.2009 - 10.2014
Director of Sales and Marketing
AMH Financial Services, Imperial Holdings
07.2006 - 03.2009
National Sales and Marketing Manager
Massmart Holdings
10.2001 - 06.2006
National Sales Manager
Transman
09.2000 - 09.2001
Regional Sales Manager: Retail and Wholesale
Smollan Sales and Marketing
03.1999 - 08.2000
Deputy Store Manager and Foods Manager
Woolworths
02.1997 - 02.1999
Trainee Manager – Pick n Pay Graduate Development Programme
Pick n Pay
01.1996 - 01.1997
Grade 12 National Senior Certificate - undefined
Effingham Secondary School
Bachelor of Arts - English, Industrial Psychology
University of Natal, Howard College
Bachelor of Social Science Honours - Industrial Relations
University of Natal, Howard College
Management Advancement Programme - undefined
WITS Business School
Master of Business Leadership - undefined
School of Business Leadership, UNISA
Executive of Business Leadership - undefined
School of Business Leadership, UNISA
FAIS 130 Credits - undefined
Financial Services Board
RE 1 and RE 5 - undefined
Financial Services Board
NCA Card -
The Institute of Bankers
AWARDS
CSIR Award for best Janus (Field Research) Project for MBL – 92%, Various sales awards in the companies I have worked in