A leading Automotive company is looking for a General Manager (GM) to expand their footprint in the Middle East. Central to this role is cultivating strategic partnerships with related companies, including major fleet operators to co-develop customized automotive additions to retail and fleet vehicles, and engineering service competencies. The GM leads all regional vehicle program development, ensures the quality and efficiency of the Middle Eastern customized vehicles facility.
What this person would be responsible for:
- Solidify market position by strengthening the local team, instilling a culture of high performance and accountability.
- Develop and execute a customized vehicle sales strategy focused on scalable, competency-driven growth for the region.
- Drive the sales of customized vehicles and support cross-selling initiatives within the organization where applicable
- Spearhead the development of a core product portfolio and secure acceptance into key partner programs
- Manage, support, and grow relationships with existing customers; identify, map, and develop new customer opportunities across the region.
- Lead sales process and business development activities, including proposal efforts, project scoping, and solution development.
- Review market data to determine customer needs, pricing schedules, and volume discount rates; monitor competitor activities and offerings.
- Conduct and/or supervise regular market visits to meet partners/dealers and end customers; deliver sales presentations to key prospects and clients.
- Participate in government tenders related to large scale customized vehicle projects
- Contribute to the development of customized vehicles and complete fleet packages (e.g., service, leasing, maintenance, parts) to meet client requirements and differentiate from competition.
- Collaborate with engineering, program management, quality, manufacturing, purchasing, and other teams to define and deliver customer-responsive modification products.
- Supervise the Middle Eastern customized vehicles plant (in coordination with Global Manufacturing & Quality leadership) to ensure on-time, in-budget, quality delivery.
- Prepare regular sales reporting and performance analysis to drive growth and course-correct against targets.
- Provide leadership to sales and marketing teams to ensure they achieve annual performance objectives and increase their skills, knowledge and capabilities through coaching and individual development plans.
Experience
Essential
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, with an MBA preferable
- Successful track record leading a regional/global sales operation in the modified vehicle sector (e.g., cars, trucks, buses) and/or automotive fleet solutions.
- Direct experience with regional Automotive manufacturers, and a have a strong network to draw upon
- Experience working in the Middle Eastern region
- Commercial capability to develop and execute sales strategies, lead proposals, and drive market penetration.
- Comfortable managing a flexible schedule with regular overseas travel, sometimes at short notice.
Desirable
- Experience in building and scaling sales teams.
- Arabic, Spoken & Written
- Strong presentation skills and the ability to direct and motivate teams.
This role works closely with internal stakeholders including Sales, Manufacturing & Quality, and central support functions (HR, Finance, Logistics, Procurement, IT), while engaging externally with vehicle dealers/distributors, and a broad customer base (fleet, NGOs, embassies, government and corporate customers).
Regional travel in the Middle East, and periodic travel to Asia, including countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, is a requirement of the role.
