VIA Program Manager
The VIA Program Manager is responsible for BMW Group profit through sales of BMW and MINI Accessories and related products through the Accessory Port Installation Program (VIA) to meet BMW Group annual sales targets.
The selected candidate is responsible for managing and growing the current business as well as introducing new products and services to meet dealer and customer demands. In addition, this position acts as the main liaison for the recently launch Accessory Installation Center in Greer, SC. The incumbent will be the key decision maker on new product offering, launching new programs within the VIA framework as well as working with the BMW & MINI Product Managers to ensure successful Special Edition Vehicle planning.
The VIA Program Manager will directly lead 1 VIA Program Specialist that acts as a support function within the team.
Key Responsibilities:
- Create and gain approval for business plans with controlling for product planning within all aspect of the Port installed Accessories program.
- Determine dealer and customer demands and introduce products to meet these market needs.
- Ensure a positive business case in line with Sales planning to reduce sales cost of sales to reduce group risk at end of vehicle lease.
- Responsible for working with product management from initial forecasting to sales targets and phase out of product lines.
- Evaluate and release product based on market analysis and trends.
- Ensure competitive product offerings and on-time market introduction.
- Manage product issues that arise with internal and external customers; Initiate actions with BMW AG and supplier as necessary.
- Review programs on periodic basis and implement improvements as required.
- Actively support the continued growth of business segments.
- Ensure timely product information for item within program, bulletins and overall communication is supplied to dealers and regions.
- Determine product assortment with input from Accessory Product Specialists, VDCs, Regions, Dealers and Customers.
- Ensure completion of product testing and applicability from Accessory Engineering group before adding new product to program.
- Coordinate with VIA administrator to create option codes, option naming, pricing, model applicability, start date, dealer order activation.
- Announce program and product changes to dealers via the Sales Roundtable, sales bulletins, PkoD, training classes, dealer meetings, regional/national conferences, etc.
- Work with Marketing and respective departments in BMW AG to ensure highlighted VIA products are listed on the BYO section of bmwusa.com.
- Advocate and promote the VIA program by attending dealer meetings, regional/national conferences, create marketing initiates; respond to media inquiries, etc.
- Interface with BMW AG (CA-22, CP-15, MG), US Parts Logistics and Accessory product managers to forecast demand and ensure availability of accessories without disruption of product offerings.
- Interface and travel to VDCs when necessary to meet with VDC management team to define strategic long-term program plans and facility/labor capacity.
- Establish contingency plans with VDCs in the event of reduced accessory installation capacity due to technical campaigns, increased wholesale targets, etc.
- Monitor and improve IT infrastructure that comprises VIA program. Increase ease of ordering through process improvement.
- Benchmark VIA program offerings vs other OEMs.
Join the BMW North America team and enjoy a high-performance Total Rewards package that may include:
- Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
- All with options for $0 Employee contribution
- 401(k) with Company match
- Retirement Income Account (RIA)
- Employee vehicle program
- Bonus eligibility
- Paid Parental Leave of up to 6 weeks
- Paid Time Off in addition to Company paid holidays where eligible
- Hybrid work environment
- Voluntary Benefits to fit your needs
The pay range for this role is: $105,213 - $123,780.
The selected candidate’s education, skills, experience, and location will be used to determine the final salary offer. All pay ranges are based on a full-time work schedule. This statement is in accordance with state and local pay disclosure requirements.
Even more so than the generous compensation and benefits, the culture and values of BMW of North America makes it the ultimate working environment. These values are Responsibility, Appreciation, Transparency, Trust, and Openness. We allow these values to guide the way we conduct ourselves and our business.
At BMW, we are driven by diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and are welcoming of all individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in marketing or business
- Experience of 5-7yrs in any of the following:
- BMW Group field or Dealer Management Experience
- Sales, Marketing or Project Management Experience
- Vehicle Distribution Center vehicle processing experience
Preferences:
- Master’s Degree
- Energetic and self-motivated
- Strong transformational leadership skills with ability to motivate, negotiate, convince, direct and discipline employees as necessary
- Excellent presentation/communication skills (written and verbal) with ability to effectively convey overall goals, sell ideas, programs, products, etc
- Strong sales and marketing background
- Knowledge of the internal BMW systems (ATLAS, COGNOS, CenterNet/DCSnet, ETK)
- Solid understanding of the Sales and Aftersales operations within the dealer network
- Finance and Analytic experience
- Knowledge of Accessory product portfolio
VIA Program Manager
