General Manager - Canada West Harvest Centre

Your role on our team:

The CWHC General Manager (GM) is responsible for providing strategic leadership, driving the sustained growth and profitability of a multi-store Agriculture Machinery Dealership chain within the assigned territory. The position consistently ensures the highest level of customer support and service to its customers. The role is responsible for leading a dealership brand and culture that is fully aligned with the CLAAS brand strategy. The GM has the necessary competencies to effectively manage multi-retail locations and is responsible for overall business planning and results including but not limited to: Cultivating processes to support equipment Sales (new and used), Parts & Service, appropriate inventory management, accounting & finance functions, management and development of dealership personnel, and safety. The role is responsible for developing relationships with key stakeholders and shareholders. 

 
•    Progressively manages the continued development of business processes to grow profitable Ag Dealership retail stores.
•    Responsible for the utilization of competencies to continually build and develop personnel in a flexible and functional multi-location organization. 
•    Responsible for retail revenues, as well as defining and implementing standards and methods for tactical growth in cooperation with Global CLAAS Retail leadership. 
•    Ensures control and management of operating expenses, including budget responsibility.
•    Manages after sales support to CWHC / CLAAS retail customer base, ensures after sales service is above peer groups, “Best in Class.”
•    Analyzes and identifies gaps and develops / implements appropriate strategies with the intention of strengthening, optimizing, and expanding business options.
•    Acts as a change agent to align and execute business decisions and / or relationships in accordance with the Global CLAAS Retail business strategy.
•    Performs “go to market” analysis of business regions with the intention of aggressively increasing market penetration and brand awareness.
•    Monitors appropriate CWHC / CLAAS branding and corporate identity within CWHC / CLAAS Retail to ensure that the brand image is successfully transported into the market with maximum impact.
•    In cooperation with North America Human Resources, hires, trains, develops, and appraises staff effectively. Identify employees’ skills and develop them by coaching and counseling on a regular basis. Conducts performance appraisals timely and provides continual feedback on performance. Take timely corrective action as necessary and in accordance with company policies. Works with the North America Human Resource Department to handle disciplinary matters, grievance resolutions, and other personnel related issues.

Note: This position includes frequent travel by auto; valid driver’s license with a verifiably safe driving history is required. Will require overnight travel and weekend or evening work.

Your profile:

•    Bachelors’ degree in Business Administration, Ag Economics, or related field desired, or equivalent work experience.  Masters’ in Business Administration, preferred, not required.
•    Minimum of 7-10 years of related work experience in running and growing retail operations within relevant industry sectors.
•    Excellent sales / networking and negotiation capability with the innate ability to persuade and influence others.  
•    Business and sales minded with practical industry experience and knowledge of captive dealer network, required.
•    Experience and proven success in optimizing dealer performance and network impact and sales growth.
•    Strong understanding of parts and service department functions and how they contribute to store profitability and customer satisfaction. 
•    Strategically minded, process driven, analytical change agent and decision maker with a clear vision and the ability to implement improvement measures directly affecting dealer performance.
•    Minimum of five years’ leading both exempt and non-exempt level employees; experience in team supervision and management as well as training and staff development; demonstrated ability to lead and motivate others. Ability to give employee feedback in verbal and written form succinctly and timely.
•    Exceptional project management skills with a strong track record of success in managing multiple projects.
•    Excellent change management skills – enjoys new challenges, displays pro-active behavior, self-motivated and ownership of tasks.
•    Ability to effectively conduct presentations / public speaking.
•    Proven ability to successfully launch new product lines into market. 
•    Proven customer relationship management skills. 
•    Ability to read and interpret financial statements.
•    Knowledge of local, regional and national regulations for business practices, employment, and safety.
•    Farm background preferred, not required.