Model Line Business Manager

Date: Sep 28, 2024

Location: Irvine, California, US, 92606

Company: Kia America, Inc.

At Kia, we’re creating award-winning products and redefining what value means in the automotive industry. It takes a special group of individuals to do what we do, and we do it together. Our culture is fast-paced, collaborative, and innovative. Our people thrive on thinking differently and challenging the status quo. We are creating something special here, a culture of learning and opportunity, where you can help Kia achieve big things and most importantly, feel passionate and connected to your work every day.

Kia provides team members with competitive benefits including premium paid medical, dental and vision coverage for you and your dependents, 401(k) plan matching of 100% up to 6% of the salary deferral, and paid time off. Kia also offers company lease and purchase programs, company-wide holiday shutdown, paid volunteer hours, and premium lifestyle amenities at our corporate campus in Irvine, California.

Status

Exempt

Summary

The Model Line Business Manager will act as the vehicle’s chief advocate, championing and marshaling resources to support, promote and strengthen the model for maximum marketplace success and profitability.   As the “go to person” for the assigned model, you will need to maintain comprehensive knowledge of the vehicle, its target customers, dealer engagement levels and the competitive segment marketplace dynamics so as to provide input for collaborative development of the near-term sales, marketing and product plans.  Key responsibilities include managing the model revenue, becoming the messaging subject matter expert across all media channels and providing strategic and tactical input for developing and executing the sales and marketing plan. The Manager will generally be responsible up to three assigned vehicle lines with focus on 12 forward-looking months.  

Major Responsibilities

1st Priority - 15%

Expertise: Maintain continuous, 360-degree understanding of assigned models' marketplace dynamics, trends, target customers behavior, key competitors, dealer engagement levels, model features/specs and advantages / vulnerabilities. 

2nd Priority - 25%

Business Unit Management:  Collaborate with Sales and Marketing in jointly setting the quantitative and qualitative objectives for each model; and in identifying the key product, marketing and sales programs required to achieve the set objectives.

3rd Priority - 25%

Market Messaging:  As vehicle messaging ‘owner’, collaborate with Marketing to ensure product concept, positioning, key attributes/competitive advantages are clearly communicated and with consistency throughout.

4th Priority - 15%

Product: Collaborate with Product Planning and Product Quality to provide immediate and upstream input (up to 18 months prior to new model year change over) so as to ensure assigned product meets Sales and Marketing channel marketplace needs.

5th Priority - 15%

Sales Operations: Operate closely with field leadership to collaborate, manage and optimize media messaging and provide strategic/ tactical inputs to drive the monthly go-to-market plan. 

6th Priority - 5%

Training: Collaborate with Sales Training team to ensure key product points / competitive advantages are clearly communicated (ensure consistency with key marketing messages, positioning, proper competitor comparisons used).

 

Education/Certification

  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
  • Master’s degree in business or related field preferred          

Overall Experience

  • 7-10 years OEM Marketing, Sales Operations or Field Sales Experience required.

Directly Related Experience

Position Requirements: 

  • Ability to quickly react to and manage change
  • Ability to work well with cross-functional teams
  • Ability to effectively manage multiple assignments
  • Occasional travel may be required domestically and/or internationally 

Skills

Utilizes sound judgment and decision making processes.
Highly organized with strong time management skills
Ability to solve multi-dimensional / cross-discipline problems
Familiarity with industry data tools, including J.D. Power PIN, Jato, MTAB, and S&P preferred.
Well-developed presentation skills
Ability to clearly convey (written and oral) learnings as well as recommendation that will results towards action.
Understand basic concepts of automotive product marketing strategies in all aspects of integrated marketing communications, reporting, measurement.
Ability to uncover operational gaps by examination of process and project progression.

Competencies

Care for People
Empower People to Act
Chase Excellence, Every Day
Move Further, Together
Dare to Push Boundaries

Pay Range

$101,964 - $141,748

Pay will be based on several variables that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to, job-related skills, experience, relevant education or training, etc.

 

Equal Employment Opportunities

KUS provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, including pregnancy and childbirth and related medical conditions, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, legally protected physical disability or mental disability, legally protected medical condition, marital status, sexual orientation, family care or medical leave status, protected veteran or military status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.  KUS complies with applicable law governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which KUS has offices.  The KUS EEO policy applies to all areas of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, compensation, benefits, discipline, termination and all other privileges, terms and conditions of employment.

 

Disclaimer:  The above information on this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification and for this position.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.


Nearest Major Market: Irvine California
Nearest Secondary Market: Los Angeles

Job Segment: Marketing Manager, Product Marketing, Marketing Communications, Communications, Business Manager, Marketing, Management