Job Description

Overview of the Role
This new role is key to aligning commercial strategies with business unit objectives; enhancing competitiveness, maximizing profitability through informed product positioning and pricing, thereby reducing Auto Division's tactical spending. A commercially savvy Category Specialist this individual will assist the Head of Product & Pricing to more efficiently manage tactical spend, business unit VME proposals and provide product profitability analysis to support data-driven/fast paced decision-making and cross-functional collaboration. This role is responsible for end-to-end planning, execution, and monitoring of vehicle discount schemes, Variable Marketing Expenditure (VME), and pricing strategies.
What You Will Do
Discount & VME Management/Control:

• Manage the monthly and quarterly VME budgeting process with Dealer Brands and Divisional stakeholders.

• Implement channel and regional VME programs across dealers.

• Track campaign effectiveness, sales incrementality, ROI, and customer uptake.

• Ensure alignment of VME with overall sales, inventory and margin objectives.

• Monitor the implementation of VME and adherence to guidelines.

Chain margin/Price Management:

• Advise Head of Product & Pricing and wider team to develop pricing strategies for new and existing vehicle models, including MSRP and tactical pricing.

• Analyse competitor pricing trends from market research and recommend tactical adjustments.

• Collaborate with finance, sales, and product teams to review margin structures and propose pricing strategies to maximize revenue and market share / protect against sales risks.

• Analyse and recommend periodic price positioning reviews based on market conditions, exchange rates, and cost fluctuations.

• Ensure pricing integrity across all channels

• Monitor, report and advise on chain margin across vehicle range and lifecycle.

Product Management Support:

• Collaborate with Product/Pricing team and brands teams to influence product specifications based on market needs and competitive benchmarking.

• Support Head of Product & Pricing in lifecycle management activities, such as product introductions, phase-outs, and variant planning.

• Support Head of Product & Pricing to analyse product performance by trim, engine, or feature level to support decision-making on product mix optimization.

Reporting and Analytics:

• Develop dashboards in conjunction with the Performance team and tools to track VME spend, pricing effectiveness, and tactical schemes utilization.

• Perform variance analysis and scenario modelling.

• Support forecasting processes and elasticities for VME and pricing impact on sales and profitability.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Liaise regularly with Brands to align on pricing, VME, and product strategies.

• Collaborate with internal teams including Sales, Product & Pricing, Central Planning, Central Finance and Marketing to ensure cohesive execution of commercial strategies.

• Act as the key point of contact for business units and their dealers on matters related to VME programs and pricing.

• Ensure clear communication and documentation of pricing updates, campaign mechanics, and VME guidelines.

• Support/advise leadership with insights and presentations for strategic decision-making for business unit OEM negotiations