Cluster Manager

Job Title: Cluster Manager

Reports to: Vredestein Business Head, India

Location: Gurgaon & Bangalore

Dimensions

Number of direct reports: 10-12

Purpose of the job

Vredestein is a premium 120-year-old European tyre brand acquired by Apollo Tyres in 2009. The brand today has a strong international as well as Indian presence. In India, it’s the only India-manufactured brand chosen by luxury OEMs like BMW and Mercedes to be fitted in their new cars. Vredestein is also the choice of brand for performance bikes like Royal Enfield Continental GT-50 and Triumph Speed 400.

As Vredestein continues to grow in both OEM and Replacement industry in India, the business is entering an exciting phase of growth and brand building. The ambition is to establish Vredestein as a leading premium tyre brand in the Indian market, creating a differentiated proposition for consumers, dealers and automotive partners while leveraging the strengths of its global heritage and Apollo Tyres' capabilities.

This role is responsible for delivering profitable growth in Vredestein PCR and 2W business in the assigned cluster by leading a team of KAMs, building a high-quality dealer network, driving consumer demand, partnering with logistics, marketing, commercial and other functions within ATL in order to build a scalable and sustainable premium tyre business in India.

Major Responsibilities

• Deliver cluster volume and revenue to achieve market-share objectives by translating the Vredestein business strategy into clear go-to-market plan and KAM priorities. Identify emerging market opportunities, competitive threats, customer insights and new business opportunities and convert them into actionable recommendations for the Vredestein Business Head.
• Build robust dealer network across priority markets by identifying the right dealers, ensuring quality onboarding, improving dealer productivity, and expanding market coverage, while driving commercial excellence across product mix, channel economics, inventory, receivables and trade investments.
• Lead KAMs for planning and operations to develop their respective markets through structured territory planning, dealer development, sales pipeline management, retail execution and achievement of market-specific objectives.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams , viz Supply Chain, Marketing, Network, Finance, Technical services (FTS), Logistics and other functions to ensure product availability, customer service, market execution and resolution of business-critical issues.
• Create consumer pull for Vredestein by working closely with Marketing and KAMs to translate brand strategy into relevant local market activations, digital initiatives, dealer-led activities and premium consumer experiences.
• Develop the capability and performance of the KAM team through regular reviews, coaching, field accompaniment, feedback and identification of future talent, in line with Apollo values

Skills & Knowledge

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE :

1. 10+ years of experience in sales, preferably in premium automotive, tyres (only international brands), consumer durables or other channel-led businesses
2. Demonstrated experience in building and managing dealer/distributor networks and delivering revenue and profitability targets
3. Experience in managing a sizeable frontline sales team
4. Strong understanding of premium consumer segments, channel economics and market development
5. Demonstrated entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to operate with ambiguity, take ownership, move with speed and build a business with limited precedent or established playbooks
6. Strong commercial orientation with the ability to understand and manage revenue, margins, pricing, inventory and working capital
7. Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally and influence stakeholders without direct authority
8. Affinity for spending significant time in-market with KAMs and customers

EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS :

Graduate in any discipline followed by an MBA / PGDM