Job Description
The Configuration Optimization Manager leads the first analytical workstream delivering margin improvement across the CDJR portfolio, identifying opportunities with immediate effect.
This role is responsible for assessing market/segment sales/price distribution, competitive content application, as well as internal content configuration mix and price positioning. The team evaluates current sales performance based on overall volume/share, days to sell, incentive spend/efficiency, gross and net margin contribution. They identify configurations to eliminate and/or create, to streamline dealer ordering and optimize stock with best-fit vehicles, proven to sell faster and make the right vehicle, at the right price available to more customers.
This role manages a team of 4 analysts, specializing in product, competitive benchmarking, market intelligence and dealer ordering. They are the primary VCO liaison to Brand Operations, Product Planning, Dealer Network and Brand Finance. They present recommendations to senior stakeholders, articulate and defend the methodology under pressure and drive proposed changes into action.
KEY RESPONSIBILITI
Lead Configuration Optimization gameplan:
- Scale optimization framework model across CDJR portfolio
- Create and maintain program timing schedule to enable feasible timing of configuration recommendations to be executed
- Partner with Brand Operations stakeholders to vet and action recommendations
Build and manage the Configuration Optimization team:
- Directly manage 4 analysts across product, competitive benchmarking, market intelligence and dealer ordering, incentive-content interaction. Define workstreams, set output standards, review all analytical work before it leaves the team, and develop analyst capability over time.
Drive DMA-level performance diagnosis:
- Lead the local market performance diagnostic capability — sales volume, mix, days to sell, and incentive spend analyzed by configuration at the DMA level
- Identify market-specific patterns that national averages mask
- Establish the repeating monthly cadence that makes this a permanent operating discipline rather than a one-off project
Incentive Efficiency:
- Quantify excess incentive spend driven by longer days to sell due to least-fit configurations