MD - Vehicle Rental, Leasing, Pre-owned Car Sales

Job description / Role

The Managing Director will be committed to providing inspirational and effective leadership while directing, administering, and coordinating all activities across the five brands toward the fulfillment of the values, mission, strategy, and the achievement of its annual goals and objectives.

To manage all business operations in the specified markets with full P&L responsibility. To manage sales, parts, service and rental across five brands. To develop businesses with customers while maintaining high levels of customer service, and to represent the business in the general community.

As a member of the Leadership Team – to contribute to commercial and strategic decision making in order that the business units achieve their annual objectives and KPI’s in a time bound manner. To identify new market opportunities and grow the business as per agreed business plans.

Position all five brands as a customer-centric brand with actively engaged employees that excel in customer service.

The incumbent is responsible and accountable for the overall operations of the following five brands :
- Hertz: in the UAE, the Hertz franchise is operated by Al-Futtaim Sons, part of Al-Futtaim Automotive. The group’s strong footing in the UAE auto industry has helped to ensure that the Hertz brand has retained its global number one ranking in the country’s vehicle rental and leasing market.
- Al-Futtaim Automall: established in 2001 and is the UAE’s largest retailer in the pre-owned car market.
- Al-Futtaim Vehicle Rental (AVR): is a specialized vehicle rental and leasing operation established in 2013 to be recognized as the number one provider of mobility solutions in Qatar.
- Thrifty Car Rental: is a franchised vehicle rental and leasing operation headquartered in Muscat and was acquired by Al-Futtaim in 2014. The aim is to enhance transportation solution for the customers in Oman by providing a 24/7 vehicle rental service.
- Firefly: the most affordable car rental company in the US and Europe, was launched in the UAE by Al-Futtaim Automative in 2014.

Requirements

- Bachelor of Science (BSc) or Bachelor of Arts (BA). MBA would be an advantage.
- 8 – 10 years Senior Management experience within a dynamic customer focused organisation, with knowledge and experience with rental, leasing and vehicle sales. An Arabic speaker is preferred in this role and regional experience would be a distinct advantage.

Job-Specific Skills:
- Visionary with a high level of intellect and a strategic thinker.
- Financial Accounting – fully conversant with all aspects of profit & loss and skill set associated with the running of a large entity.
- Able to employ and track KPI’s across the business units.

Behavioural Competencies:
- Exemplary team leadership & communication skills.
- Able to attract, motivate and develop a multi-cultural workforce
- Encourages transparency and openness whereby integrity is first and foremost.
- Customer-centric with fervent levels of employee engagement.

About the Company

Established in the 1930's, the Al-Futtaim Group initially operated as a trading enterprise. Rapid development throughout the 1940's and 50's saw it establish itself regionally as an integrated commercial, industrial and services organisation, positioning itself one of the leading business houses in the lower Gulf region. Today, it operates collectively over 40 companies bearing the Al-Futtaim name, dominates many market segments in the UAE, and has expanded its sphere of operation to include Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Egypt.

The Group comprises a diverse range of strategically positioned operating subsidiaries and associate companies, structured to give the Al-Futtaim Group the flexibility and versatility to keep ahead of local competition while keeping pace with the ever-evolving global business scenario. The Groups continued investment in world-class systems technology is clear evidence of its commitment to maintain leading edge performance and service delivery.

The success of the Al-Futtaim Group can be attributed to a business approach that combines the ability to change with the traditional values of integrity, service and social responsibility that define its core business philosophy. This, linked with the Groups belief in decentralisation, gives the heads of the operating companies a high degree of functional autonomy and authority, providing the Group with essential flexibility, and individual employees a clearly defined work culture and sense of responsibility.