Regional F&I Manager – KwaZulu-Natal

About the role

A vacancy has arisen for a Regional F&I Manager in the KwaZulu-Natal region. The role is field-based and hands-on, operating between group F&I strategy and dealership execution, and is accountable for the region's second gross performance, F&I capability and F&I regulatory compliance. It covers all Halfway operations in KwaZulu-Natal (Kokstad, the South Coast, the Durban metro, Howick, Ballito, Richards Bay and Empangeni), about 600 km end to end.

Key responsibilities

• Grow regional second gross and second gross per unit, and lift VAPS penetration and mix across all sites, with Toyota retail sites as first priority
• Drive the group product suite, including MotoVantage, into every dealership and improve finance penetration at low-penetration sites
• Run monthly product and performance reviews with each F&I manager and Dealer Principal, and coach them on live deals
• Act as the region's named contact for every lender, work declines and marginal deals daily, negotiate rate, structure and concessions, and hold lenders to turnaround, approval rate and decline quality through quarterly reviews
• Maintain a current capability and succession picture, run regional training on products, structuring, objection handling and bank criteria, and host and mentor F&I graduate placements
• Maintain FAIS fit and proper status across the region (RE5, class of business, product training, CPD, supervision) and ensure every F&I representative is correctly appointed, competent and supervised
• Ensure file quality on disclosure, needs analysis, NCA affordability, FIC screening and digital verification, close prior audit findings, and monitor product suitability, cancellations and complaints
• Implement the group Vehicle Sales and F&I SOP, enforce Seriti capture discipline, own regional DOC accuracy and provide a monthly regional report to the Head of F&I
• Set up the F&I function at new KZN sites before trading, support ramp-up at new and satellite sites, and support group financial services initiatives affecting the dealership F&I desk

Required profile

• Matric; a relevant NQF Level 5 qualification in financial services, business or motor retail is preferred but not essential where experience is strong
• Valid, unendorsed Code B driver's licence; English, with IsiZulu a strong advantage
• Minimum five years as a dealership F&I manager with demonstrable second gross performance
• Proven working relationships with the KZN teams of major vehicle asset finance providers, and deep knowledge of warranty, service and maintenance plans, insurance, credit life and shortfall cover
• Multi-site, area or regional F&I experience, or a demonstrated F&I turnaround; franchise experience in Toyota, Ford or Chinese volume brands; taxi and commercial vehicle finance exposure
• Experience coaching or training other F&I managers, and ability to influence without authority in a field-based, largely unsupervised role

Required skills

• Seriti, dealer management systems, lender submission platforms and digital verification tools
• Vehicle asset finance credit assessment, deal structuring and reading declined applications
• Lender criteria, pricing and DIC mechanics, and FAIS, NCA, FICA and market conduct requirements
• F&I performance analysis using DOC and Seriti data