Accessory Experience Specialist - Houston, TX

Title:  Accessory Experience Specialist 

Location: Houston, TX, US

Job Type: Full-time with Benefits    

Who We Are:  

For more than 25 years, MSX International has been a dedicated partner to leading automotive brands around the world. We support them in transforming their businesses and in managing their operations across the areas of Customer Experience, Repair Optimization, Learning and Insights. We focus on helping our clients generate more value for their customers. With over 5,000 employees based in more than 80 countries worldwide, our teams provide industry-leading expertise. We have combined our deep industry expertise with cutting-edge technology solutions to help our automotive clients increase revenue and reduce costs, while enhancing operational efficiency and improving customer satisfaction.  Our goal is to help our customers reach their full potential and to excel as their global partner of choice.  

Summary

The Accessory Experience Specialist (AES) reports to the Ford Vehicle Personalization General Office in Allen Park, Michigan. The AES will function as account manager, subject matter expert, help desk, and trainer/presenter. Troubleshooting, solving issues throughout the accessory distribution and fulfillment process – from production to customer delivery. The AES provides support to the Ford Authorized Distributors, Dealers, and the Market Area Field Teams – Sales and Service. As owner of the FAD, Dealer and Market relationship, the AES will develop chain specific joint business plans to maximize accessory distribution, volume and overall share while developing solutions to address problems and opportunities.

• Dealer Installed Options (DIO)
• Dealer Channel
• eCommerce

Day to Day Responsibilities  

Daily Support - Ford Authorized Distributors (FAD), Dealers, and Market Area Teams.

• Build long-term relationships with FAD, Dealer and Market Area Teams and serve as the first contact person on behalf of the Ford Vehicle Personalization Team.
• Resolve issues promptly and prevent escalation of issues.
• Identifying bottlenecks and providing customized solutions – going the extra mile, every day.
• Acting as liaison between FAD, Dealer and Market Area Team to communicate information, ensure understanding, and make certain everything gets done in an accurate, timely manner.
• Keeping up on all Ford programs, products, processes, platforms that will affect the FAD, Dealer and Market Area Team that relates to accessories. (Subject Matter Expert)
• Provide FAD, Dealer, Market level intelligence monthly to Ford Vehicle Personalization Leadership to include information regarding best practices, emerging consumer behavior and consumption patterns.
• Facilitate workshops and lead meetings (in person or online) to ensure transparency and establish relationships.
• Pivot to new assignments as directed by the Ford General Office – from eCommerce operational support, dealership front-end sales training and FAD Ford brand immersion onboarding.
• Providing analytic support when needed from Ford dashboards to best practice sharing from other Markets. (Raw data and canned reports provided – majority of the analysis will be created by the AES)
• Collect, compile, analyze and interpret data to provide actionable insights on FAD, Ford Market and Dealer behavior to guide decision making.
• Solution-oriented with the ability to shape thinking around how existing processes, practices, and protocols could / should be changed to improve efficiency.

What you bring

• Familiarity with the following automotive operations:  Manufacturer, installer, wholesale, ecommerce fulfillment, dealership parts & service departments and dealer front-end sales.
• Ability to work on multiple tasks and projects at one time.
• Understands automobile dealer operations – Sales, Service and Parts. Primary focus is the front end of the dealer (Sales Department).
• Applicable aftermarket accessory distributor experience – operations and sales.
• Minimum of five years professional experience in automotive accessories distribution and/or in dealership or consulting.
• Accessory acumen and financial awareness.

• Proficiency with PC and Microsoft applications 2019 and above including Outlook, Excel, Word, and Power Point presentations.
• Proficient with excel and pivot tables without support.

• Self-starter with ability to work under minimal supervision.
• Hand Raiser – not afraid to ask questions and is excited about continuous learning.
• Strong interest in technology – You are always learning new technology and agility at learning new products and features. 
• A data-driven decision maker — You've got solid analytical skills with the ability to analyze and interpret data to deliver insights that optimize business performance.

• Accessory distribution and fulfilment thought leader — You're deeply knowledgeable about the latest industry trends, best practices, software, and tools and leverage those insights.
• Minimum of five years professional experience in automotive accessories distribution and/or in dealership or consulting.
• Must possess excellent communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.

• Ability to perform SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, Threat) analysis of current operating practices and develop a comprehensive action plan based on findings.
• Ability to execute outlined program components such as training, reporting, merchandising, marketing, group facilitation and product demonstration abilities.
• Possess the physical capabilities necessary to accomplish the tasks assigned to the program including but not limited to; assembling merchandising displays, delivery of training materials, multi-day travel, extended periods of physical activity during training seminars and ability to lift a minimum of 50 lbs. without sustaining injury.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship, now or at any time in the future.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Position is full-time.
• Frequent overnight travel required, estimated 50%
• Able to accommodate working from a home office or remote location.

MSXI is committed to employing a diverse workforce. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or disability.

Please note, MSXI did not provide any salary data for this position. If there is a salary range included in the posting the data was estimated by the job posting site and does not reflect our company's actual salary ranges. Actual starting salaries are determined based on job requirements and level of experience.

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