Head of Vehicle Merchandising

Role Purpose

To lead and continuously improve the presentation of every vehicle advertised by Cartime, ensuring every car reaches the market quickly with exceptional photography, accurate specifications, complete service history, compelling descriptions and outstanding online presentation to maximise enquiries, stock turn and profitability.

Head of Vehicle Merchandising

Salary
£40,000\+ depending on experience

Location
Bury, Greater Manchester

Travel between company sites required.

About the Role

Cartime is one of the UK's fastest\-growing used car supermarkets, selling thousands of vehicles every year.

We're looking for someone who is obsessive about detail, presentation and speed.

Every vehicle we advertise should look better than our competitors.

You'll take ownership of every stage between a vehicle becoming retail\-ready and appearing online, ensuring every advert is complete, accurate, engaging and live as quickly as possible.

You'll lead the merchandising function across multiple sites and work closely with Preparation, Sales, Marketing and Operations.

Responsibilities Vehicle Presentation

• Own the presentation of every vehicle advertised by Cartime.


• Ensure every vehicle is photographed to the highest standard.


• Maintain consistent photography standards across every location.


• Audit image quality daily.


• Ensure every vehicle has the correct number of photographs.


• Ensure images highlight key selling features.


• Improve presentation standards continuously

Vehicle Specifications

• Ensure specifications are accurate.


• Verify optional extras.


• Check trim levels.


• Confirm equipment against manufacturer data.


• Highlight desirable factory options.


• Ensure every advert contains the correct information.

Service History \& Documentation

• Capture complete service history.


• Photograph service books where appropriate.


• Ensure maintenance records are uploaded.


• Verify handbook packs.


• Check spare keys.


• Ensure all documentation is available before advertising where possible.

Vehicle Descriptions

• Produce engaging, informative vehicle descriptions.


• Highlight key features.


• Explain optional equipment.


• Showcase vehicle condition.


• Ensure adverts are written to maximise customer enquiries.

Speed to Market

• Reduce time from preparation completion to live advert.


• Monitor daily turnaround times.


• Identify bottlenecks.


• Drive continual improvement.


• Report KPIs weekly.

Quality Control

Implement quality checks covering:

• Photography


• Vehicle specification


• Pricing


• Descriptions


• Service history


• Number of images


• Missing documentation


• Incorrect options


• Advert formatting

Team Leadership

• Manage photography and advert creation teams.


• Train colleagues.


• Develop standard operating procedures.


• Set quality standards.


• Conduct regular audits.


• Coach team members.

Performance Management

Measure and report:

• Time from prep completion to advert live


• Photography turnaround


• Vehicles awaiting advertising


• Missing service history


• Missing specifications


• Image quality scores


• Advert quality audits


• Online conversion metrics


• Stock age before first advert

Skills Required

We're looking for someone who:

• Has experience within automotive retail.


• Understands vehicle specifications.


• Has exceptional attention to detail.


• Understands online merchandising.


• Can manage people.


• Is organised.


• Can work at pace.


• Is commercially minded.


• Understands how presentation influences enquiry levels.


• Can analyse data and improve processes.

Desirable Experience

Experience in:

• Auto Trader


• Dealer Management Systems


• Vehicle merchandising


• Automotive photography


• Used car retail


• Digital marketing


• Vehicle preparation


• Stock management

What Success Looks Like

Within six months you will have:

• Reduced advert lead times.


• Improved image quality across every site.


• Eliminated inaccurate specifications.


• Standardised photography.


• Increased advert quality scores.


• Improved customer enquiries.


• Reduced average stock age.


• Built a best\-in\-class vehicle merchandising department.

Pay: From £40,000\.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company car


• Company events


• Cycle to work scheme


• Health \& wellbeing programme


• On\-site parking


• Private medical insurance

Work Location: In person

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