Role Overview
We are seeking an experienced Tires Manager to lead and optimize tyre centre operations within the automotive sector. This senior-level position demands a seasoned professional with 10–20 years of hands-on experience in tyre management, inventory control, and operational leadership. The role offers the opportunity to oversee end-to-end tyre service delivery, manage high-value inventory, and drive performance across a dynamic automotive environment. Candidates based both inside and outside Kuwait are encouraged to apply.
Core Responsibilities
- Direct and supervise daily tyre centre operations, ensuring seamless workflow from receiving to installation and customer handover.
- Develop and implement inventory management strategies to maintain optimal stock levels, minimize shrinkage, and maximize turnover of tyre SKUs across multiple brands and specifications.
- Lead a team of tyre technicians and service advisors, providing technical guidance, training, and performance management to uphold service quality and safety standards.
- Establish and monitor KPIs for operational efficiency, including fitment accuracy, service turnaround time, warranty claim rates, and customer satisfaction scores.
- Manage vendor relationships and procurement negotiations with major tyre manufacturers and distributors to secure competitive pricing, priority allocation, and favorable payment terms.
- Oversee equipment maintenance programs for tyre changers, wheel balancers, alignment systems, and nitrogen inflation units to ensure maximum uptime and compliance with OEM specifications.
- Ensure strict adherence to health, safety, and environmental regulations specific to tyre handling, storage, and disposal of used tyres.
- Analyze sales and service data to identify trends, forecast demand, and recommend assortment planning adjustments by vehicle segment, season, and regional preference.
- Collaborate with automotive service departments to integrate tyre services into broader maintenance packages and promotional campaigns.
- Prepare and manage the annual operating budget for the tyre division, controlling costs across labor, inventory, equipment, and consumables.
Required Qualifications
- 10–20 years of progressive experience in tyre management, automotive aftermarket operations, or related technical retail management.
- Proven track record managing tyre centre or automotive service centre operations with full P&L accountability.
- Deep technical knowledge of tyre construction, specifications, load/speed ratings, run-flat technology, TPMS integration, and OEM fitment requirements across passenger, SUV, light truck, and commercial segments.
- Demonstrated expertise in inventory optimization, demand forecasting, and supply chain coordination within the tyre distribution network.
- Strong leadership experience with team sizes of 10+ technicians and service staff, including recruitment, scheduling, certification tracking, and succession planning.
- Proficiency with workshop management systems (WMS), ERP platforms (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics), and POS integration for real-time inventory and sales visibility.
- Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel between locations as required.
Preferred Skills & Competencies
- Certification from recognized bodies such as TIA (Tire Industry Association), ASE (Automotive Service Excellence), or manufacturer-specific training programs (Michelin, Bridgestone, Continental, Goodyear, Pirelli).
- Experience with fleet tyre management programs including retread analysis, casing asset tracking, and cost-per-mile reporting.
- Familiarity with Kuwait market dynamics, GCC regulatory environment, and Arabic-language business communication (advantageous but not mandatory).
- Background in multi-site operations or regional management across the Middle East automotive aftermarket.
- Data-driven decision-making supported by advanced Excel, Power BI, or Tableau for operational dashboards.
What Makes This Role Unique
This position sits at the intersection of technical automotive expertise and senior operational leadership. Unlike generic retail management roles, the Tires Manager must command deep product knowledge across evolving tyre technologies — from EV-specific low-rolling-resistance compounds to high-performance UHP fitments and commercial radial programs. The role offers full operational autonomy within a high-margin, recession-resilient segment of the automotive aftermarket. Success is measured not just by volume, but by precision in fitment, mastery of inventory velocity, and elevation of technical service standards. For the right candidate, this is a platform to shape the benchmark for tyre service excellence in the region.