MICHAEL VANDERPLOW
Summary
Professional, imaginative, and innovative managerial candidate with deep understanding of operational excellence and team leadership. Proven ability to drive growth and enhance productivity through strategic planning and effective resource management. Emphasizes collaboration and adaptability to meet organizational goals, showcasing excellent problem-solving and decision-making abilities. Broad-based experience in leading the profit centers of diverse sized retail automobile dealerships in a manner consistent with the company's values and business image.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
General Manager
Betten Baker Ford of Ludington
03.2023 - 04.2024
- Implemented the 'Four Core and Two Absolutes' as a system of ideas that inspire decisions and the foundation of the dealership culture
- Gained, through coaching and leadership, the buy-in(s) required to implement the growth strategy for used vehicle sales, wholesaling, and reconditioning
- Identified and removed roadblocks and bottlenecks to increase sales and productivity
- Corrected the new and used vehicle sales/follow up process which resulted in an increase in the closing percentage from 31% to 59%
- Monitored and maintained pre-owned vehicle department KPIs for net profit and PVR. to propel the department into a top performer in the auto group.
- Identified and corrected the short falls in data and its accumulation to provide accurate information to assist in making well informed decisions
- Review the financial statement and realigned the posting of expenses to provide accurate information
General Manager
Preferred Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of Grand Haven
01.2013 - 03.2023
- Developed high quality business strategies and plans while insuring strategy alignment with objectives
- Mentored and interacted with team members, at all levels, to foster development and growth
- Increased customer retention for sales and service
- Maximized successes and gross profit by a complete understanding of the manufacturer's programs and incentives
- Ensured monthly sales budget was achieved by monitoring the activities necessary to sell
- Monitored used vehicles days supply, average age, inventory over 45 days, and turn rate to drive successes and pre-owned sales
- Increased Service Department gross profit by 400%
- Maintained a Fixed Absorption between 87% - 97% and promoted its importance with team leaders
- Foresaw the importance and created a technician apprentice program
Consultant / Executive Manager
Bill Kay Auto Group
01.2012 - 01.2014
- Developed detailed comprehensive sale forecast for 2013 for New, Used and Finance Departments
- Evaluated processes, identified short-falls, and provided solutions adaptable to the dealership's composition
- Worked with Dealer Principle and CFO to establish processes to meet or exceed issues of compliance
- Identified front end and back-end profit opportunities, derived from previous experience, to enable a $480 PVR profit increase
- Provided a marketing/advertising plan to counter continued pricing pressure without any meaningful increase in spending
- Designed current processes for Finance Department: Menu design/implementation, products per retail, and necessary training to achieve a 14%+ increase
- Composed compensation plans to align with dealership objectives
Franchise Development - Sales and Fixed Operations / Consultant
Gerald Subaru and Kia of Naperville
01.2010 - 01.2012
- Conceived and developed, in collaboration with all management, a business model to align sales and financial strategies to meet manufactures objectives and dealership internal targets in a rising competitive environment
- Exceeded Dealer/Operator retail unit forecast by 15.2% and gross profit by 13.7%
- Successfully advanced Kia retail sales from a monthly average of 35 to 90-100 cars per month
- Prompted changes in management's over-all strategy with regards to used vehicle sales, wholesale, and reconditioning
General Manager
Bill Jacobs Kia and Subaru
01.2007 - 01.2010
General Sales Manager
Bill Kay Chevrolet
01.2005 - 01.2007
Finance Director
Phillips Chevrolet
01.1996 - 01.2005
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration and Finance/Accounting/Economics
Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IllinoisMaster of Business Administration Program - Finance / Capital Budgeting / Economics
Loyola University
Chicago, IllinoisSkills
- Leadership Development
- Strategic Development
- Budgeting / Forcasting
- Revenue Enhancement
- Operational Efficiency Management
- Competitive Market Evaluation
- Digital Advertising Expertise
- Finance and Insurance
- Inventory Control
- Conflict Resolution
Training
- Michigan and Illinois Auto Law
- NCMI Fixed Operations Boot Camp
- NCMI Sales and Service Professional
- NADA - Partnership for Success
- Hispanic Marketing - The Culture
- AFIP Certified (Association of Finance & Insurance Professionals)
Timeline
General Manager
Betten Baker Ford of Ludington
03.2023 - 04.2024
General Manager
Preferred Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of Grand Haven
01.2013 - 03.2023
Consultant / Executive Manager
Bill Kay Auto Group
01.2012 - 01.2014
Franchise Development - Sales and Fixed Operations / Consultant
Gerald Subaru and Kia of Naperville
01.2010 - 01.2012
General Manager
Bill Jacobs Kia and Subaru
01.2007 - 01.2010
General Sales Manager
Bill Kay Chevrolet
01.2005 - 01.2007
Finance Director
Phillips Chevrolet
01.1996 - 01.2005
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration and Finance/Accounting/Economics
Elmhurst College
Master of Business Administration Program - Finance / Capital Budgeting / Economics
Loyola University
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