Ricky Downton
De Witt,NY
Summary
Collaborative leader with dedication to partnering with Highly motivated coworkers to promote engaged, empowering work culture. Documented strengths in building and maintaining relationships with diverse range of stakeholders in dynamic, fast-paced settings. I like enjoy finding solutions to what other may view as chaos. I do not believe in excuses and rather focus efforts on discussing solutions to push past and build upon our current state.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Manager of Product Planning
Hyundai Motor America
12.2022 - Current
- In charge of Product Planning support for North American Market on Elantra, Elantra N, IONIQ 6, IONIQ 5 N
- Participate in vehicle dynamics testing of both Hyundai vehicles and competitors in both real-world settings as well as on track performance driving
- Developed California Proving Ground experiential performance drive programs for several HMA departments to better understand our product line up in their intended testing scenarios
- Market research of competitor offerings to further enhance future HMA model development
- Cross training for various departments on Hyundai Product Knowledge
- Enhance SOP procedures through new hire process logging and file sharing
- Development of business case for new model offerings including high performance models
- Coordinate HMNA performance driving events
- Media presentation and auto show representation for HMNA
- Model accessory proposal based on market and competitor research
- Data analysis of market competitors using tools such as mTab, Tableau, Autoknowledge, SAP, Autosource, Bi Power, and DTS.
Assistant Chief Instructor /New Business Dev Lead
Porsche Experience Center Los Angeles
07.2021 - 12.2022
- Tasked with managerial decision making over PECLA daily operations and logistics
- Oversee management of training over new hires and current Porsche driving coaches
- Develop daily staffing schedules to meet daily customer demand using programs such as Excel, Microsoft Teams, and Tableau
- Project Lead for all new PECLA business initiatives and inventory.
- Responsible for creating new revenue generating drive programs in collaboration with Porsche Customer Experience Team and PCNA Marketing
- Co-developed the 'Academy' and 'Accelerated' Programs that are now a global blueprint for other Porsche Experience Centers
- Developed and implemented internal training concepts that add value to the overall customer experience and increase customer retention and drive repeat bookings
- Held cross departmental team trainings on Porsche Product Knowledge and driving theory to better elevate building wide customer experience resulting in increased sales and revenue
- Developed and implemented our first ever PECLA hand control drive program.
- Responsible for ensuring customer expectations and KPI's are met according to Porsche Cars North America guidelines
Project Buyer - Accessory Program Management
MOBIS Parts America
08.2019 - 07.2021
- Responsible for program management of technically complex vehicle accessories
- Management of domestic and international supplier relations, pricing negotiations and overseeing the internal program performance from RFQ to final product received at parts distribution centers
- Leveraged engineering knowledge to improve supplier pricing negotiations and aid in initial RFQ details
- Allowing for improvement of accurate quotations and development schedules
- Aid sales team in real world applications of proposed customer accessories resulting in transparent customer expectations and faster program approvals
- Co-developed additional revenue channel by reevaluating previously dropped accessories and working with management and suppliers to agree to terms and pricing that allows the programs to thrive
- Tasked with optimizing accessory tracking program with automated dashboard reporting.
New Vehicle Delivery Specialist I Certified Porsche Brand Ambassador
Porsche Experience Center Los Angeles
03.2018 - 07.2021
- Top selected coach for dealer referred customers looking to finalize or enhance their Porsche purchase
- #1 Coach in 2018 and 2019 for customer satisfaction reviews
- Selected by Porsche Cars North America management to become a globally certified Porsche Brand Ambassador to debut New Vehicle Delivery Program for Porsche Experience Center Los Angeles.
Porsche Driving Coach
Porsche Experience Center Los Angeles
06.2017 - 10.2024
- Provide in depth vehicle product knowledge demos and driver coaching to prospective Porsche customers, dealership personnel, corporate events, and everyday customers curious about the Porsche brand.
Service & Sales Advisor
BMW of North America Dealers
06.2016 - 05.2017
- Top selling advisor for maintenance items, tires, and wheel protection contracts through transparent selling and educational sales tactics for BMW of San Francisco
- Top performing advisor on Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) surveys averaging 97+% monthly rating
- Increased CSI score for BMW of Hawaii from 85% to a 97% within two months through transparent selling tactics resulting in additional dealership bonus incentives from BMW of North America.
Professional Driving Coach / Fleet Technician
Exotics Racing
08.2015 - 09.2016
- Provided product demos of performance features on luxury exotics vehicles while also developing client driving skills within a dynamic vehicle setting
- Promoted from a Tier 1 to a Tier 4 coach within 3 months of onboarding through continuous upselling of additional drive sessions and positive customer satisfaction reviews
- Lead operations of 2016 Los Angeles Auto show design layout and logistics
- Implemented preventative maintenance program decreasing vehicle downtime and increased revenue through additional cars available for booking.
Team Operations Lead I Professional Motorsports Technician
IMSA / Freedom Autosports / Team TGM
01.2013 - 10.2015
- Car Chief on #26 Mazda MX5 Freedom Autosport ST entry, finishing 2nd in 2015 Championship
- Manage racecar transporter, shop inventory, and oversee project to revise inventory management system
- Operations Lead for race weekend scheduling and training new team members on trackside procedures, pit crew technique and safety protocols
- Improve race results by conducting training for pit crew and safety resulting in an average of 6 second reduction in pit stop times
- Designed new inventory management system resulting in an estimated 50% reduction in transport cost and surplus inventory was sold to generate additional revenue for annual team budget.
Manager of Manufacturing and Sales I Operations Manager
Andretti Indoor Karting & Games
06.2009 - 10.2014
- Mangers of sales and technical support inquires
- Create website and coordinate logistics process setup
- Manage assembly and manufacturing teams
- Answer sales and technical support inquires
- Generated $390,000 in revenue within first 4 months of obtaining sales position through sales of 3 karting fleets including travel to customer facilities to custom tailor their kart fleet specific to endurance needs
- Created revolving kart refurbishing program for primary customer allowing them consistently refreshed karts without disrupting current operations resulting in 15% additional annual revenue
- Identified outsourcing opportunities to reduce manufacturing cost 30% and labor estimated 20%
- Proposed and implemented new indoor kart track design, enhanced barrier and track ventilation system using existing resources allowing for additional karts and configurations
- Identified outsourcing opportunities for manufacturing materials resulting in an estimated 30% reduction in manufacturing cost and an estimated 20% reduction in labor cost.
Motorsport Technician / Fabricator / Driver
OPM Autosports
01.2003 - 10.2014
- Motorsports technician and trackside operations lead for racing team.
- Professional fabricator and diagnostics lead
- Logistics transport driver, towing up to 53-foot race car haulers and trailers
Field Sales I Electronic Installation Technician
SouthWest Dealer Services
06.2004 - 06.2009
- Sales of vehicle GPS security devices in vehicles for automotive dealers across the Southeast region
- Managed office related tasks such as email inquiries, phone calls, inventory requests and technician scheduling
- Initiated sales calls, scheduled GPS installations, and managed weekly customer and dealer inquires
- Implemented field technician inventory management program based on technician location
- Provided technical support and field training to automotive dealers and new techs.
Education
Bachelor of Business Administration - BBA - Business Administration (Business Professional)
California State University, Fullerton
05.2025
Certificate - Lean Management Course
Lean Six Sigma Institute
09.2022
Bachelor of Business Administration for Transfer/ Associates - Business Administration and Management, General
Mendocino College
05.2020
Biomedical Technology Diploma - Biomedical/Medical Engineering/ Electrical Systems
Southern California Institute of Technology
05.2016
Skills
- Performance Driver Coaching
- Drive Event Design & Operations
- Media Relations
- Vehicle Dynamics
- New Business Development
- Logistics Management
- Mechanical Repair & Fabrication
- Customer & Corporate Presentations
- Team motivation
- Staff Training and Development
Timeline
Assistant Manager of Product Planning
Hyundai Motor America
12.2022 - Current
Assistant Chief Instructor /New Business Dev Lead
Porsche Experience Center Los Angeles
07.2021 - 12.2022
Project Buyer - Accessory Program Management
MOBIS Parts America
08.2019 - 07.2021
New Vehicle Delivery Specialist I Certified Porsche Brand Ambassador
Porsche Experience Center Los Angeles
03.2018 - 07.2021
Porsche Driving Coach
Porsche Experience Center Los Angeles
06.2017 - 10.2024
Service & Sales Advisor
BMW of North America Dealers
06.2016 - 05.2017
Professional Driving Coach / Fleet Technician
Exotics Racing
08.2015 - 09.2016
Team Operations Lead I Professional Motorsports Technician
IMSA / Freedom Autosports / Team TGM
01.2013 - 10.2015
Manager of Manufacturing and Sales I Operations Manager
Andretti Indoor Karting & Games
06.2009 - 10.2014
Field Sales I Electronic Installation Technician
SouthWest Dealer Services
06.2004 - 06.2009
Motorsport Technician / Fabricator / Driver
OPM Autosports
01.2003 - 10.2014
Bachelor of Business Administration for Transfer/ Associates - Business Administration and Management, General
Mendocino College
Biomedical Technology Diploma - Biomedical/Medical Engineering/ Electrical Systems
Southern California Institute of Technology
Bachelor of Business Administration - BBA - Business Administration (Business Professional)
California State University, Fullerton
Certificate - Lean Management Course
Lean Six Sigma Institute
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