Dealer Management System SME

Hello,

We have an opening for the role mentioned below. Please review the job description and let me know if it aligns with your experience and interests. If so, kindly share your updated resume. Thank you.

 

Engagement Type: Contract (3–4 months)
Location: Greater Chicago Area preferred (remote acceptable with travel)
Travel: Occasional travel to client site required
 

 

Role Overview

A leading RV Distributor, in partnership with Our implementation partner, is undertaking a major modernization of its Dealer Management System (DMS) platform. We are seeking a senior, hands-on Dealer Management System Subject Matter Expert (SME) to work embedded within the Our implementation partner delivery and architecture teams during the Discovery and Blueprinting phases.

This role carries formal decision authority. The DMS SME will be accountable for validating, challenging, and signing off on module-level Build / Buy / Hybrid recommendations across an end-to-end DMS landscape, ensuring decisions are grounded in industry best practices, regulatory realities, and long-term scalability.

This is not an advisory-only role. The successful candidate will operate as a trusted authority across our Client's leadership, Our implementation partner solution teams, and executive stakeholders.

 

Key Responsibilities

DMS Strategy & Decision Ownership

• Act as the embedded DMS authority within Our implementation partner-led discovery and design teams.
• Provide formal sign-off on module-level Build / Buy / Hybrid decisions across the full DMS footprint.
• Ensure decisions align to a build-first strategy, with selective buy decisions driven by regulatory, compliance, or commoditized capabilities (e.g., tax engines, statutory reporting). 

Fit-Gap & Architecture Validation

• Validate and challenge Our implementation partner’s fit/gap assessments across all DMS modules.
• Ensure functional and technical recommendations reflect real-world dealer operations, not just system capabilities.
• Identify over-customization risks and highlight areas where buying or configuring packaged solutions is strategically justified.

Vendor & Capability Evaluation

• Lead or support vendor capability comparisons where Buy or Buy+Configure options are considered.
• Assess trade-offs across cost, complexity, compliance risk, scalability, and long-term ownership.
• Clearly articulate and defend recommendations to both technical and executive audiences.

Executive & Governance Support

• Validate (not author) executive-ready decision decks and POVs produced by the broader team.
• Participate in ongoing sign-off checkpoints during Discovery and Blueprinting.
• Engage directly with:
  • Client business leadership
  • Client IT and Architecture
  • Our implementation partner solution and delivery leadership
  • Steering Committee and executive sponsors 

 

Scope of Responsibility (End-to-End DMS)

The SME is expected to bring credible, hands-on experience across the full dealer lifecycle, including but not limited to:

• Sales, Digital Retailing, CRM, F&I / Desking
• Inventory & Unit Lifecycle Management
• Service, Parts, Warranty Operations
• Dealer Accounting, Finance, and Compliance
• Reporting, Analytics, and Integrations

 

Ways of Working

• Engagement model: Fully embedded with Our implementation partner delivery teams
• Cadence: Daily collaboration
• Time allocation:
  • ~20% client-facing workshops
  • ~80% working sessions with delivery, architecture, and functional teams
• Location:
  • Greater Chicago Area strongly preferred
  • Remote acceptable with periodic onsite travel to client locations

 

Required Experience & Profile

Core Requirements

• 15+ years of experience working with Dealer Management Systems in large dealer network environments.
• Strong automotive retail background (RV industry experience is a plus; heavy equipment experiences acceptable but not required).
• Proven experience making and defending Build vs Buy decisions in complex, regulated domains.
• Deep understanding of:
  • Dealer operations
  • Compliance-driven modules (e.g., tax, statutory reporting)
  • Scaled, multi-location dealer environments

Ideal Background

• Former or current:
  • DMS product leader
  • Dealer group CIO / CTO / VP IT
  • Principal or Partner-level industry consultant
• Comfortable operating at both:
  • Deep working-session level with architects and functional SMEs
  • Executive level with business and IT leadership

 

Success Criteria (What “Good” Looks Like)

Within the first 30–60 days, the DMS SME will have:

• Clearly validated and signed off on module-level Build / Buy / Hybrid decisions
• Helped the program avoid:
  • Over-customization in compliance-heavy domains
  • Underspecified build decisions in differentiating capabilities
• Earned trust as the final authority on DMS design choices across stakeholders

 

 

 

USA • Canada • Mexico Costa Rica • India

Thanks & Regards, Chandrika Nannam US IT Recruiter | Vivid Soft Global Phone: +1- Ext: 221 Email: HQ: 6000 Venture Dr, Ste C-D, Dublin, OH-43017, USA Website: |

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VSG is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, age, disability, military status, national origin, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or applicable local law.

 

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