Ben Kotobalavu
Sans Souci,NSW
Summary
Sales Manager with a proven record at Dutton One, increasing monthly sales from 15 to 42 vehicles. Skilled in deal negotiation and customer relationship management, driving teams to exceed targets and boost profitability. Leadership cultivates strong client connections, leading to consistent 5-star Google reviews.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Sales Manager
Dutton One Caringbah
Caringbah, NSW
06.2022 - 06.2025
- I was hired in June 2022 to work at the D1 Mascot Branch as a Senior Sales Consultant because the Caringbah Dealership was being built and the plan was for me to Manage that site, as my residence is in Sans Souci. There were building and Council delays so I was at Mascot until January 2023. I was then asked to transfer to assist our Chatswood office as there was a need to bolster their Sales Team. In April I was then asked to take over and become the Sales Manager at our Brookvale site as they were under performing which we managed to turn around from 10-12 sales a month to 25-28 sales a month with 1 other Sales person.Our Warranty and Finance penetration also improved to between 25 - 30%.
- Finally in mid July, Caringbah was completed. With 1 sales person and some additional help from upper Management we set the site up from an an empty shell to a fully functioning dealership.
- We grew the business from 15 retail cars sold in the 1st month (August 2023) to 42 cars retailed in November 2024 with a total Gross Profit of $380K including Finance, Warranty and Internal loads of $2,250 per car.
- The reason that I left Dutton One after 3 years is that, in that period we have had 8 different GM's and the last GM reduced our inventory level from 50-55 cars down to 20 cars in April 2025 with the plan of grossing more per car. Immediately the business suffered heavily and I resigned.
- We as a sales team built strong relationships with clients, striving for and achieving totally satisfied clients with repeat business and refferals.
- Our Google reviews since day one have all been 5 Star with 141 reviews to date.
- I managed daily operations of the sales department, as well as supervision of Administration and 1 Yard person.
- Initially I was able to buy stock from local customers wanting to sell their cars and then with each new GM the rules changed, however my Data comparisons utilisinging Live Market and experience allowed us to to be number 1 in NSW with 5 Dealerships and moving between 2 & 3rd place monthly with 18 Dealerships nationally.
- Led sales team to achieve monthly targets through effective communication.
- We resolved customer complaints if any, very early so we rarely had any escalations.
- We grew strong professional relationships with suppliers and key clients to drive long-term business development.
- Collaborated with marketing to create promotional campaigns that drove interest.
- Achieved company growth and brand development through market expansion and sales.
Senior Sales Consultant
Prestige Auto Traders
180 Mullins Street, Rozelle
11.2015 - 06.2022
- I personally sold and delivered between 15 and 25 cars per month for Gross Profit of between $5,000 and $7,000 per car.
- Whilst providing the best service and product knowledge, my Google Reviews averaged 4.5 stars.
- Our inventory covered Audi, Bentley, BMW, Ferrari, Land Rover, Lamborghini, Mercedes Benz, Porsche, Rolls Royce, VW, Volvo and anything in between, so regular Product Knowledge training was carried out daily between Sales Staff and Management as new cars arrived.
- Carsales, Autogate and Livemarket was used daily for enquiries, price, photo, and vehicle options as that Data was crucial to our enquiry levels.
- I also had an influence on what cars were kept for retail as the business, PATA had and still has a major wholesale operation.
- I ensured that clients were kept updated regularly about the progress of their Pre-Owned vehicle purchase. so that the process flowed smoothly through pre-sale, delivery, and post-sale.
- Showroom presentation was important so that was part of the daily chores, moving the stock around to show them off perfectly.
General Sales Manager
Audi Orange & Canobolas Holden
Orange
09.2013 - 10.2014
- Led sales team to achieve monthly sales targets and drive overall performance.
- Developed training programs with the help of the DP and the Manufacturer's to enhance product knowledge and sales techniques.
- Hired and motivated team members, working closely with salespeople and customers to negotiate and close deals.
- Followed up with existing customers to generate new prospective buyers through referrals.
- Trained a number of Cadets in the Sales process, both in Audi and Holden.
- Time away from my family was proving difficult, so I resigned and came back to Sydney.
Assistant Sales Manager
Trivett Classic BMW & Mini
Parramatta
03.2011 - 07.2013
- Coordinated weekly training sessions for both New and Pre-Owned Sales teams on product knowledge and customer service.
- Valued trade in vehicles for both Sales teams in conjunction with the Wholesale Department and assisted in buying vehicles at the door. We also had the 1st option on all Trades coming through, so that decision was made by the Pre-Owned Sales Manager and myself.
- Facilitated communication between sales staff and management for operational efficiency.
- Analysed customer feedback to improve service delivery and satisfaction levels.
- Oversaw daily sales operations, ensuring compliance with dealership policies and procedures.
- Resolved customer inquiries or complaints in a timely manner.
- Met with the team on a daily basis to identify sales opportunities, discuss strategies and execute new promotions.
Sole Trader
Self Employed
Suva, Fiji
06.2008 - 03.2011
- Moved back to Suva, Fiji for 3 years, buying and selling Used cars.
- Farming on the family property for our personal use.
- Attending a Civil Case where I was a Director with an Australian Partner which was finalised in 2011.
Sales Executive
Riviera Sydney / R Marine Sydney
Rushcutters Bay
04.2006 - 05.2008
- As a Newcomer to the Luxury Motor Yacht industry, I was told it would take 3-6 months of solid product training before I could expect to sell a boat, however I was able to get my 1st sale within 3 weeks and never looked back from there, doing between 3-5 boats a month ranging in price from $150K - $1 M
- I was assigned to Pre-Owned Boats because of my previous background with Pre-Owned Prestige Cars.
- Looked after Consignment / Listings, Trade In's and purchases of boats ranging from Sports Cruisers (Single Deck) to Flybridge Cruisers (Double Deck).
- To Value / Price, Recondition, Photograph and assist in marketing the inventory.
- Assisting the team of 4 other Sales staff in daily operations as well as main events such as Boat Shows and Rendevouz's, Gold Coast and Sydney.
- Constantly training at the factory in Coomera for new product and boats being built.
Director of Sales and Marketing
South Pacific Productions Fiji
Nadi, Fiji
08.2004 - 04.2006
- We took care of all of the Major Corporate and Local Events in Fiji especially the 5 Star Resorts
- Supplying and installing Marque's up to 1,000 sqm, Major Diesel Powered Generators, Flooring, Lighting Trusses, Air Conditioning and other assosiated equipment.
- I was responsible for the preparation of the Business Plan, Budget, Marketing and Sales in conjunction with my Business partner.
- The project went well until we had a falling out which ended up in a Civil Court case.
Used Car Sales Manager
Trivett Classic
Parramatta, NSW
04.1997 - 06.2004
- I was assigned the Used Car Managers role for Honda, Porsche, Land Rover, Jaguar, and Peugeot.
- Reported to the Genaral Used Car Manager.
- Resposible for valueing all trade in's for the 5 Franchises.
- Worked closely with all New Car Managers as well as GM's for the individual franchises so that our New Car Departments as well as our Used Car divisions could achieve their targets.
- Responsible for acquiring inventory for all 5 franchises.
- Responsible for wholesaling all cars that did not suit our retail model.
- Transferred to our Rockdale site in March 1998 to Manage Mazda as GSM and Manage Used VW and Audi.
- Tranferred back to Parramatta in April 1999 to replace the General Used Car Manager as he was promoted to Dealer Principal for one of our Volume franchises.
- That added Pre-Owned BMW to the other 5 franchises.
- We were able to deliver 35 BMW'S in our 1st month and grew that to 55-65 units per month.
- Between the other 5 franchises we were delivering an additinal 35 to 40 units per month.
- Regularly trained and mentored staff on customer service and sales techniques.
- Coordinated inventory management and vehicle display for optimal sales presentation.
- Negotiated trade-ins and purchase prices with customers.
- Managed daily operations of Used Car sales teams and dealership.
- In June 2003, I was offered the General Sales Managers role with Porsche Parramatta responsible for New and Used Car Sales.
- Organising colour and other options for inventory being built in Germany and allocated to us.
- Analysed market trends to adjust pricing strategies and inventory selection.
- Monitored inventory levels and placed orders for additional stock as needed.
- Performed quality checks on vehicles prior to delivery ensuring that they met dealership standards.
- Implemented promotional campaigns such as Main Events to drive foot traffic and increase visibility.
- Collaborated with service department to ensure customer vehicle readiness post-sale.
Education
High School Diploma -
Suva Grammar School
Suva, Fiji11-1980
Skills
- Sales strategy
- Deal negotiation
- Inventory management
- Market analysis
- Performance tracking
- Customer relationship management
- Business development
- Promotional campaign development
- Product knowledge training
- Team leadership
- Problem solving
- Effective communication
- Conflict resolution
- Mentoring and coaching
- Analytical problem solver
- Bilingual in [language]
- Business development and planning
- Profit and revenue-generating strategies
- Sales planning
- Sales process
- Positive and upbeat
- Direct sales
- Vendor relationship management
- Rapport and relationship building
- Motivational skills
- Excellent communication skills
- Goals and performance
- Empowers high-performing sales teams
Timeline
Sales Manager
Dutton One Caringbah
06.2022 - 06.2025
Senior Sales Consultant
Prestige Auto Traders
11.2015 - 06.2022
General Sales Manager
Audi Orange & Canobolas Holden
09.2013 - 10.2014
Assistant Sales Manager
Trivett Classic BMW & Mini
03.2011 - 07.2013
Sole Trader
Self Employed
06.2008 - 03.2011
Sales Executive
Riviera Sydney / R Marine Sydney
04.2006 - 05.2008
Director of Sales and Marketing
South Pacific Productions Fiji
08.2004 - 04.2006
Used Car Sales Manager
Trivett Classic
04.1997 - 06.2004
High School Diploma -
Suva Grammar School