Case Study: Kim Wenman, Registered Member Engagement Team Leader, MIMI

This week plays host to the Automotive 30% Club’s Inspiring Women in Automotive Week, and we have chatted with some inspiring women at the heart of the IMI. The Automotive 30% Club’s mission is to achieve a better gender balance in the industry with 30% of key leadership positions within the automotive sector filled by diverse women by 2030. Learn more about the 30% Club here. https://www.automotive30club.co.uk/about

Have a read of Kim’s journey into the industry. Kim is our Registered Member Engagement Team Leader. I will have worked in the motor sector for 30 years next year!

I started my career in the motor industry in 1993, after nine years of not working being a full time Mum. I was offered a part-time position with a company called Warranty Holdings, selling fixed rate car insurance. This was my first experience working on a computer, learning how to touch type when at school was a great asset. I didn’t even know how to turn the computer on.

I quickly progressed, nine months after starting, to working full time as a Call Centre Supervisor. I managed a team of 20 staff, who sold fixed rate and free manufacturers insurance. During this time, we went from taking an insurance proposal over the phone from a dealer to receiving the prop by fax, we then hand wrote an insurance 30 day cover note and would fax the insurance details to the insurance company. Warrant Holding was the broker. During my time a system was introduced where we would enter the insurers details onto the system and if would electronically be sent to the dealer and insurance company.

Three years later in 1996, a position became available in another department selling mechanical breakdown warranties. I applied for the position but didn’t hold out much hope as it was an all-male dominated department and a high salary. I was successful in my application - the manager wanted to mix things up and employ a female.

This was my first real sales position, with very high targets to achieve sales. My first week, I achieved the highest sales in the department, my male colleagues accused me of cheating and scrutinised every one of my sales in case they had had contact with them first. I wasn’t cheating at all, so they put it down to beginners luck. However, I continued to compete with their all-time top salesman, who made things quite difficult for me at times. The HR department intervened a few times and they put it down to the fact I was a female working with all men and they didn’t like the competition especially from a female.

I continued to work in this department until 2001, the department grew, and they employed another three females who were equally successful, and the company quickly realised females could do the job as well as males.

Unfortunately, the department was sold to Quick Fit and their head office was based in Scotland, I was made redundant. For the next 18 months I worked in recruitment, which I didn’t enjoy at all. Again, a hard sales role but dealing with people is completely different to selling a product – you have less control over people’s actions.

In 2003 I joined Mercedes Benz Retail Used Cars, in their call centre as a sales executive, making appointments for prospective car buyers. This was very target driven with high targets to achieve, we had a total of 12 different targets to reach. This department seemed to have an equal mix of males and females.

In 2007 I was promoted to CRM – customer relations management - Duty Manager, managing the team of 25.

I attended all of the courses when new Mercedes were launched and enjoyed the experience of learning about the different models and specifications, females were in the minority on these courses, but things had changed and we were welcomed and encouraged to take part in all of the training offered to all staff.

In 2013 the department merged with Mercedes Benz Retail New Cars and the location was in Manchester, I took redundancy. For the next three years I worked for a furniture hire company as a Sales Office Manager, although I enjoyed the role and the people I worked with, I didn’t feel as this industry was for me. In 2016, I joined The IMI as Registered Member Engagement Team Leader, which I am continuing to enjoy today. When I came back into the motor sector, I felt I was in a role where I belonged.

Although when I first joined the motor industry, which was ‘just a part-time job’ it quickly became apparent this was something I would enjoy and thrive in, and I am proud of how things in the industry have changed for women. When I first joined Mercedes in 2003 there was only a very few female sales executives, but today I am pleased to see this has increased although a long way to go until male/female ratio is equal it is on the right track.

When I look back on my career, putting it down writing, it makes me realise what a great industry it is be part of and the progress of technology over the years has been so vast and quite unbelievable. I may have tired other industries along the way, but the Motor Industry is for me!

I would encourage any female who is thinking of joining the motor industry to do so and enjoy the benefits and knowledge you would receive!