Vice President, Business Development

COMPANY OVERVIEW

OK Tire Canada, founded in 1953 and based in Surrey, British Columbia, is the country’s largest independent tire and auto-service franchise network, with over 325 dealer-owned locations nationwide. The company offers a full range of tires and auto services—serving passenger, commercial, RV, off-road, and agricultural vehicles—combining local ownership with the scale and support of Groupe Touchette’s 45 distribution warehouses as its primary distribution partner. Proudly 100% Canadian-owned, OK Tire is deeply engaged in communities across the country. Under President and CEO Brian Mielko, the company continues to invest in growth and infrastructure, with annual revenues exceeding CAD $400 million.

POSITION SUMMARY

OK Tire Canada is seeking a growth-oriented, relationship-driven executive to serve as VP, Business Development—a critical leadership role focused on expanding the company’s national franchise network, strengthening supplier partnerships, and scaling commercial programs that drive long-term value for dealer-owners.

The ideal candidate has a proven track record in franchise or dealer development, team leadership, and supplier engagement—ideally within the tire, automotive aftermarket, or related B2B service sectors. They may have served as a VP of Business Development, National Sales Director, or GM in a multi-location services brand. Most importantly, they are an enthusiastic leader who can motivate, inspire, and elevate a strong team to achieve ambitious growth goals. This is a high-impact opportunity to join one of Canada’s most respected automotive brands during a period of national growth and transformation.

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBLITES

• Franchise Program Alignment – Drive alignment between dealer purchasing behavior and corporate tire supply agreements by promoting the value and benefits of program participation. Act as a liaison between dealers and corporate teams to ensure product availability, pricing, and program terms meet the needs of the network. Proactively address barriers to adoption, foster trust, and build consensus among dealers to maximize program engagement and strengthen supplier partnerships.

• Franchise Growth & Network Expansion – Lead the strategic expansion of the national dealer network, with a goal of growing from 325 to 400 and eventually 500 locations. Own the full franchise development lifecycle—from market analysis and white-space identification to lead generation, candidate evaluation, and deal execution. Oversee onboarding, integration, and ramp-up to ensure new dealers are set up for success. Collaborate closely with marketing, operations, and supply chain to support launch readiness and drive sustainable, long-term growth across new markets.

• Team Leadership & Performance Management – Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team of Business Development Managers (BDMs) who support franchise dealers nationwide. Establish clear roles, responsibilities, and performance expectations, and implement standardized operating procedures to drive consistency, efficiency, and accountability across the team. Set and monitor performance KPIs and SMART goals tied to dealer engagement, program adoption, and revenue growth. Foster a culture of continuous improvement through regular feedback, training, and performance reviews, ensuring the team is equipped to deliver measurable value to dealers and the broader network.

• Product & Program Development – Lead the creation and national rollout of value-added programs beyond core tire offerings, including maintenance services, accessories, warranties, and other dealer-enabling products that enhance customer experience and support revenue diversification. Ensure programs reinforce brand consistency, competitive differentiation, and dealer profitability. Collaborate closely with Business Intelligence to identify opportunities through data and market trends, with Finance to ensure sound unit economics and margin contribution, and with Marketing to develop compelling go-to-market strategies and dealer communications. Continuously evaluate program performance and make refinements based on dealer feedback and customer demand.

• Customer Expansion – Capitalize on OK Tire’s national footprint and regional reach to identify, pursue, and secure new relationships with national and multi-regional trucking fleets. Develop a targeted business development strategy to engage fleet operators, highlighting OK Tire’s service capabilities, geographic coverage, and value-added offerings. Collaborate with regional sales teams and dealer partners to ensure consistent service delivery, pricing alignment, and account support. Build long-term, strategic partnerships with key fleet accounts by delivering tailored solutions that improve uptime, reduce cost-per-mile, and enhance overall fleet performance.

• Supplier & Partnership Strategy – Strengthen relationships with core suppliers to support program success, margin performance, and long-term value creation. Negotiate favorable terms, secure marketing support, and drive alignment with dealer needs and corporate goals. Identify and pursue new supplier partnerships that fill product gaps, enhance service capabilities, or differentiate OK Tire’s offering. Collaborate with Procurement, Finance, and Operations to evaluate supplier performance, manage risk, and execute high-impact partnership strategies across the network.

PERFORMANCE MEASURES (KPIs)

• Dealer Program Participation – Measure the percentage of tire purchases made through approved sourcing partners, with a target of 85% program compliance across the dealer network.

• Franchise Growth & Economics – Track net new store openings, franchisee revenue growth. Additional metrics include time to close new franchise agreements, dealer satisfaction levels and overall franchise retention rate.

• BDM Team Performance – Evaluate team effectiveness through individual goal achievement, adoption of standardized operating procedures, productivity benchmarks, and BDM team retention.

• Supplier & Program Development – Assess success based on the number of new supplier partnerships, margin contribution from those relationships, dealer program adoption rates, and supplier satisfaction scores.

• Fleet Customer Expansion – Monitor the initiation of new relationships with national and regional trucking fleets and the revenue contribution from this emerging customer segment.

STAFF & RESOURCES

The VP, Business Development will lead a capable team of 10 Business Development Managers and Franchise Development Specialists who support OK Tire’s dealer network across Canada. While the team is solid and deeply knowledgeable about the business, they require clear leadership, structured training, and ongoing mentorship to elevate their performance and impact. This executive will provide direction, instill best practices, and foster a culture of accountability and continuous learning—ensuring the team has the tools, skills, and confidence to drive dealer engagement, expand the franchise footprint, and deliver measurable value to both current and prospective dealer-owners.

KEY INTERNAL OPERATING RELATIONSHIPS

The VP, Business Development will operate as part of a collaborative senior leadership team reporting to the CEO, working closely with leaders including the CFO, COO, Marketing Director, and leaders of IT and HR. Together, this group will align on enterprise priorities, ensure cross-functional execution, and support the company’s growth agenda while reinforcing a culture of accountability, innovation, and shared success.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Competitive salary $180+
• Annual bonus 20%, up to 30%
• RRSP contribution matching
• Healthcare plan
• Vacation, holidays

LOCATION

The Vice President, Business Development based ideally in the Greater Toronto Area. This location is essential given its proximity to key franchise markets and supplier partners. While the role carries national responsibility, including regular dealer and partner engagement across the country, time spent at the corporate head office in Surrey, BC will be limited. Travel is expected to be up to 50%.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

EXPERIENCE BASE

• Tire or Automotive Aftermarket – Seeking candidates with deep knowledge of the tire and auto service landscape, including product lines, pricing, service models, and retail/commercial channel dynamics. Ideal backgrounds include strong relationships with major tire manufacturers and familiarity with supplier programs, incentives, and co-op structures. Experience managing complex supply chains and negotiating national vendor agreements is a plus. Bonus for exposure to commercial tire markets—fleet sales, heavy-duty, or B2B verticals like agriculture, mining, construction, or logistics—where uptime and total cost of ownership drive purchasing decisions.

• Franchise or Dealer Network Development – We’re seeking candidates with a proven track record of recruiting, onboarding, and scaling franchise or dealer networks. Ideal candidates will have led the full development lifecycle—from prospecting and due diligence through agreement execution, onboarding, and performance ramp-up. Experience operating within distributed, independently owned systems is essential, with the ability to balance national strategy and local autonomy. Relevant backgrounds may include automotive services, quick-serve restaurants, retail franchises, equipment dealers, or other B2B networks with multi-location, owner-operator models.

• Supplier & Program Development – Seeking candidates with experience managing national supplier relationships in distributed or franchise-based networks. This includes negotiating volume rebates, co-marketing agreements, preferred pricing, and exclusive offerings that improve competitiveness and profitability. Ideal candidates have led the design and rollout of supplier-driven programs—such as warranties, accessories, or service packages—built for adoption across independently owned locations. Success requires strong commercial acumen, cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to align supplier incentives with dealer priorities and network goals.

• Team Development and Leadership – Seeking candidates with proven experience leading national field teams such as Business Development Managers, Territory Managers, or Franchise Development Managers. Ideal candidates have built high-performing, geographically dispersed teams by implementing clear SOPs, defining KPIs, and establishing disciplined business planning and performance management routines. They should demonstrate the ability to align team goals with broader commercial objectives, ensuring focus on dealer engagement, program adoption, and market growth. Strong leadership capabilities in hiring, coaching, and retaining top talent are essential, along with the ability to foster a collaborative, results-driven culture that thrives in a fast-paced, dealer-centric environment. Experience managing remote teams and creating systems for visibility, communication, and accountability across regions is a must.

• Cross-Functional Commercial Acumen – We’re seeking candidates with a strong track record of working across Finance, Marketing, Business Intelligence, and Operations to develop and execute data-driven growth strategies. This includes building robust business cases for market expansion, assessing territory potential, and creating localized go-to-market plans that align with corporate objectives. Candidates should be fluent in using CRM platforms and data tools to manage pipeline health, track territory performance, and monitor dealer engagement. Success in this area requires strong analytical thinking, cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to turn insights into actionable commercial plans.

PERSONALITY PROFILE

• Relationship-Oriented Leader
• Strategic Operator
• Team Builder & Motivator
• Commercially Curious
• Resilient & Adaptable
• Entrepreneurial Mindset
• Data-Informed Decision Maker

Please forward your resume and cover letter to: Brian Mielko, CEO O.K. Tire Stores Inc.