Auto Remarketing Canada  is recognizing the 2022 Women & Automotive: Profiles honorees in the current issue of the magazine and at Canada's Used Car Week this month at the Westin Harbour Castle in Toronto.

In the weeks leading up to the June 27-29 event, ARC will be posting Q&As with each of the Women & Automotive honorees on this website.

Next up is Jordana Moore, who is manager of integrated planning, sales & inventory planning at Toyota Canada Inc.

Auto Remarketing Canada: What do you enjoy most about working in automotive, and what would you change?

Jordana Moore: I’ve always had an appreciation for the dynamics within the industry: what drives it forward but also what can pull it back. Even before I got into this business, I was intrigued by the products — the innovation, the design, the appeal. This industry is changing at rapid speed, and it constantly challenges you to keep up. This aspect of the business has always worked well with how I set my personal goals.

I like to look ahead, see where the organization is going and how I can best contribute given my experience, knowledge and strengths. The automotive industry needs disruptors to prompt us to adapt and evolve but we need to reflect on what tools we need to lead people through this change. Now, more than ever, we need to experiment with diff erent approaches to change management and arm the leadership teams with the tools they need to deal with resistance.

ARC: What piece of career advice would you have for someone new to the industry?

Moore: Step into the industry because you have a passion for the product but look for an area within the business that makes you feel like your value is being seen. This will translate into a confi dence that will fuel a drive to move forward in the organization. Speak up, have a voice, and carry that confi dence with you in everything you do. It’s also important to look for people within your organization that you can learn from, a mentor or role model that shows you what’s possible in your field or area of interest. This advice stems from my own experience, as I was always encouraged to do hard things and step outside my comfort zone in order to develop and grow.

ARC: What is your proudest moment/ accomplishment, career-wise?

Moore: I was working with our Toyota dealer network as an area sales manager, a job that cultivated my leadership abilities and pushed my comfort threshold. I enjoyed being strategic and tactical in my approach, and seeing the results dealers were able to achieve when they were inspired to take risks in their business.

The turning point in my career came when I was given the opportunity to become a people manager; One of the highlights being a management role in our Lexus division, leading a group of Lexus area sales managers responsible for a 39-dealer network across Canada and being the first female in the history of the brand in Canada to hold the role. There I was able to build upon my leadership brand and realize that I had a passion for coaching and developing others.

ARC: What has been the top key to your success in retail automotive?

Moore: Working to my strengths and an ability to self-refl ect provide the foundation for my success. I pride myself on being coachable and taking feedback with the intention of always doing and being better. Th is industry has given me the ability to bank so much knowledge and potential, but it’s up to me to decide when and how to apply it. At this stage of my career, my focus is to use what I’ve gained and transfer it back to not only the organization but the people I get the privilege of leading. I’m currently working with a leadership coach and one area of focus is building trust and relationships — the conversation has helped me navigate situations where I can be a more empathic leader that both listens and takes action.