Group Manager, Originations (CA)

The Group Manager, Originations is a senior operations leader responsible for the end-to-end management and continuous improvement of origination operations, including Underwriting and Funding/Booking. This position provides leadership and oversight for the Underwriting Manager and Funding Supervisor, ensuring fast, consistent, compliant, and dealer-friendly execution from application through booking. This position will be responsible for managing a team of up to 20 Underwriters, Loan Processors, Managers and Supervisors. Position reports to Vice President of Operations or Chief Operating Officer. Key Responsibilities: Leadership & Team Management Lead hiring, onboarding, training, and performance management across Underwriting and Funding teams. Lead, mentor, and develop the Originations leadership team; set clear expectations and drive accountability. Create a collaborative, high-performance culture with an obsession for high quality dealer service. Operational Oversight (Underwriting & Funding) Manage the daily operating rhythm for Originations, including queue management, workflow distribution, and escalation paths. Establish and maintain Decision Turn Time and Funding Turnaround SLAs; monitor performance and take corrective actions. Ensure underwriting and funding activities are executed consistently and aligned to policies, procedures, and lending guidelines. Partner with senior leadership and stakeholders to operationalize credit strategies, underwriting standards, and loan program rules. Own the exception and escalation framework (approval authorities, documentation standards, and decision rationale expectations). Ensure underwriting decisions are supported by thorough due diligence analysis and clear audit trails. Dealer relationships Support sales department and Sales Managers in their effort to build relationships with the Kawasaki Dealer Partners. Interact with finance managers and dealer principals on individual deals to find common ground on exception requests. Build, maintain and nurture relationships with dealer partners to build their confidence in our finance programs. Funding, Booking & Documentation Quality Oversee funding and booking to ensure timely, accurate disbursement of funds and clean loan setup. Ensure documentation completeness and compliance prior to funding; drive strong file quality and minimize rework/defects. Oversee collateral and supporting documentation review expectations to support collateral perfection readiness (as applicable). Controls, Compliance & Audit Readiness Ensure Originations processes comply with regulatory requirements and internal policies; maintain strong internal controls. Oversee audit readiness for underwriting and funding files through proactive reviews and issue remediation. Identify operational risks and implement corrective actions to prevent repeat issues. Reporting, Performance Management & Continuous Improvement Define, track, and report key performance indicators (KPIs) for Originations (e.g., turn times, approval rates, defect/rework rates, dealer satisfaction drivers). Lead identification of process improvements and ensure consistent adoption of best practices across Underwriting and Funding. Prepare and present performance reporting, trend analysis, and recommendations to senior leadership. Systems & Cross-Functional Collaboration Oversee effective use of the Loan Origination System (LOS) and related tools; partner on workflow design, enhancements, training, and adoption. Collaborate with Sales, Compliance, Finance, and Servicing to ensure seamless handoffs from booking into servicing while keeping servicing execution out of scope. Serve as a senior escalation point for complex dealer, credit, or operational issues requiring judgment and cross-department coordination. Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business, or a related field preferred; MBA or advanced degree preferred. Minimum of 15 years of experience in retail finance originations and/or credit operations, with at least 5 years in a leadership role managing managers or team leads. Strong understanding of underwriting operations, funding/booking workflows, loan documentation requirements, and operational controls. Strong knowledge of regulatory requirements, compliance expectations, and audit-readiness practices within financial services. Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and strong familiarity with Loan Origination Systems (LOS). Excellent analytical, decision-making, leadership, and communication skills; ability to drive alignment across teams and stakeholders. Ability to work on-site at our Foothill Ranch, CA office. Profile Differentiators: Experience in founding, co-founding, or operating in a fast-paced startup environment. Experience in the powersports finance industry (motorcycle, ATV, UTV, PWC). Experience in a FinTech startup or technology-enabled lending environment. Salary range: $140,000 – $150,000 To support your health and wellness goals, Kawasaki provides a comprehensive benefits program dedicated to the well-being of our employees and their families. What We Offer: Competitive salary based on experience Medical, Dental, Vision and Pet insurance 401(k) match Life and Disability benefits Generous PTO policy Up to 12 paid company holidays Employee discounts on Kawasaki products Onsite fitness center KMRF is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with KMRF is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status. This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor. #J-18808-Ljbffr Kawasaki