Director of vehicle logistics and customs operations, Rory Hepner, retires after 33 years of dedicated service with Mercedes-Benz USA

In a significant shift for MBUSA, Rory Hepner, director of vehicle logistics and customs operations, has announced her retirement after an illustrious 33-year career with the company. Hepner’s retirement will take effect on September 11, 2024. The replacement for the position is yet to be announced.

Hepner’s journey with MBUSA began in an era of transformation during the early 1990s. In her early days at the company she broke new ground as the first female lawyer in Montvale, New Jersey, joining the legal department. Reflecting on her start at MBUSA with Automotive Logistics in March, 2020, Hepner said: “I wanted to be an attorney from a very young age, but I realised early in my career at MBUSA that I actually enjoyed being in a business line position as opposed to a staff role…[.] However, I firmly believe that a legal education has helped me in my career. It has improved my communication skills and also honed my analytical skills, which helps to evaluate complex issues and propose solutions.”

Her career took a notable turn when she embraced the challenge to “learn the business” beyond the legal realm. Hepner’s path led her through a series of impactful roles in sales and dealer network operations, including field and sales operations, market management and regional franchise management. By 2011, her contributions were recognised with her promotion to director, where she continued to leave her mark on the organisation.

Among Hepner’s many achievements are the successful and ahead-of-schedule launch of the Duty Drawback Programme, the development of the West Coast Campus in Long Beach, California, and the establishment of MBUSA’s Domestic Marshalling Yard in Vance, Alabama. These projects, she noted were a way “to manage growth and capacity on a daily basis.” When commenting further on the development of the West Coast Campus she shared: “[The transition] has been a success and a great opportunity for us to support our volumes on the west coast. We now have three vehicle preparation centres, all of which have capacity to handle our volume and our growth in the future.”

One of Hepner’s most significant accomplishments was the transformation of MBUSA’s sales system. She spearheaded the launch and stabilisation of the VOIS sales system, replacing a 30-year-old wholesale system. “The most important priority is the customer priority,” Hepner emphasised when discussing how to choose priority systems to improve supply chain operations. “We’ve had a process in place for years [to manage the flow of vehicles to dealers] but we continue to tweak it to improve our inventory management and distribution processes.”

Throughout her tenure, Hepner has been celebrated for her ability to develop talent and build high-performing teams. Her dedication to mentoring and leadership has left an indelible impact on those who had the privilege of working with her. “My management style is very much, ‘we are in this together,’ to be transparent and to communicate,” she shared in a previous Red Sofa Interview at Automotive Logistics’ Finished Vehicle North America conference in 2023. 

“People need to be a key area of investment, and the first step is convincing partners to invest in them,” she added. “Companies need to have the human capital to move vehicles, it’s a complex process involving rail, trucks and facilities, so it all depends on having the skilled workers. It’s crucial to attract and encourage new talent to join the industry.”

As Hepner embarks on her retirement, she leaves behind a legacy of innovation and commitment. MBUSA has announced that the position of director of vehicle logistics and customs operations will soon be posted and filled through the “Best-Fit process”, ensuring the continued success and evolution of the company’s logistics and operations.