Job Description
Automotive General Manager - Summary
Assumes responsibility and is accountable for customer retention and the profitability of each department in the dealership on behalf of the dealer. Fulfills responsibility using sound business management practices. Plans, motivates and coordinates the activities of the management team.
Essential Duties
- In this role, you oversee the sales department, service and parts, and accounting and finance.
- Hires, trains and motivates all dealership department managers.
- Directs and monitors all dealership management or supervisory personnel functions and completes formal performance evaluations of all department managers at regularly scheduled intervals.
- Plans dealership operations for the coming year and submits to the dealer for approval.
- Meets with the comptroller/office manager monthly to review departmental forecasts for consistency with the annual forecast.
- Meets with managers individually to develop monthly and annual goals and objectives, and to review actual performance.
- Monitors the daily operating control (DOC), recommending improved courses of action where necessary.
- Provides dealer with accurate weekly reports on the financial condition of the dealership.
- Ensures that the monthly financial statement is complete, accurate and submitted on time to the factory.
- Develops and maintains a good working relationship with lending institutions and manufacturer personnel.
- Communicates management policies and procedures to all employees and ensures that they are understood and followed.
- Provides enthusiastic leadership to help shape employees' attitudes and build morale.
- Holds regularly scheduled managers meetings to ensure that every department is operating efficiently and profitably.
- Reviews all requests for training, approves those which are appropriate and consistent with the dealership's goals for professional/technical ability and advancement, and monitors their effectiveness.
- Reviews and approves compensation plans for all employees.
- Coordinates with the business office to ensure that records and analyses are maintained accurately.
Develops merchandising strategies and assists in creating effective, cost- efficient advertising programs.
- Resolves any customer complaints that department managers are unable to rectify.
- Other tasks as assigned.
Skills Required
• A bachelor's degree in business administration or a related field, with an MBA or other advanced degree preferred.
• At least 5 years' experience in the automotive industry sales, in addition to five years in a leadership role as General Management, with a strong track record of successfully managing a team and driving sales growth.
• Deep knowledge of the automotive market and industry trends, as well as a solid understanding of dealership operations and financial management.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to motivate and manage a diverse team of employees at all levels of the organization.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify and address operational and financial issues in a timely and effective manner. • A customer-centric mindset and a commitment to delivering high levels of customer satisfaction, with the ability to build and maintain strong relationships with customers and stakeholders.
• Strong IT skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office and experience working with dealership management systems and other automotive software programs. • A proven ability to develop and implement effective sales and marketing strategies that drive revenue growth and increase market share.