Service Manager

🚗 We’re Hiring: Service Manager – Drive Excellence With Us! 🔧

Are you a hands-on leader who knows how to keep a shop running like a well-oiled machine? Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment where no two days are the same? If so, we want you on our team.

At City Auto Sales, we’re not just selling cars—we’re building trust, one vehicle at a time. And that starts in the service department.

🔥 What You’ll Do:

• Lead and motivate a team of technicians and service advisors
• Oversee daily shop operations to ensure efficiency and quality
• Manage repair timelines, customer satisfaction, and workflow
• Maintain high standards for inspections, reconditioning, and repairs
• Collaborate with sales to get vehicles front-line ready fast

💼 What We’re Looking For:

• Proven experience as a Service Manager or Shop Foreman
• Strong leadership and communication skills
• Deep understanding of automotive repair and diagnostics
• Ability to balance speed, cost, and quality
• Customer-first mindset with problem-solving skills

💰 What You’ll Get:

• Competitive salary performance bonuses
• Supportive team environment
• Opportunity to grow with a fast-moving dealership
• A key leadership role where your impact is visible every day

To be a successful Service Manager at a used car dealership, you need a mix of deep technical knowledge and operational control. Here are the core technical qualifications that separate average managers from high performers:

🔧 Core Automotive Knowledge

• Strong understanding of internal combustion engines, transmissions, drivetrains, and electrical systems
• Ability to interpret diagnostic trouble codes (OBD-II) and guide technicians on complex issues
• Familiarity with multi-brand vehicles (domestic, import, luxury, high-mileage units)
• Knowledge of common failure patterns in used vehicles (oil leaks, suspension wear, cooling systems, etc.)

🖥️ Diagnostic & Repair Systems

• Proficiency with diagnostic tools (e.g., scan tools like Snap-on, Autel)
• Ability to read and interpret wiring diagrams and service manuals
• Experience using shop management and dealership systems such as:
  • CDK Global
  • Reynolds and Reynolds
  • Dealertrack
• Understanding of labor time guides and estimating software

🏭 Reconditioning & Inventory Readiness

• Expertise in used vehicle reconditioning processes
• Ability to create and enforce inspection checklists (safety, mechanical, cosmetic)
• Knowledge of front-line standards (what must be fixed vs. what can be deferred)
• Managing turnaround time (RO cycle time) to keep inventory moving

📊 Shop Operations & Metrics

• Track and improve key performance indicators (KPIs), including:
  • Labor gross profit
  • Technician efficiency & productivity
  • Comeback rate (rework)
  • Average repair order (ARO)
• Ability to forecast parts usage and labor capacity
• Experience with scheduling systems and workflow optimization

🧾 Compliance & Safety

• Knowledge of state safety and emissions requirements
• Familiarity with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards
• Understanding of EPA guidelines for fluid disposal and hazardous materials
• Ensuring proper documentation for inspections and repairs

🔩 Parts & Vendor Management

• Strong understanding of OEM vs aftermarket parts
• Ability to source parts quickly and cost-effectively
• Experience managing vendor relationships and negotiating pricing
• Inventory control to avoid shortages or overstock

⚙️ Technical Leadership Skills

• Ability to mentor technicians and assist with difficult diagnostics
• Reviewing repair orders for accuracy and completeness
• Making decisions on repair vs wholesale vehicles
• Bridging communication between technicians and non-technical staff

🚀 Bonus Technical Edge (Highly Valuable)

• ASE certifications (especially Master Technician)
• Experience with hybrid/electric vehicles
• Knowledge of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) calibration
• Familiarity with digital inspection tools and photo-based reporting

A strong Service Manager isn’t just someone who “runs the shop”—they understand the work at a technical level well enough to control quality, speed, and profitability all at once.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• High School Diploma or GED 4 year degree preferred

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Provides first-line management to department
• Allocates resources according to priorities and within budget parameters
• Has management responsibilities for direct reports
• Consults with Management on operational issues (including fiscal matters)
• Recruits, screens, interviews candidates & selects hires
• Conducts training of others
• Conducts performance appraisals & communicates on-going with direct reports about performance
• Recommends salary actions
• Recommends termination of employees
• Recommends candidates for hire
• Assigns tasks or responsibilities to others
• Monitors work performance
• Administers disciplinary actions
• Regular and substantial contact with others.
• Contacts usually involve discussions related to policies and programs and may include proposal or presentation writing, negotiation with vendors, and the like.
• Handles sensitive, complex, and/or confidential information.
• Anticipates customer needs and regularly motivates or influences others to deliver customer service excellence.
• May troubleshoot highly sensitive or confidential issues.
• Personally, ensures problem resolution.
• Identifies barriers to effective customer service and sets customer service standards.
• Establishes a customer feedback system and holds self-accountable for customer service excellence within the department.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Work involves frequent exposure to unpleasant elements, such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, loud noises, chemicals, etc.
• Position requires occasional or frequent moderate physical activity which includes 50% walking, 20% standing, 5% lifting, and 25% sitting.