Automotive Service Manager

Vista Toyota is seeking a high-impact Service Manager who can lead with strategy, accountability, and a people-first mindset. This is an opportunity for a proven fixed operations leader to step into a high-potential service department and drive performance across customer experience, team development, operational efficiency, and profitability.

We are looking for a hands-on leader who can build strong teams, improve processes, increase customer retention, and foster a culture of accountability and excellence.

Position Overview:

The Service Manager is responsible for leading the service department's overall performance, culture, and customer experience. This role oversees day-to-day operations while driving long-term success through team development, process improvement, customer retention, and financial performance. The ideal candidate is a strong operator and coach—someone who can lead technicians and advisors effectively, improve shop efficiency and workflow, maintain high CSI, and partner across departments to support the dealership's overall success.

What We Offer:

• Competitive compensation package with base salary plus performance-based bonus - Target annual income: $110,000 – $140,000
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
• 401(k) with employer contribution
• Responsible Paid Time Off (RPTO)
• Health & Wellness reimbursement of up to $75 per month
• Employee discounts across our brands and partners

Who You Are:

You are a driven and service-minded leader with a passion for developing people, improving operations, and delivering exceptional guest experience. You know how to hold a team accountable while building trust, engagement, and long-term performance.

The right candidate will bring:

• 5 years of successful automotive dealership Service Manager experience
• A strong track record of improving customer satisfaction, retention, productivity, and profitability
• Proven ability to lead and develop service advisors, technicians, and support staff
• Strong working knowledge of service department KPIs, including gross profit, labor sales, effective labor rate, technician efficiency/productivity, and CSI
• Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to build strong partnerships across Sales, Parts, Accounting, and dealership leadership
• A commitment to operational discipline, compliance, and continuous improvement
• Comfort with dealership technology and systems such as Dealertrack, Xtime, or similar platforms preferred

What You'll Do:

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team of service advisors, technicians, and support staff
• Create a culture of accountability, professionalism, teamwork, and continuous improvement
• Recruit, train, and retain top fixed operations talent
• Conduct regular coaching, performance feedback, and development conversations to support team growth

Customer Experience & Retention

• Drive an exceptional guest experience that builds customer loyalty, repeat business, and long-term retention
• Establish and reinforce customer-first service processes throughout the department
• Resolve customer concerns effectively and professionally while protecting customer relationships
• Support initiatives that improve owner retention, service absorption, and CSI performance

Operational & Financial Performance

• Manage the daily operations of the service department to ensure efficient workflow and high-quality repair execution
• Monitor and improve key performance indicators, including:
• Gross profit
• Labor sales
• Effective labor rate
• Technician productivity and efficiency
• Shop capacity and utilization
• Customer satisfaction and retention
• Identify opportunities to improve workflow, scheduling, dispatching, and repair order quality
• Drive departmental profitability while maintaining a high standard of service and compliance

Cross-Functional & Manufacturer Relations

• Maintain strong working relationships with Toyota representatives and ensure compliance with manufacturer standards, programs, and objectives
• Partner closely with the Parts Department to support repair efficiency and parts availability
• Collaborate with Sales and dealership leadership to support store-wide performance and customer retention initiatives
• Ensure service operations align with company policies, OEM expectations, and regulatory requirements

Facility, Equipment & Safety Oversight

• Oversee shop equipment, tools, and facility readiness to ensure a safe, productive, and professional work environment
• Support proper maintenance, organization, and cleanliness of the service department
• Promote and enforce safety standards and operational best practices throughout the department

Requirements:

• Minimum 5 years of automotive dealership Service Manager experience
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills
• Demonstrated success in managing service department operations and performance
• Ability to pass a pre-employment background check and drug screening for illegal substances
• Valid driver's license and acceptable Motor Vehicle Record (MVR)
• Authorization to work in the United States

Who We Are:

Vista Toyota, a Summit Automotive company, is built upon a different way of thinking. We embrace a culture that recognizes strength lies in differences, not similarities. Our associates are a team of highly energized, engaged, and diverse individuals united by our core beliefs and values. Together, we are dedicated to Humility, Integrity, and Passion, fostering professional growth and processes that deliver extraordinary satisfaction for customers and associates. Our brand is about the Power of Yes – empowering our associates to deliver a safe, positive, stress-free experience to our customers, whether in sales, parts, or service. We aim to be recognized for delivering a customer and associate experience tailored to the individual and diverse needs of our customers. Summit Automotive Partners is a privately held automotive management group headquartered in Centennial, Colorado.

EEOCSummit Automotive Partners is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. Summit Automotive Partners strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including pregnancy), gender (including gender nonconformity and status as a transgender individual), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. All Summit Automotive Partners employees, other workers, and representatives are prohibited from engaging in unlawful discrimination. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, training, promotion, discipline, compensation, benefits, and termination.ADASummit Automotive Partners complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as amended by the ADA Amendments Act, and all applicable state or local law. Consistent with those requirements, Summit Automotive Partners will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with a disability if such accommodation would allow the individual to perform the essential functions of the job unless doing so would create an undue hardship. If you believe you need an accommodation, refer any such request to the Human Resources Department. Summit Automotive Partners will also, where appropriate, provide reasonable accommodations for an employee's religious beliefs or practices.