Automotive Sales Manager

Jenkins Kia of Ocala•Ocala, FL

About The Position

The Automotive Sales Manager is responsible for customer retention and the profitability of the sales profit center. The role recruits and manages qualified sales personnel and oversees appraising, purchasing, reconditioning, displaying, and merchandising vehicle inventory. The manager ensures the vehicle department has a supply of marketable vehicles in accordance with dealership and management financial guidelines and purchasing policies. The position leads sales planning, budgeting, staffing, employee development, customer follow-up, inventory management, vehicle purchasing, and sales operations. It also supports salespeople in meeting goals and closing deals, coordinates with the CRC and F&I departments, handles customer complaints, and helps maintain customer satisfaction and the dealership’s professional image. The role requires working both outdoors in varying weather and indoors in a climate-controlled environment. A professional appearance, positive attitude, and adherence to company policies, procedures, and safety standards are expected.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Ability to read and comprehend instructions and information.
Previous automotive sales experience.
Professional appearance and customer-oriented attitude.
Excellent interpersonal and telephone skills.
Well organized and self-motivated.
Knowledge and understanding of the federal, state, and local laws governing retail sales.

Responsibilities

Forecast monthly and annual sales, gross, and key expense goals and objectives.
Hire, motivate, counsel, and monitor the performance of pre-owned vehicle sales employees.
Prepare and administer an annual operating forecast and budget for the sales department.
Keep abreast of and comply with federal, state, and local regulations affecting vehicle sales.
Direct and schedule department employees and ensure proper staffing.
Help salespeople set realistic monthly goals and provide support to achieve them.
Develop, implement, and monitor prospecting and sales-control processes with the CRC Department to ensure follow-up of potential buyers.
Work with the CRC Department to ensure consistent follow-up with vehicle customers.
Maintain vehicle inventory and use customer preferences, lost sales, dealership sales history, and local market analysis to determine which vehicles to stock.
Analyze sales history and local trends to determine the best purchasing mix.
Process salesperson commission sheets daily and monitor sales employees’ payroll records.
Conduct daily and weekly sales and sales-training meetings as requested.
Establish and enforce product-knowledge standards.
Oversee salespeople’s efforts to improve the dealership’s image and customer satisfaction rating.
Help salespeople close deals.
Ensure every customer is transferred to the F&I department.
Communicate daily with other sales managers about vehicle inventory needs.
Keep salespeople informed about new inventory, current advertising, and special sales.
Develop and maintain outside sources, including wholesalers and retailers, for buying and selling vehicles.
Enforce the 60-day vehicle inventory turn policy.
Plan and control the display of inventory.
Establish delivery procedures and ensure customers are introduced to the service department and scheduled for their first service appointment.
Assist with developing advertising campaigns and other promotions.
Handle customer complaints immediately and according to dealership guidelines.
Attend General Communication Meetings as requested.
Maintain a professional appearance and keep personal and work areas neat and clean in accordance with the stated dress code.
Adhere to company policies, procedures, and safety standards.
Perform other duties as assigned.