Service Director | Seattle Area Regional Application
About The Position
This is a general application for Swickard Auto Group’s pipeline of qualified Service Director candidates for future single-store openings. It is not a posting for a specific open position, and applying does not guarantee an interview or immediate consideration. Qualified candidates may be contacted as positions become available. Service Director roles are single-store fixed operations leadership positions. The director owns the fixed operations department—including service, parts, and body shop where applicable—as a unified P&L, and is accountable for performance. The role drives customer satisfaction (CSI), absorption, effective labor rate, technician efficiency, and gross profit; develops service and parts managers; partners with the General Manager and variable operations leadership; and oversees manufacturer certification compliance, warranty administration, and OEM relationships. The director also leads technician and service-advisor recruiting, retention, and development, and monitors key performance metrics. Swickard Auto Group describes itself as a hospitality company in retail automotive, operating more than 40 dealerships across the West Coast, Alaska, and Hawaii. Potential markets mentioned include Portland, Seattle, the Bay Area, and Thousand Oaks. The company highlights centralized HR, legal, finance, marketing, and fixed-operations support, opportunities for internal advancement, and its HEART values: Honor, Engage, Anticipate, Respond, and Thank.
Requirements
- At least 5 years of Service Manager or Service Director experience at a franchised dealership.
- Demonstrated absorption performance at or above 100%.
- Strong P&L fluency, including the ability to read department financials, understand performance drivers, and act proactively.
- Demonstrated ability to develop service managers, advisors, and technicians.
- Prior DMS experience; examples include CDK, Reynolds & Reynolds, DealerSocket, Tekion, or an equivalent platform.
- Valid driver's license and clean driving record.
Nice To Haves
- Luxury or import-brand fixed-operations leadership experience is strongly preferred; examples include Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, Lexus, Toyota, Honda, Volvo, or comparable platforms.
Responsibilities
- Own the full fixed operations department—including service, parts, and body shop where applicable—as a unified P&L, with accountability for performance.
- Drive CSI, absorption, effective labor rate, technician efficiency, and gross profit to targets, and hold the leadership team accountable.
- Develop service and parts managers by coaching fixed-operations leaders and building bench strength.
- Partner with the General Manager and variable-operations leadership to align fixed-operations performance with overall business objectives.
- Oversee manufacturer certification compliance, warranty administration, and OEM relationship management.
- Lead recruiting, retention, and development of technicians and service advisors.
- Monitor and act on fixed-operations metrics, including absorption, hours per RO, effective labor rate, technician productivity, parts fill rate, and aged inventory.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
- Life insurance and supplemental coverage options.
- Paid time off and paid holidays.
- Executive-level visibility within an organization with more than 40 rooftops and an active acquisition pipeline; strong performers may be considered for expanded operational leadership.
- Employee vehicle purchase and service discounts.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
No Education Listed
