Technical Placement Manager (TPM) – Field Operations & Dealer Relations
About The Position
The Technical Placement Manager (TPM) for Field Operations & Dealer Relations will lead, coach, and develop geographically dispersed teams of Technical Placement Specialists and Market Area Coordinators. This role involves leading program management for both evolving legacy programs and new initiatives, establishing a culture of continuous improvement, and developing technician workforce strategies focused on pipeline development, readiness, service capacity, and retention. The TPM will act as a trusted advisor to dealership leadership on workforce planning and technician development, partnering with dealerships, educational institutions, and workforce organizations to strengthen recruiting, placement, and career development programs. Key responsibilities include implementing technician growth initiatives, driving organizational change, monitoring field performance, and managing budgets and vendor investments. The role also involves owning workforce KPIs, operational reporting, performance analytics, and business reviews, as well as managing relationships with workforce development organizations and strategic vendors.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Workforce Development, or a related field
- 7–10+ years of progressive leadership experience in field operations, workforce development, dealer operations, automotive service operations, or related business functions.
- 5+ years of experience leading and developing geographically dispersed remote teams.
- Demonstrated success managing remote field organizations while driving accountability, operational performance, workforce effectiveness, and measurable business outcomes.
- Strong background in coaching, performance management, talent development, and organizational leadership.
- Experience leading process standardization, continuous improvement, organizational change, and workforce development initiatives.
- Expertise in technician workforce planning, workforce readiness, service capacity management, and retention strategies.
- Advanced analytical skills with experience leveraging workforce data, KPIs, CRM platforms, and business intelligence tools to drive operational decisions.
- Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence dealership leadership, field teams, and senior business leaders.
Nice To Haves
- Master's degree (MBA, Automotive Technology, or related discipline) preferred.
- 10+ years of experience within the automotive service ecosystem, including dealer operations, fixed operations, service engineering, warranty administration, field quality, or technical service operations.
- Experience supporting OEM dealer networks, technician workforce development programs, and partnerships with technical schools, vocational programs, apprenticeship initiatives, or workforce development organizations.
- Experience managing field quality concerns, technical investigations, corrective actions, and issue resolution within an OEM or dealer network environment.
Responsibilities
- Lead, coach, and develop geographically dispersed teams of Technical Placement Specialists and Market Area Coordinators, driving accountability, engagement, and performance.
- Lead program management activities across both established legacy programs requiring strategic evolution and modernization, and new innovative initiatives from concept through execution and operational maturity.
- Establish a culture of continuous improvement, operational excellence, and consistent execution across all markets.
- Develop and execute technician workforce strategies focused on pipeline development, workforce readiness, service capacity, and long-term technician retention.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to Dealer Principals, General Managers, Service Directors, and Fixed Operations leaders on workforce planning and technician development.
- Partner with dealerships, educational institutions, and workforce organizations to strengthen technician recruiting, placement, and career development programs.
- Lead implementation of technician growth initiatives, ensuring consistent execution, process standardization, and achievement of program objectives.
- Drive organizational change, training adoption, and continuous improvement initiatives that enhance dealer satisfaction and workforce outcomes.
- Monitor field performance and implement corrective actions to improve technician placement, retention, and overall program effectiveness.
- Own workforce KPIs, operational reporting, performance analytics, and business reviews to support data-driven decision-making.
- Analyze technician pipeline, retention, dealer performance, and workforce trends to identify opportunities, risks, and improvement initiatives.
- Manage budgets, resources, and vendor investments while ensuring operational efficiency, fiscal responsibility, and measurable ROI.
- Manage relationships with workforce development organizations, educational institutions, recruiting partners, and strategic vendors.
- Establish performance expectations, accountability measures, and service standards that support operational excellence.
- Lead Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) and performance assessments to optimize partner contributions and business outcomes.
Benefits
- Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
- Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more
- Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more
- Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases
- Tuition assistance
- Established and active employee resource groups
- Paid time off for individual and team community service
- A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day
- Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
