Career Voyages - Automotive Jobs

Dealership Salaries

STEM Occupations (PDF)

PDF Industry Profile

PDF Hot Facts

From Automotive Retailing Today...

Job Definition

The service manager oversees the service department and is responsible for controlling costs, building a loyal clientele, maintaining good employee relations, setting and obtaining sales and profit objectives and maintaining service records. Additionally, they must satisfy service concerns of all customers, ensure that service is performed at the highest level and operate the department profitably.

As with all positions within dealerships, service managers are expected to uphold the highest ethical standards.

Job Duties

The service manager oversees the service department and is typically responsible for:

Hiring and supervising all service department personnel, as well as monitoring their performance in servicing customers.
Creating goals and objectives for the department, which includes an annual operating budget and a marketing plan to promote new and repeat business.
Providing training on administrative policies and procedures for all department personnel. Encouraging technicians to keep their skills up-to-date through periodic technical training on new systems and components offered by the automotive manufacturers.
Keeping up-to-date on manufacturer warranty and policy procedures while serving as a liaison with the factory representatives.
Maintaining the highest Customer Service Index (CSI) rating from customers by handling customer complaints immediately and according to dealership policy.

Job Requirements

Service Managers tend to have previous experience as a service advisor, as well as an extensive technical background with management training, and typically have been in the business for 15 years or more.

Service advisors require strong communication skills to deal with customers, employees and vendors. Managerial positions are required to maintain the profitability of their departments while controlling expenses and maintaining customer satisfaction.

Managers are required to not only understand and keep abreast of the federal, state, and local regulations that affect their operations, but must also comply with these regulations including hazardous waste disposal, OSHA Right-to-Know and provide necessary training on these regulations and ethical practices.

Professional certification from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) is preferred. People working within the automotive retail industry often have to work extended hours, evenings and weekends to achieve their goals.

Education Requirements

Many service managers hold National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Service Consultant Certification and have at least some post-secondary education; a growing number have bachelor's degrees in business administration or a technical field.

A strong understanding of automotive technology is definitely an asset, so an associate's degree (or higher) in auto technology is beneficial. Focusing on the following coursework is useful: mathematics, computers/electronics, automotive service and technology, business and courses that teach analytical skills.

Career Path

This is a demanding management position that may lead to becoming a fixed operations director (in charge of the service, parts and body shop departments), general manager or even dealer.

Salary Range

The average annual earnings of service managers are approximately $55,000 to $88,000. Earnings vary depending on experience, and the dealer's geographic location and size.

Please click here for more information about average salaries.

Benefits

Benefits vary by employer, but most dealerships offer on site training, health insurance, retirement plans, and other benefit options. Talk with the specific dealer human resource manager about benefit packages.

(Source: Automotive Retailing Today.)

To learn more about this and other jobs in
automotive, visit our partner site,
Automotive Training & Career Opportunities (ATCO).

Education and Training in Automotive


	[*]Home \| About Us \| Contact Us \| Privacy & Security \| Link To Us \| Submit a Link Site Map \| Promotional Materials \| Partnerships \| Freedom of Information Act 1-877-US-2JOBS (1-877-872-5627); TTY 1-877-889-5627

cgi.HTTP_REFERER: http://careervoyages.gov/automotive-service.cfm, session.displaytopsectionyesno: 1yes2