Becoming an automotive general manager is ideal for individuals with strong leadership and team management skills. General managers oversee the different departments within a dealership and set standards for service, from resolving customer issues to developing an efficient and engaging team. Effective managers are vital to the proper operation of a dealership. Whether you’re seeking your next opportunity in the automotive industry or getting ready to hire, you might be wondering what that means.

Here, we’ll discuss the specific responsibilities an automotive general manager is expected to take on, how to become one, and what a great candidate for the role looks like. 

What Does an Automotive General Manager Do?

General managers ensure a dealership remains profitable by overseeing day-to-day operations. They interact with many departments, including financial, sales, and parts and service, in a single day to assess the services they provide and ensure they’re adequately staffed. Not only do general automotive managers help build the team in each department, but they’re also responsible for:

• Ensuring employees follow company protocols
• Keeping morale high
• Providing departments with the tools and support they need to serve customers

General managers also interact with customers directly and work to improve their experiences at the dealership. This might mean planning special events to get people in the door and addressing customer concerns as they shop or make a transaction. 

Automotive general managers also play a role in the dealership’s finances by managing a variety of operational costs and setting sales targets to meet revenue demands. These behind-the-scenes responsibilities make financial literacy an important skill for any prospective general manager¹.

What Is the Job Description of an Automotive General Manager?

Like all leadership roles, automotive general managers have a variety of responsibilities. Below is an example list of several tasks that a general manager may be required to perform²:

• Identify, hire, and onboard new employees
• Ensure training meets company requirements and standards
• Monitor and evaluate department manager and department performance 
• Track financial performance and accurately report financial information regularly
• Develop plans for meeting yearly, quarterly, or monthly goals 
• Run meetings with other management to identify and reconcile operating challenges
• Help build an efficient team with high morale and strong problem-solving skills
• Manage employee compensation packages
• Act as a liaison between the dealership, manufacturer, and third parties 
• Clearly communicate expectations to employees and help remove obstacles stopping them from being successful in their roles 
• Recommend action plans for improving daily operations 
• Resolve elevated customer concerns 
• Develop and approve marketing strategies, such as special events and promotions 

How Can Someone Become an Automotive General Manager?

Being a general manager can be a demanding job, but it’s also rewarding. How do you prepare for this type of role? First, eligible candidates must meet the basic educational requirements. This typically means a high school diploma or GED equivalent, plus industry experience.

However, some employers may look for a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field—such as business management, business administration, or marketing—because of the job’s operational duties. Even with these credentials, it’s important to understand the automotive industry. This can include:

• Knowledge of vehicles themselves
• Automotive industry trends
• Local automotive laws and business regulations

The other major factor in being a good candidate is experience. Employees typically work in an entry-level position for several years before being promoted into a management role, before being considered for a GM role. One of the best ways to gain leadership experience is to take on or suggest larger projects, especially if those projects involve multiple departments.

Success in a project of that scale shows the ability to follow through and to work with different stakeholders to accomplish a common goal, just like a general automotive manager does. Ultimately, a candidate who shows a successful track record in leadership positions will likely be more competitive than someone who doesn’t have that experience³.

What to Look For When Hiring an Automotive General Manager

How do you hire the best general manager candidate for your business? The key is focusing on what makes a good leader. Prospective employees should be able to demonstrate:

• Experience managing a team or teams
• Building a positive work environment
• Producing results
• Balancing the needs of multiple stakeholders
• Strategizing to complete goals, such as growth or profit metrics

General managers will need to tackle many types of problems, so the ideal candidate is one who can find creative solutions for complex problems. Candidates should also have strong written and verbal communication skills since they’ll interact with department heads, customers, and vendors.

Dealerships can also greatly benefit by hiring individuals who already have years of experience in the industry, can confidently utilize and learn new technologies, and manage budgets and financial statements.

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Sources:

1. ZipRecruiter Marketplace Research Team. What Is an Automotive General Manager and How to Become One. ZipRecruiter. Retrieved September 26, 2024, from https://www.ziprecruiter.com/career/Automotive-General-Manager/What-Is-How-to-Become
2. AUTOJobs.com. Automotive General Manager Job Description. Autojobs.com. Retrieved September 26, 2024, from https://www.autojobs.com/jobs/general-manager-job-description/
3. Indeed Editorial Team (15 July 2024). How To Become a General Manager at a Car Dealership. Indeed. Retrieved September 26, 2024, from https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/how-to-become-general-manager-car-dealership
4. Smart4ce.com. WHAT MAKES A GREAT AUTOMOTIVE MANAGER? Smart4ce. Retrieved September 26, 2024, from https://smart4ce.com/what-makes-a-great-automotive-general-manager/