General Sales Manager

Summary

Assumes responsibility for customer retention and profitability in the new- and used-vehicle profit centers. Fulfills responsibilities primarily through effective personnel management, knowledge of market potential, established performance standards and a keen awareness of each department's break-even data.

Essential Duties

• Hires, trains, supervises and monitors the performance of the new- and used-vehicle department managers.
• Participates in the preparation of the annual dealership forecast by projecting unit sales, gross profits, expenses, and operating profits for the new- and used-sales departments.
• Meets with sales managers (new and used) to establish annual and monthly objectives for unit sales, gross profits, expenses and operating profit.
• Ensures that sales managers (new and used) understand dealership policies, procedures and sales systems.
• Provides feedback annually to new- and used-vehicle department personnel during career development sessions.
• Works with dealer and general manager to determine appropriate days' supply for new and used vehicles and orders/acquires vehicle inventory accordingly.
• Establishes standards for displaying, merchandising and maintaining new and used vehicles.
• Establishes procedures for quick disposal of over-aged vehicles.
• Issues all demonstrators and ensures that appropriate dealership records are maintained.
• Checks the condition of all demonstrators monthly.
• Audits repair orders for used vehicles as needed to ensure prompt reconditioning.
• Meets with the general manager to review monthly forecasts, commission sheets, productivity reports, and the profit performance of each department as a whole and each salesperson individually.
• Studies local market conditions, demographics, and past sales history. Makes recommendations to the general manager regarding short- and long-range advertising plans, sales promotions, staffing needs, lease promotions, and compensation plans.
• Conducts major sales promotions and advertising as needed (i.e., used-car classifieds, large new display ads, radio, Internet etc.).
• Approves all sales incentives in writing before submitting to the office.
• Addresses customer complaints to ensure high level of customer satisfaction.
• Creates systems that ensure ongoing sales training, including weekly sales meetings.
• Audits all appraisals of trade-in vehicles. Attends auction at least once monthly.
• Reviews and initials all deals before they are posted.
• Facilitates new-vehicle pre-delivery with the service manager.
• Makes sure facility is secure, well lit, and professional in appearance.
• Maintains a professional appearance.
• Attends managers meetings as requested.
• Other tasks as assigned.
  

Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

• Two to four years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Four to ten years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  

Language Skills

• Ability to read, analyze and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies or members of the business community. Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups and/or boards of directors.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret the most complex documents. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints. Ability to write speeches and articles using original or innovative techniques or style. Ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics to top management, public groups and/or boards of directors.
  

Mathematical Skills

• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
• Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations.
  

Reasoning Ability

• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

• Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems. Ability to deal with nonverbal symbolism (formulas, scientific equations, graphs etc.) in its most difficult phases. Ability to deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• VSA Licence
• Valid Driver's License

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Job Title: General Sales Manager