10/04/2024 | Press release | Archived content
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.
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:
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.
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:
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:
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.
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:
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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