GENERAL MANAGER
THE OPPORTUNITY
The General Manager is responsible for the overall performance and full P&L management of a high-volume, customer-focused, and highly reputable import automotive dealership in Red Deer, Alberta. This role provides strategic leadership across all dealership operations, ensuring operational excellence, OEM compliance, and an exceptional customer experience throughout Sales, F&I, Service, and Parts.
Reporting to Ownership/Dealer Principal, the General Manager builds and leads a high-performing leadership team, drives market share growth, optimizes inventory and fixed operations performance, and safeguards compliance, safety, and the dealership’s reputation within the local market.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Leadership & Culture
- Set and cascade annual business plans, monthly objectives, and operational standards across all departments.
- Lead daily sales and service huddles and weekly leadership meetings to drive accountability and alignment.
- Coach, develop, and retain top talent through disciplined performance management, succession planning, and engagement.
- Champion a values-driven, safety-first culture and exceptional guest experience standards.
Financial & Operational Management
- Maintain full P&L accountability, including revenue, gross, expenses, net profit, budgeting, forecasting, and variance control.
- Optimize new and used vehicle inventory, including mix, pricing, days’ supply, aging, and turn.
- Drive fixed operations excellence through capacity planning, labor rate optimization, productivity, first-time fix, parts fill rate, and absorption growth.
- Oversee F&I performance, including product penetration, compliance, disclosure standards, and chargeback control.
- Partner with finance leadership to ensure strong cash flow, internal controls, and audit readiness.
Sales, Marketing & Digital Retailing
- Achieve volume, gross, and market share targets across new, used, and F&I operations.
- Lead digital retailing, BDC, and CRM execution, ensuring strong lead management, response times, and conversion performance.
- Oversee pricing strategies aligned with market conditions and OEM programs.
- Ensure showroom, lot, and online presentation meet brand and merchandising standards.
Customer Experience & Reputation
- Own CSI and NPS performance, including proactive outreach, recovery processes, and feedback loops.
- Manage online reputation and social feedback, implementing root-cause solutions for service recovery.
- Ensure facilities and customer touchpoints consistently deliver a professional, welcoming experience.
Compliance, Safety & OEM Relations
- Ensure adherence to OEM standards, reporting requirements, and audit expectations.
- Maintain compliance with provincial consumer protection, privacy, finance, and regulatory requirements.
- Enforce health, safety, and environmental standards across all departments.
- Build and sustain strong relationships with OEM field teams, lenders, and strategic partners.
People, Process & Continuous Improvement
- Standardize core dealership processes across sales, F&I, service, and parts.
- Implement KPI dashboards, performance reviews, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Lead special projects including facility upgrades, technology implementations, and operational expansions.
QUALIFICATIONS
- 8–10+ years of progressive automotive retail leadership experience within high-volume operations.
- Previous General Manager or senior multi-department leadership experience required.
- Strong command of OEM programs, guest experience standards, and compliance expectations.
- Proven success in full P&L ownership, strategic planning, and performance improvement.
- Advanced proficiency with DMS, CRM platforms, digital retailing tools, and analytics dashboards.
- Deep understanding of Western Canadian automotive regulatory requirements.
- Exceptional leadership, communication, coaching, and change management capabilities.
- Valid driver’s license with a clean driving abstract.
KEY COMPETENCIES
- Commercial Acumen: Data-driven decision making; sharp pricing, inventory, and capacity management.
- Customer Obsession: Designs memorable experiences; closes feedback loops.
- Operational Excellence: Process discipline, standard work, and continuous improvement.
- Talent Builder: Hires for culture and performance; elevates managers.
- Integrity & Compliance: Sets the bar on ethics, safety, and regulatory adherence.
- Community Presence: Represents the dealership credibly with local partners and events.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT
DARYL HENRY | T: 403.718.5078| E: [email protected] | www.richardsonsearch.ca
