An automotive accountant interprets, compiles, and maintains automotive accounting information for dealerships. They typically work in an accounting office within an automotive group and spend their days analyzing financial data, general ledger accounts, and financial records for accuracy. They leverage accounting software to prepare financial statements, oversee accounts payable and bookkeeping tasks. They create respective reports and perform other office duties that support dealership accounting processes, as needed. An automotive accountant may work in an automotive industry headquarters office or dealership management group in a part-time or full-time capacity.

An automotive finance manager works in an automotive dealership and presents car buyers with various financing options, lending institutions, interest rates, and more. A finance director or finance manager generally serves as an intermediary between finance companies and the car dealership during the car sales process. They strive to ensure customer satisfaction while also maximizing dealer revenue. They are required to complete all documentation required by federal and local regulations for each transaction and may fill out car sale contracts, set payoff values, and conduct credit checks. They must have strong written and verbal communication skills and attention to detail. The automotive finance manager typically works in an automotive dealership.

An automotive general sales manager oversees sales personnel, interacts with customers, and monitors financials and budgets within an automotive dealership’s sales department. They must create and implement plans that successfully maintain key performance indicators related to customer retention, profitability, and more. Whether for used or new car sales departments, auto sales managers must balance positive profit margins and customer satisfaction. Strong communication skills and sales management experience, along with strong ethical standards, are needed. They typically work full-time for an auto group or dealership and are compensated with a combination of base salary and vehicle sales commission.

Automotive parts manager employees are crucial to successful service departments. Responsibilities include inventory management, parts operations, and ordering. They are also required to track retail budgets ensuring profit, and manage employees of the automotive parts department. They must ensure that replacement parts inventory is maintained at an appropriate level to increase service department efficiency and customer satisfaction. Many also serve as sales representatives for auto parts, requiring strong customer service skills. They typically work at dealership automotive service centers, auto parts stores, and vehicle manufacturer repair or body shops.

Automotive technicians diagnose and solve vehicle issues using various equipment, from computerized diagnostic equipment to hand tools. They conduct routine maintenance on certain auto parts and components, but most of their work focuses on servicing automobiles' software, electronic, or computer systems. Automotive technicians will help with the full process of the inspecting, maintaining, and repairing of vehicles. They work on traditional motors and transmissions and have a comprehensive understanding of computer and electronic systems like those that control braking systems, automotive steering, accident-avoidance sensors, and more. They may also work on cars and trucks that rely on alternative fuels and electricity. The automotive technician's work environment includes car dealerships, service departments, repair shops, or autobody centers.

A dealership office manager completes operational and administrative tasks to ensure day-to-day operations run smoothly at auto dealerships. They oversee protocol and internal controls within the accounting office and accounts receivable departments. They collaborate with general and financial managers to oversee operations and client satisfaction. They track systems for office supplies, paperwork filing, bookkeeping, and other office management tasks. A dealership office manager may manage office staff, and depending on the size of the automotive group, some human resources tasks.

A car dealership service manager is responsible for supervising auto service technicians, mechanics, service advisors, car porters, and other automotive service department employees. They ensure positive profit margins for service and vehicle repairs, build and maintain customer relationships, and field customer complaints. They are typically employed on a full-time basis and may work evenings and weekends.

Mechanics work to diagnose, troubleshoot, and fix vehicle malfunctions through a series of visual and diagnostic testing, test drives, and other methods. A mechanic is responsible for performing routine maintenance such as oil changes, tire rotations, structural work, and repairs from auto accidents. They must speak to customers about their automobiles’ performance and history, inspect mechanical components, and prepare repair cost estimates. The mechanic establishes repair work timelines, and discusses options with customers. They must be mechanically minded and proficient in using diagnostic equipment, hand tools, and other necessary equipment. Mechanics often work in car dealerships, repair shops, service centers, or other auto body settings.

A service advisor coordinates automotive services and repairs. They help address vehicle performance issues for customers and draft automotive service cost estimates that carefully detail fees for supplies, materials, and time/labor. Service advisors also field customer complaints and offer cost savings or discounts when appropriate. Greeting customers, addressing customer concerns, and ensuring that automotive technicians meet customer needs all fall under a service advisor role. They typically work at new and used car dealerships on a full-time basis.

Automotive cashiers work directly with customers on vehicle service recommendations and repairs. Their day-to-day cashier job spans various tasks, such as greeting customers, scheduling service appointments, creating estimates and invoices, and printing payment and repair order documents. They ensure accurate credit card payments and cash handling at the service counter. They understand that providing fast and friendly service is critical to ensuring customer satisfaction. Depending on the company’s size, they may also serve as front desk receptionists in dealerships or service centers. In a dealership setting, an automotive cashier accepts deposits, completes payments for extending warranties, and handles other purchases. Automotive cashiers are typically employed at automotive dealerships or automotive service companies and may work part-time or full-time as needed.

An automotive general manager oversees all aspects of an automotive dealership’s daily operations, including staffing, procedures, operational budget, and sales monitoring. They establish employee protocols and work closely with the general sales manager to track the auto group’s progress toward unit sales goals, profitability, and other quotas. Auto general managers must be tactical while overseeing sales teams, inventory, and business operations. They devote significant time to planning, strategizing, and measuring car sales and processes. They determine future training needs of store managers, sales associates, and service department team members. An automotive general manager’s ultimate goal is to ensure customer satisfaction and smooth daily operations of the dealership.

An automotive marketing coordinator is responsible for creating and implementing marketing strategies that support business development and drive new business for an auto dealership. Their job responsibilities support a larger marketing team that increases brand awareness through digital and traditional marketing channels. Marketing coordinators collaborate with the marketing manager to identify trends through market research and create engaging marketing campaigns. They leverage content management systems, help develop marketing plans, and devise advertising strategies to reach car dealership goals. The marketing coordinator typically works full-time at a car dealership, showroom, corporate office, automotive service center, or large service shop.

An automotive sales representative is responsible for selling used and new cars on the dealership floor. These individuals facilitate every aspect of the car sales process including maintaining a strong customer database, greeting potential customers, coordinating test drives, assisting with trade-in value, and negotiating vehicle prices. To be a successful car salesperson, they must ask the right questions and be keen listeners. They use the information that potential customers share to present car options that meet their lifestyle needs, personal preferences, desired perks, and budgets. They earn an average salary that’s often supplemented with monthly or quarterly performance-based bonuses.

A car dealership executive assistant provides essential administrative support to high-level executives throughout the automotive group. Individuals in these roles are responsible for administrative tasks such as making travel arrangements, managing itineraries, scheduling meetings, and organizing filing systems. Additional duties include answering phone calls, transcribing messages, preparing expense reports, managing the inventory for office supplies, etc. They must have excellent data entry and communication skills. They may work full-time or part-time in car dealership settings.

Although a dealership receptionist’s role can range from various administrative and clerical duties, the primary responsibilities include providing excellent customer service. They must operate the switchboard, answer phone calls, respond to emails, serve as greeters, and professionally manage the reception area. Organization and communication skills are essential for this role, requiring everything from troubleshooting the dealership’s computer system to interpreting a customer’s bill or promptly directing a complaint to the appropriate person. A dealership receptionist typically works at a front desk within an automotive dealership, and shifts may range from part-time with variable hours to full-time.

Dealership service porters or auto porters are primarily responsible for moving and parking vehicles in the automotive dealership parking lot to accommodate the needs of mechanics, sales representatives, car buyers, and other visitors. They may conduct light vehicle maintenance, such as checking oil or topping off fluids, interior cleaning, exterior washing, and organizational tasks like placing stickers or tags on cars. Dealership service porters drive new cars to customers and ensure vehicles are in tip-top shape for handing off the keys. Other routine responsibilities include keeping tabs on cars’ locations on the lot and ensuring spaces are neat and clean by picking up litter or shoveling snow. Auto or dealership service porter jobs are typically entry-level, include on-the-job training, and often have part-time and full-time shifts. Auto porters work at car dealerships and spend a lot of time outside.

A new car sales representative is a car salesman at a dealership, lot, or showroom that sells new vehicles. They typically work under a sales manager to sell to potential and existing customers delivering a high customer satisfaction level that leads to returning car buyers. They have excellent communication skills and negotiation skills and maintain a professional appearance. They facilitate all aspects of the auto sales process, suggest trade-in values, coordinate and join test drives, present financing options, showcase new car features, and more. They usually work full time with varying evening and weekend hours and earn a salary supplemented by commission from automotive sales and incentives for meeting sales goals.

Used car sales representatives are responsible for prospecting customers, increasing used car sales, and ensuring customer satisfaction. A used car salesperson may work in a dealership, car lot, or other showroom setting centered on vehicle sales. They generally have outgoing personalities, maintain a professional appearance, have excellent customer service skills, and are strong negotiators. Used car sales representatives greet potential customers, facilitate test drives, assess trade-in values, and more.