General Sales Manager – Used Vehicle Operations Leader

Gwinnett Place Nissan | Duluth, GA

Position Overview

Gwinnett Place Nissan is seeking a high-performing, hands-on General Sales Manager with a proven history of building and leading successful used vehicle operations in a high-volume dealership environment.

The General Sales Manager’s primary responsibility is to assist the General Manager with driving both the people and financial success of variable operations, with a major emphasis on used vehicle sales, inventory management, profitability, inventory turn, and overall used car department performance.

We are looking for a true operator — someone who understands the used car business at a high level and knows how to acquire, price, merchandise, manage, and retail inventory profitably while building a culture of accountability and execution.

This is not a desk-only leadership role. Our GSMs are expected to lead from the showroom floor, actively work deals, engage customers, coach salespeople live, manage inventory aggressively, and drive performance daily.

Key Responsibilities

Used Vehicle Operations Leadership

• Lead and oversee all aspects of used vehicle operations with a strong focus on profitability, inventory turn, and volume growth
• Assist in the acquisition, pricing, merchandising, and inventory strategy for all used vehicles
• Analyze market trends, competitive pricing, and inventory aging to maximize profitability and minimize exposure
• Partner with inventory management and buying teams to source clean, desirable, high-demand inventory
• Maintain aggressive inventory turn objectives while protecting front-end gross
• Drive used vehicle performance through disciplined process management and operational accountability
• Monitor aging inventory daily and implement strategies to improve turn and profitability
• Ensure used vehicle inventory is properly marketed, merchandised, and competitively positioned online

Variable Operations Leadership

• Assist the General Manager with overseeing all aspects of variable operations including New, Used, and F&I departments
• Work closely with the General Manager, sales team, and finance leadership team to achieve monthly sales, gross, and F&I objectives
• Lead from the showroom floor and maintain an active daily presence throughout operations
• Assist with structuring deals and maximizing both front-end and back-end profitability

Sales Leadership & Team Development

• Hire, train, supervise, mentor, and monitor performance of sales consultants, finance managers, and sales managers
• Develop future automotive leaders through daily coaching, accountability, roleplay, and process management
• Create and maintain a high-energy, performance-driven sales culture
• Conduct daily sales meetings, one-on-ones, and save-a-deal sessions
• Hold the sales team accountable to lead follow-up, appointment generation, showroom traffic conversion, and CRM activity standards

Desk Management & Customer Engagement

• Consistently work the sales desk and assist with customer turn-overs
• Actively engage customers and support the sales process from greeting to delivery
• Assist sales managers and consultants with deal structure and negotiation strategy
• Ensure exceptional customer experience and strong CSI performance throughout the sales process

Process, Accountability & Financial Performance

• Be a highly detailed, process-driven leader capable of holding the staff accountable for results
• Track and improve:
  • Used vehicle volume
  • Used vehicle gross profit
  • Inventory turn
  • Aging inventory
  • Appointment performance
  • Closing percentages
  • CSI performance
  • Overall variable profitability
• Assist sales managers with ensuring manufacturer volume commitments are achieved
• Responsible for ensuring CIT lists are reviewed and resolved within required deadlines
• Partner with the General Manager to establish monthly and annual performance goals and review actual performance

Relationship & Operational Management

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with lending institutions, auctions, wholesalers, and manufacturer representatives
• Communicate management policies and operational expectations clearly and effectively
• Lead by example while ensuring company core values are demonstrated consistently throughout the dealership
• Perform additional duties as assigned by executive leadership

Qualifications

• Minimum 5+ years of automotive management experience
• Strong used vehicle operational background REQUIRED
• Previous GSM, Used Car Director, Variable Operations Director, or high-level sales leadership experience preferred
• Proven track record of success in used vehicle inventory management and profitability
• Demonstrated history of increasing used vehicle volume while maintaining gross
• Strong desking, negotiation, inventory acquisition, and pricing abilities
• Proven history of developing high-performing sales and management teams
• Excellent CSI and customer experience history
• Strong leadership presence with a hands-on management style
• Must thrive in a fast-paced, high-accountability environment

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for a leader who:

• Lives and understands the used car business
• Knows how to maximize inventory turn and profitability
• Leads from the front instead of behind a desk
• Understands both operational execution and financial performance
• Can build accountability, urgency, and culture
• Has a passion for developing people and driving results
• Brings energy, professionalism, and intensity every day

Why Gwinnett Place Nissan?

At Gwinnett Place Nissan, we are building a high-performance culture centered around:

• Integrity
• Transparency
• Professionalism
• Teamwork
• Respect

If you are a proven automotive leader with a strong used car background and a passion for building profitable operations while leading from the front lines, we want to speak with you.