Job Description 

General Sales Manager

Summary

The general sales manager oversees new- and used-car sales departments, developing ambitious measurable performance goals based on real-world analytics, while building customer retention/referral business. 

Core Responsibilities

Supervise, hire and train new- and used-vehicle department managers.

General sales manager may be required to: 

• Generate annual dealership projections for gross profits, expenses, operating profits and auto unit sales.

• Be able to learn new systems installed by the manufacturer and different ordering capabilities as well as develop order campaigns accordingly.

• Establish measurable performance goals for the new- and used-auto sales departments using gross and net profits, unit sales, etc., for monthly, quarterly and annual targets.

• Understand current and future government regulations governing vehicle sales, and ensure sales management consistently follows dealership policies and procedures.

• Collaborate with dealer/general manager to ensure vehicle inventory is sufficient to meet forecasted demands, and acquire/order used or new vehicles as appropriate.

• Ensure vehicle inventory is displayed according to dealership guidelines.

• Develop procedures to liquidate overaged vehicles.

• Review and prioritize used vehicle repair orders.

• Collaborate with general manager to develop measurable targets and objectives for every department and member of the sales team, and document their performance.

• Hold weekly sales meetings and encourage team members to attend on- and off-site sales training events.

• Use demographics, sales history and regional economic forecasts to assist general manager plan advertising campaigns/promotions, staffing changes, and compensation packages.

• Work with dealership advertising agency to create result-driven campaigns with strong return on investment.

• Submit only written approved sales incentives to office.

• Confirm and initial vehicle transactions prior to posting.

• Resolve customer complaints as needed.

• Attend vehicle auctions monthly and review trade-in appraisals.

• Ensure dealership property meets manufacturer standards, has proper lighting in working order, and is secure.

• Notifies service manager of impending new vehicle delivery.

• Attend manager meetings.

In addition, general sales manager should:

• Possess basic math skills.

• Be capable of speaking with customers or employees; reading/understanding manuals, operating and maintenance instructions, and safety regulations; and writing reports and other correspondence.

• Keep work area clean and orderly.

• Be professional and courteous in attitude, wardrobe and grooming.

• Complete other duties as assigned.

Education and/or Experience

Two to four years work-related experience and/or training, or an equivalent combination.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations, Manufacturer Training

• State Sales Licenses

• Valid Driver’s License