DealersEdge Professional Forums

Current PM @ a mid sized, busy GM dealer. Being considered for a service and parts director position at a smaller GM store. Meeting with dealer principal next week.

What questions would you ask, or what would you want to know about the current service operations before accepting or declining an offer?

Have 30 years in the business, with a few years experience as a body shop manager, and filled in as service manager for a couple of years a long time ago.

I know all the right questions to ask in regards to parts. Don't mind a challenge, but would like to avoid walking into a terrible situation.

Opinions?

Thanks!!

I have no experience in your situation but the first question that would come to mind is why is the current s/p director leaving or why did he/she leave? I would also probably want to know specific responsibilities and how much control you will have.

The grass isn't always greener on the other side, sometimes it's f***in BURNT!

How happy are you with your current position? Is your ultimate goal to step up a position, or can you be happy as a successful parts manager? Distance travelled is also a small consideration.

As a Service and Parts Director, you are responsible for everything all the time.
Fixed coverage or absorption of a fixed ops department is an interesting number to know. You can obviously ask to see the dealer daily report for the prospective dealer. You know how to read that well. CSI numbers from the past. Will you have service and parts managers or only assistants?

I know i would ask why they are not promoting from within.
If the last guy did not train anyone in some overlap could be a lot of work training for you.
Would not avoid that but gives you a heads up on what to expect.

Thanks for the comments, advice, etc. Distance is a big issue, currently over 2 hours per day travel time. Will be a 15 minnute drive tops. Offer consistent with the responsibilities, but will be some rebuilding along the way. Start in a couple weeks.

Congrats & good luck !

I would ask what the turnover rate for the position is. I have held the PM for just shy of 8yrs where I am now and have seen 10 SM's roll through here.

Yes find out how many managers they have gone through. Ask around town if you have to. Some stores are notorious for being a revolving door of employees, especially SM's. My husband has been burned multiple times as he is not from here but from the NW so he doesn't know anybody or store reputations. He's been hired by lunatic DP's with trainwreck stores. It's been a nightmare honestly.

Congrats...good luck....and may the schwartz be with you!