Lead Automotive Detailer

Lead Automotive Detailer

Irvine, California

About the Job

Location: Irvine, CA (Onsite) Position: Lead Automotive Detailer Salary: $32 - $34 per Hour

About Ever

At Ever, we're transforming the way people buy electric vehicles by delivering a premium customer experience from start to finish. Every vehicle that reaches our showroom or customer has gone through a meticulous inspection and reconditioning process. As an Automotive Detailer, you'll play a critical role in ensuring every vehicle looks its absolute best before it reaches its next owner.

Position Summary

The Lead Automotive Detailer is responsible for both hands-on vehicle detailing and leading the daily detailing operation. This position serves as the subject matter expert for vehicle appearance and cosmetic quality while coordinating a team of detailers to support Ever's reconditioning process.

The ideal candidate is an experienced automotive detailer with leadership capabilities who enjoys building efficient processes, maintaining high quality standards, mentoring teammates, and ensuring vehicles are consistently prepared for retail sale.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Operations

• Lead the daily activities of the detailing team while maintaining a positive and collaborative work environment.
• Create and manage weekly schedules to ensure detailing coverage seven days per week.
• Coordinate workload and prioritize vehicles based on production deadlines and business needs.
• Establish, document, and continuously improve Ever's detailing processes and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Define cosmetic quality standards to ensure every vehicle meets Ever's retail-ready expectations.
• Perform quality inspections before vehicles move to photography, merchandising, or customer delivery.
• Coach and mentor detailing team members on proper techniques, efficiency, and quality expectations.
• Partner with Recon, Operations, Logistics, and Sales teams to ensure vehicles are completed on schedule.
• Track detailing productivity and identify opportunities to improve turnaround time and operational efficiency.

Inventory & Equipment

• Manage inventory of detailing chemicals, tools, consumables, and equipment.
• Select, evaluate, and purchase detailing supplies while balancing quality, cost, and operational needs.
• Maintain detailing equipment and coordinate repairs or replacement when necessary.
• Ensure chemicals and equipment are stored and handled safely in accordance with company policies.

Vehicle Detailing

• Perform complete interior and exterior detailing to showroom standards.
• Wash, clay bar, polish, wax, and apply protective coatings when required.
• Vacuum, shampoo carpets, clean upholstery, condition leather, and sanitize interiors.
• Remove stains, water spots, adhesive residue, and other cosmetic imperfections.
• Operate buffers, polishers, extractors, steam cleaners, pressure washers, and other detailing equipment safely.
• Identify cosmetic issues requiring additional repair or paint correction and communicate findings to the recon team.
• Prepare vehicles for photography, showroom display, customer delivery, and transportation.

Qualifications

Required

• 5+ years of professional automotive detailing experience.
• Previous experience leading or mentoring a detailing team in a dealership, reconditioning center, fleet, or automotive environment.
• Strong understanding of dealership vehicle reconditioning processes.
• Experience creating quality standards and improving operational workflows.
• Experience managing detailing chemicals, equipment, and supply inventory.
• Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple vehicles while meeting production deadlines.
• Valid driver's license with a clean driving record.

Preferred

• Experience detailing luxury or electric vehicles.
• Paint correction and ceramic coating experience.
• Experience with inventory purchasing and vendor management.
• Ability to drive manual transmission vehicles is a plus.

Physical Requirements

To successfully perform the essential functions of this position, an employee must be able to:

• Stand and walk for extended periods throughout the workday.
• Frequently bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, twist, and work in confined spaces.
• Lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50 pounds regularly and occasionally more with assistance.
• Enter and exit vehicles repeatedly throughout the day.
• Operate manual and powered detailing equipment, including pressure washers, polishers, buffers, steam cleaners, extractors, and vacuums.
• Perform repetitive hand, wrist, and arm movements while cleaning, polishing, and detailing vehicles.
• Work both indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, and direct sunlight.
• Tolerate exposure to vehicle exhaust, cleaning chemicals, soaps, waxes, and other automotive products while following all required safety procedures and using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Safely drive and maneuver vehicles on company property and in parking areas.
• Maintain visual attention to detail to identify cosmetic imperfections, cleanliness standards, and quality issues.
• Work safely in a fast-paced production environment while adhering to company safety policies and procedures.

What Success Looks Like

• A consistently high-quality detailing operation with minimal rework.
• Standardized detailing procedures that improve efficiency and consistency.
• Full seven-day staffing coverage that supports production demands.
• Inventory is well-managed with minimal waste or downtime due to supply shortages.
• Vehicles consistently meet Ever's cosmetic quality standards before reaching customers.
• Strong collaboration with Recon, Logistics, Operations, and Sales teams.
• A motivated, well-trained detailing team that delivers exceptional results.

Why Join Ever

• Competitive compensation.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and additional employee benefits.
• Paid time off and company-supported employee programs.
• Career growth opportunities within Operations and Reconditioning.
• Opportunity to build and lead Ever's detailing program as the company continues to scale.
• Modern equipment and a collaborative team environment focused on operational excellence.

Ever is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds and experiences to apply.

Reasonable Accommodation

Ever is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process or to perform the essential functions of this position, please let us know.