Automotive General Manager

General Manager - Preston FordThe General Manager is responsible for the overall leadership, profitability, and operational excellence of Preston Ford. This role is accountable for every department including Sales, Service, Parts, Collision Center (if applicable), Finance, BDC, and Administration. The General Manager develops leaders, drives performance, ensures exceptional customer experience, protects company assets, and creates a culture centered around accountability, growth, and servant leadership.The General Manager is expected to operate the dealership as if they own it, making decisions that improve profitability, customer satisfaction, employee retention, and long-term market share while maintaining Ford standards and Preston Automotive Group values.You'll oversee three growing operations:Preston FordPreston CommercialPreston Pre-OwnedThis is not a turnaround. This is not a rebuild. This is an opportunity to take an already exceptional team and build it into one of the premier Ford operations in America.If your leadership style is sitting in an office reading reports and barking orders, this isn't the place for you. If you're the first one on the showroom floor, the first one greeting guests, the first one coaching managers, the first one celebrating wins, and the first one owning the losses, we want to talk to you.This is a hands-on leadership position. We believe the best General Managers lead from the front.Winning means:Build Guests for LifeWe don't measure success by selling vehicles. We measure success by creating guests for life. Every interaction should build trust, earn loyalty, and create lifelong advocates for the Preston brand.Lead From the Front - Your office is wherever your team needs you. The showroom. The service drive. The parts department. The commercial center. The used car lot. Great leaders are visible, engaged, coaching, and inspiring every day.Develop Championship PeopleBuild leaders. Coach daily. Hold people accountable. Celebrate wins. Create a culture where associates love coming to work because they know they're growing professionally and personally.Embrace AI and InnovationTechnology isn't replacing great leaders. It's making great leaders even better. We expect our General Managers to embrace AI, leverage technology, and continually look for ways to make our teams smarter, faster, and more efficient.Be Active on Social MediaOur guests want to know who we are before they ever walk through our doors. Tell your team's story. Celebrate your associates. Highlight your guests. Build your dealership's brand every single day.Build an Unmatched Community ReputationWinning isn't confined to the dealership. Volunteer. Support local organizations. Coach youth sports. Serve on community boards. Be known as a leader who makes the entire community stronger.Drive Profitable GrowthSales matter. Service matters. Parts matter. Body Shop matters. Commercial matters. Pre-Owned matters. We expect excellence across every department because that's what world-class dealerships deliver.You have successfully led a high-volume dealership. You know how to develop people, not just manage them. You thrive on accountability. You love competition. You understand that culture is a competitive advantage. You don't make excuses. You own the results. You never stop learning. Most importantly, you're willing to roll up your sleeves and do whatever it takes to help your team win.Preston Ford is already one of the highest volume Ford dealerships in America. You'll inherit a strong team, a winning culture, and an organization committed to continuous improvement. You'll also enjoy living on Maryland's beautiful Eastern Shore, just minutes from the Chesapeake Bay, waterfront communities, world-class boating, and some of the East Coast's best beaches. This is more than a job. It's an opportunity to leave a legacy.Minimum QualificationsMinimum 10 years of automotive retail experience. Minimum 5-7 years in dealership executive management. Ford dealership leadership experience preferred. Proven success leading a high-volume dealership. Strong understanding of Fixed Operations and Variable Operations. Strong financial statement knowledge and the ability to analyze dealership financial performance. Demonstrated leadership, coaching, and employee development skills. Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving abilities. Ability to recruit, develop, and retain top-performing talent. Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.Primary ResponsibilitiesFinancial PerformanceDeliver annual Net Profit and Return on Sales objectives. Maximize profitability across all departments. Maintain healthy cash flow and control departmental expenses. Improve gross profit while protecting sales volume and market share. Manage inventory investments and frozen capital. Analyze dealership financial statements and take corrective action when necessary. Protect dealership assets and ensure long-term financial stability.Sales LeadershipResponsible for achieving: New Vehicle Sales Objectives Used Vehicle Sales Objectives Ford Sales Effectiveness Market Share Growth Fleet and Commercial Sales Growth F&I Performance Customer Retention Provides leadership and accountability to the General Sales Manager, Used Car Manager, Finance Director, and BDC Manager.Fixed Operations LeadershipResponsible for: Customer Pay Sales Growth Warranty Performance Internal Gross Profit Service Absorption Technician Productivity and Efficiency Effective Labor Rate Parts Gross Profit Service Gross Profit Parts Inventory Management Repair Order Growth Mobile Service Growth Ford Pro Performance Quick Lane Performance Customer Retention Provides leadership and accountability to the Service Manager, Parts Manager, Fixed Operations Director, and Body Shop Manager.Leadership & CultureDevelop and maintain a culture built on: Integrity Accountability Urgency Teamwork Respect Servant Leadership Continuous Improvement Personal and Professional Growth Responsibilities include: Recruiting, hiring, and retaining top talent. Coaching and developing department managers. Conducting performance evaluations and succession planning. Holding leaders accountable to performance standards. Promoting employee recognition and engagement. Resolving employee concerns professionally and consistently. Reinforcing the Preston Automotive Group culture throughout the organization.Customer ExperienceResponsible for maintaining exceptional customer satisfaction through: Sales NPS Performance Service NPS Performance Online Reputation Management Google Review Scores Customer Retention Initiatives Timely Resolution of Customer Concerns Compliance with Ford Customer Experience Standards The General Manager is expected to personally lead the resolution of escalated customer issues and ensure exceptional ownership experience.Inventory ManagementResponsible for: Maintaining the proper inventory mix. Managing inventory age and turn. Controlling frozen capital. Overseeing pricing strategy and market competitiveness. Leading vehicle acquisition efforts. Managing appraisal processes. Executing wholesale strategies. Maximizing Ford allocation opportunities.Recruiting & Talent DevelopmentMaintain a fully staffed, high-performing dealership by: Recruiting exceptional talent across all departments. Developing future leaders through coaching and mentoring. Promoting from within whenever possible. Building a strong leadership succession plan. Creating an environment where employees can grow and succeed.Compliance & Risk ManagementEnsure compliance with all applicable: Ford Motor Company standards. Preston Automotive Group policies and procedures. Federal, state, and local regulations. FTC and consumer protection requirements. OSHA safety standards. Human Resources policies. Finance and insurance compliance requirements. Privacy and data security regulations.Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)Financial PerformanceNet Profit Return on Sales Expense Control EBITDA Cash FlowSales PerformanceNew Vehicle Sales Used Vehicle Sales Ford Sales Effectiveness Market Share Front-End Gross Profit Back-End Gross Profit Finance PVR Product PenetrationFixed OperationsService Absorption (Target: 100%+) Customer Pay Sales Total Service Sales Total Parts Sales Effective Labor Rate Technician Productivity Repair Order Count Gross ProfitCustomer ExperienceSales NPS Service NPS Online Reputation Customer RetentionInventory ManagementInventory Age Inventory Turn Days Supply Frozen Capital Used Vehicle AcquisitionLeadership & PeopleEmployee Turnover Internal Promotions Hiring Success Leadership Development Employee EngagementLeadership ExpectationsA Preston Ford General Manager is expected to: Lead with integrity and professionalism. Create a culture of accountability and high performance. Develop future leaders through coaching and mentorship. Make timely, data-driven business decisions. Build and retain exceptional teams. Deliver outstanding customer experiences. Foster collaboration across all departments. Embrace innovation and continuous improvement. Represent Preston Automotive Group and the Ford brand with excellence in the community. Operate the dealership with an ownership mindset, balancing profitability, customer satisfaction, employee engagement, and long-term sustainable growth.If this sounds like you, we want to hear from you. Email the following to: View email address on click.appcast.io Include the following:A 60-second video introducing yourself and explaining why you're the right leader for Preston Ford.Your resume.Three professional references.