Director of Retail Sales

Sutton Auto Team is seeking an experienced Director of Retail Sales to lead retail sales operations across Sutton Ford in Matteson, Illinois, and Cocoa Ford in Cocoa, Florida. The Director of Retail Sales will be responsible for sales strategy, execution, and results across both dealerships, including profitability, sales effectiveness, people development, pay plans, marketing and advertising, sales processes, inventory, and customer loyalty. This position will work closely with General Managers and store sales leaders to drive consistent performance and accountability across both locations. Compensation $144,000–$180,000 annual base salary, plus commission. Commission earnings will vary based on individual performance and the applicable commission plan. Location & Schedule This position supports both Sutton Ford in Matteson, Illinois, and Cocoa Ford in Cocoa, Florida. The Director of Retail Sales will work onsite at one of the two dealerships and regularly travel between locations, generally spending approximately two weeks per month at each dealership. Candidates should ideally reside in the Chicago or Orlando/Cocoa area to allow one dealership to serve as their home location. This is primarily a Monday–Friday position; however, flexibility may be required based on business needs and travel between dealership locations. Key Responsibilities Lead new and used vehicle sales performance, gross profit, variable departmental net profit, market share, and sales effectiveness. Establish dealership-specific sales plans, forecasts, budgets, performance expectations, and corrective action plans. Determine sales department structures and staffing needs and participate in recruiting, selecting, on-boarding, coaching, evaluating, and developing sales leaders and team members. Design, model, implement, and maintain sales-related pay plans, subject to executive approval as applicable. Establish and maintain consistent sales processes from initial customer contact through delivery and follow-up. Set performance and activity standards and monitor lead response, appointments, showroom execution, follow-up, CRM compliance, and manager accountability. Lead used vehicle acquisition, appraisal, pricing, reconditioning, merchandising, aging, inventory turn, and wholesale strategy. Oversee sales marketing and advertising strategy, budgets, agencies, media, and lead vendors. Develop vehicle exchange, customer loyalty, repeat business, and retention strategies. Lead dealership strategies related to manufacturer performance, President's Award, customer experience, training, and other manufacturer scorecard requirements. Establish group-wide sales policies, processes, reporting standards, and dealership-specific performance expectations. Partner with dealership leadership to address performance gaps and implement corrective action when expectations are not met. Qualifications College degree required; degree in Business Administration, Automotive Management, or a related field preferred. 10+ years of progressive automotive retail leadership experience. 5+ years of successful leadership experience as a General Sales Manager, General Manager, Market Director, multi-store sales leader, or similar position. Proven track record of improving sales performance and profitability within automotive retail operations. Strong knowledge of new and used vehicle sales, financial statements, inventory management, CRM execution, digital marketing, customer retention, and talent development. Experience leading multiple dealerships or a large, complex automotive operation preferred. Ford experience preferred. Strong leadership, communication, organizational, analytical, and decision-making skills. Ability to regularly travel between the Illinois and Florida dealership locations. Hands‑on leadership style with the ability to develop managers and translate strategy into consistent daily execution. Leadership Expectations The successful candidate will be performance-driven, financially astute, organized, and highly accountable. This individual should be able to create urgency while maintaining a productive working environment, preserve gross while growing volume, develop team members and leaders, and appropriately address performance concerns. The Director of Retail Sales is expected to model Sutton Auto Team's PRUIT core values: Personal Growth, Respect, Urgency, Integrity, and Teamwork. Benefits Medical, dental, and vision insurance Life and AD&D insurance Supplemental insurance options 401(k) Paid leave Sutton Auto Team is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment based on any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. #J-18808-Ljbffr