Lead Mechanic

LEAD MECHANIC - BIG SKY BIKES, MISSOULA

Big Sky Bikes is a full-service Specialized dealer on E. Front St. in Missoula. We're hiring a Lead Mechanic to run our service department: throughput, quality, and every finished job billed.

The job comes down to four things:
* Customers are happy with the work we do, how we do it, and the value they get
* Mechanics find the work rewarding and have room to learn and advance
* The quality of every repair holds up
* Service makes a strong contribution to the shop's profitability

THE BASICS
* Pay: $27-$35/hr depending on experience
* Year-round, hourly
* Reports to: the owners
* Leads: the shop's mechanics

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Running the queue and estimates
* Own all service quotes and estimates, and make sure they're thorough, accurate, and have realistic promise dates
* Set the shop's service-writing standard: what every estimate includes, how approvals are recorded, and how long estimates are good for
* Review estimates over $500 and all warranty estimates before they go to customers
* Write estimates for the most complex jobs yourself
* Follow up weekly on unanswered estimates and track how many turn into approved work
* Set the daily stand queue and assign jobs based on skill, speed, and development goals
* Review open work orders daily: close and bill finished jobs, chase anything stuck on parts or approval
* Make sure every work order is fully itemized before checkout
* Post realistic turnaround times and keep the front counter updated

Repairs and builds
* Complete repairs, tune-ups, and builds to shop standard, in the order the Lead Mechanic sets
* Diagnose problems accurately and recommend the right fix, not just the fastest one
* Assemble new bikes to manufacturer specs, including torque values
* Diagnose and service e-bikes using dealer diagnostic tools, following battery safety rules
* Service drivetrains, hydraulic and mechanical brakes (including bleeds), wheels (truing and building), suspension, and electronic shifting
* Test ride or safety-check every bike before it's marked done

Leading the mechanics
* Build the service schedule to cover the shop while respecting people's personal needs, with at least 6 hours of scheduled work per mechanic per day
* Recruit and interview mechanics, and recommend hires to the owners
* Train mechanics, check their work, and coach them to work efficiently and professionally
* Track each mechanic's productivity (billed hours vs. hours worked) and coach to it
* Handle comebacks personally, use them as training, and report them to the owners
* Run pre-season check-ins and fall reviews with the owners
* Build rapport with the team and advocate for them with ownership

Quality and safety
* Handle the hardest repairs, e-bike diagnostics, and suspension work
* Manage warranty claims with Specialized and other brands
* Keep the service area clean, organized, and safe, including e-bike battery charging and storage
* Train and sign off mechanics on power tools and bench equipment
* Maintain, replace, and recommend shop tools

The business of service
* Own service pricing: keep the labor menu current and apply the e-bike surcharge consistently
* Order service parts and shop supplies, and record shop-use inventory in Lightspeed
* Plan seasonal capacity with the owners, including winter promotions to fill slow months
* Stay current on new standards and tech, and share it with the team and sales floor
* Anticipate the department's future needs (people, tools, space, training) and bring plans to the owners
* Meet monthly with the owners on service revenue, open work orders, and backlog

Required
* Senior mechanic skills across every service category, including suspension, hydraulic brakes, wheel building, electronic shifting, and e-bike systems
* Several years of shop service experience
* Organized enough to run a queue and a daily close-out without reminders
* Comfortable with Lightspeed work orders and basic service reports
* Able to teach, give direct feedback, and hold a standard

* Previous experience leading a service team

Nice to have
* Bicycle mechanic certification (UBI, Barnett, or similar)
* Specialized Turbo and Specialized University service certifications