General Manager

Description General Manager - Preston Ford Position Summary The 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. Not everyone is built for this job. We’re not looking for someone who wants the title. We’re looking for someone who wants the responsibility. We’re looking for someone who is obsessed with building guests for life. Preston Ford is one of the highest volume Ford dealerships in the country! You’ll oversee three growing operations: Preston Ford Preston Commercial Preston Pre-Owned This 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. WHAT WINNING LOOKS LIKE The automotive industry is changing faster than ever. Inventory, pricing, and advertising still matter, but they are no longer enough. The dealerships that will dominate the next decade are the ones that master the fundamentals while embracing the future. At Preston Ford, winning means: Build Guests for Life We 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 People Build 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 Innovation Technology 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 Media Our 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 Reputation Winning 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 Growth Sales 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. WHO YOU ARE 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. WHY PRESTON? 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. Requirements Minimum Qualifications Minimum 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 Responsibilities Financial Performance Deliver 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr