Service Manager- Kia experience preferred

Job Summary:

Parkway Family Kia is seeking an experienced Service Manager to lead our service department in Kingwood, Texas. This is a key leadership position responsible for the overall performance of the department, including customer satisfaction, employee development, technician productivity and efficiency, profitability, warranty compliance, and day-to-day service operations.

The ideal candidate is an experienced automotive service leader who can build and develop a strong team, maintain high operational standards, deliver an exceptional customer experience, and consistently drive department performance. Previous Kia or other manufacturer dealership experience is preferred.

About Parkway Family Auto Group:

Parkway Family Auto Group is locally owned and operated and has served the Houston area for more than 45 years. Our growing automotive group includes multiple dealership locations and brands throughout Texas. We are committed to providing our employees with the tools, training, facilities, and opportunities needed to succeed.

Benefits:

- Medical, dental, and vision insurance

- Life and short-term disability insurance

- 401(k) with company match

- Paid vacation

- Paid holidays

- Continuous training and professional development

- Employee discounts on vehicles, parts, and service

- Opportunities for advancement within a growing dealer group

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

- Lead the overall day-to-day operations and performance of the service department.

- Establish department goals and objectives and develop strategies to achieve sales, gross profit, productivity, efficiency, and customer satisfaction targets.

- Recruit, hire, train, develop, motivate, and manage service advisors, technicians, dispatchers, and other service department personnel.

- Maintain appropriate staffing levels and ensure employees are properly trained and certified for their positions.

- Prepare, manage, and monitor the service department operating budget.

- Review department financial and operational performance regularly and take corrective action when necessary.

- Monitor technician productivity, efficiency, unapplied time, work in process, comebacks, and other key performance indicators.

- Monitor open repair orders and ensure all vehicles, repair orders, and work in process are properly accounted for.

- Ensure repair orders are accurate, complete, properly documented, and processed in a timely manner.

- Maintain appropriate labor pricing and service menus for customer-pay and warranty work.

- Ensure compliance with Kia warranty policies, procedures, documentation requirements, and manufacturer standards.

- Monitor warranty receivables and outstanding warranty payments.

- Maintain required dealership and manufacturer reporting.

- Work closely with the Parts Manager to maintain appropriate parts availability, stocking levels, and efficient service-to-parts coordination.

- Maintain high standards for repair quality and minimize comebacks through proper processes, accountability, and quality-control procedures.

- Address customer concerns promptly and professionally and work toward appropriate resolutions.

- Establish processes for customer follow-up and continuously monitor customer satisfaction.

- Build strong customer relationships that encourage repeat and referral business.

- Maintain a clean, professional, organized, and safe service department.

- Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including workplace safety and environmental requirements.

- Ensure proper care, storage, accountability, and inventory of dealership tools and equipment.

- Monitor shop equipment needs and recommend repairs, replacements, or purchases when appropriate.

- Stay current on manufacturer communications, technical bulletins, service policies, programs, and training requirements.

- Maintain required manufacturer certifications and training standards for department personnel.

- Conduct regular meetings with service advisors, technicians, dispatchers, shop foremen, and other department personnel.

- Work closely with dealership leadership and other departments to promote teamwork and efficient dealership operations.

- Serve as the primary service department liaison with Kia representatives and other manufacturer contacts.

- Attend dealership management meetings, manufacturer meetings, training programs, and other required events.

- Maintain a professional appearance and represent Parkway Family Kia in a professional manner at all times.

- Perform other duties as necessary to support the successful operation of the service department.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

The Service Manager is responsible for the leadership and performance of service department personnel. Responsibilities include recruiting and hiring employees; training and development; scheduling and assigning work; evaluating performance; coaching and counseling employees; recognizing strong performance; administering corrective action when necessary; and addressing employee or departmental concerns.

Qualifications:

- Minimum of 4 years of automotive dealership service experience, with service management or comparable leadership experience strongly preferred.

- Kia dealership experience preferred.

- Demonstrated ability to lead and develop service advisors, technicians, and support personnel.

- Strong understanding of dealership service operations, repair-order processes, warranty administration, technician productivity and efficiency, and customer-pay operations.

- Working knowledge of dealership financial statements and service department performance metrics.

- Strong customer-service and problem-solving skills.

- Ability to effectively manage customer concerns and escalations.

- Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills.

- Familiarity with dealership management systems and manufacturer service systems.

- Ability to understand and comply with manufacturer policies and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.

- Manufacturer training and certifications preferred.

- ASE certifications are a plus but are not required.

- Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record.

Ability to Commute/Relocate:

Kingwood, TX: Reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (Required).

Parkway Family Auto Group is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.