General Manager

Cox Automotive; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent automotive services company in Birmingham seeks a General Manager for Manheim Auctions. This role involves strategic leadership, team management, and ensuring high-quality services for customers, all while driving financial efficiency and performance. Candidates should have extensive senior management experience in automotive or large-scale auction environments, along with a proven track record of delivering results. This position offers competitive benefits along with opportunities for growth within the company's expansive network.

Benefits

Exclusive discounts

Cashback offers

Birthday off every year

Well-Being Day

Paid Charity Day

Opportunities for career progression

Competitive pension scheme

Qualifications

• Extensive experience at a senior level within large-scale auction or automotive environments.
• Strong focus on achievement and delivery with a pragmatic problem-solving approach.
• Skilled in motivating and developing diverse teams in fast-paced settings.

Responsibilities

• Champion customer success by building strong client relationships.
• Foster a high-performance culture and manage talent development.
• Achieve financial targets and optimise process efficiency.

Skills

Senior Management Expertise

Results-Driven Mindset

Exceptional Leadership

Health & Safety Knowledge

Quality Management

Outstanding Communication

Organisational Excellence

Process Improvement

Accountability & Agility

Performance Coaching

Job description

General Manager Manheim Auctions - Birmingham 40 hours a week (Monday - Friday) Accelerate your career with a company that leads the way! The General Manager is responsible for the strategy, development and direction of the auction site to ensure that the company's business objectives are consistently achieved. The successful candidate will be accountable for ensuring the operational team is provided with the leadership, support and resources required to successfully deliver, whilst ensuring services meet, and exceed, performance and high‑quality standards for its customers. This responsibility extends to managing the financial efficiency of the auction site from both a business and customer perspective.

What You'll Be Doing

• Champion Customer Success – Build strong client relationships, identify new business opportunities, and deliver exceptional service that meets contractual KPIs.
• Lead and Inspire People – Foster a high‑performance culture, manage talent development, and ensure fair, consistent HR practices across the team.
• Drive Performance – Achieve financial targets, optimise efficiency, and implement robust processes to minimise losses and maximise vehicle value.
• Shape Industry Standards – Develop innovative solutions, build strategic networks, and create business plans that position us as an industry leader.
• Enhance Products & Services – Lead improvement projects, embrace multichannel sales platforms, and ensure product and service targets are consistently met.

We're Looking for a Proven Leader with the Following Qualities

• Senior Management Expertise – Extensive experience at a senior level within large‑scale auction, De‑fleet, Vehicle Services or other closely related automotive environments.
• Results‑Driven Mindset – Strong focus on achievement and delivery, with a creative yet pragmatic approach to problem‑solving.
• Exceptional Leadership – Ability to motivate, engage, and develop diverse teams in complex, fast‑paced settings.
• Health & Safety Knowledge – In‑depth understanding of H&S practices and compliance.
• Quality Management – Familiarity with quality assurance processes and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Outstanding Communication – Skilled in influencing, negotiation, and delivering clear oral, written, and presentation messages.
• Organisational Excellence – Ability to prioritise, manage multiple projects, and meet deadlines effectively.
• Process Improvement – Experience implementing system and process changes to enhance productivity and efficiency.
• Accountability & Agility – Reliable, adaptable, and committed to delivering results within defined timescales.
• Performance Coaching – Skilled in reviewing team performance and developing talent through coaching and mentoring.

We're Committed to Inclusion

Manheim Auction Services is proud to be part of Cox Enterprises – a family‑run company with a 120‑year legacy of innovation and forward thinking. As the world's largest automotive services organisation, we are a global force with more than 24,000 team members supporting over 40,000 customers worldwide. At Manheim, we believe our differences drive us forward. We champion a culture where everyone – our people, clients, and communities – can thrive together, united by respect, inclusion, and a shared passion for progress. Diversity isn't just a value; it's a vital part of our success. Manheim Auction Services offers a seamless blend of physical and digital auctions, connecting buyers and vendors with an extensive range of vehicles. Whether in person or online, we're redefining the vehicle auction experience – one transaction at a time.

Benefits

As a Cox Automotive team member, you'll have access to a wide range of benefits, including exclusive discounts, cashback offers, and our brilliant peer‑to‑peer recognition scheme. And there's even more to enjoy:

• Option to buy additional holiday days
• Your birthday off every year – paid
• One annual Well‑Being Day for you to relax and recharge
• One paid Charity Day to give back and support a cause that matters to you
• Opportunities for career progression across the Cox Automotive network
• Competitive pension scheme