General Manager

Wessex Garages; Gloucester; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Holiday entitlement

Pension scheme

Cycle to Work

Eye tests

Wellbeing support

Event tickets

Job summary

Wessex Garages in Gloucester is seeking a dynamic General Manager to lead our Nissan and Kia site. You will be responsible for day-to-day operations, drive financial performance, and provide decisive leadership across Sales, Aftersales and Parts.

The role demands strong leadership, stakeholder management, and the ability to analyse data to improve performance. Driving customer satisfaction and ensuring compliance with manufacturer guidelines are key priorities.

Qualifications

• Experience as General Manager in motor trade.
• Proven leadership and coaching ability.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Analytical mindset with data-driven approach.

Responsibilities

• Oversee Sales, Aftersales and Parts departments across the site.
• Set annual financial and growth objectives and monitor performance.
• Prepare dealership reporting and forecasting in line with group standards.
• Drive customer satisfaction and ensure compliance with manufacturer guidelines.
• Lead, coach and develop the leadership team to achieve targets.

Skills

Leadership

Team motivation

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Job description

Wessex Garages is a highly successful and stable business renowned for its customer focused approach and outstanding brand performance. We are currently looking for a dynamic and visionary General Manager to lead our Nissan and Kia site in Gloucester. This pivotal role involves overseeing the day-to-day operations, taking full responsibility for financial performance, and providing effective leadership.

Key Responsibilities

As the General Manager, you will assume overall accountability for the financial and people performance of a range of departments within our dealerships including Sales, Aftersales and Parts. Your key responsibilities will include:

Leadership And Team Management

• Lead, coach, and motivate a team of automotive retail professionals, ensuring all departments are adequately staffed.
• Foster a high-performance culture that recognises and rewards exceptional achievements while effectively addressing underperformance.

Financial Planning And Performance

• Establish annual financial and growth objectives for each department, devising strategies to meet profit and product targets.
• Prepare accurate dealership reporting and forecasting in adherence to group reporting frameworks.
• Oversee dealership marketing strategies aligned with manufacturer guidelines to support business objectives.
• Drive outstanding levels of customer satisfaction in Sales, Aftersales and Parts, coaching the leadership team to achieve the same.

Compliance And Regulation

• Ensure all dealership activities comply with Wessex Garages, manufacturer, and regulatory requirements.
• Possess knowledge of manufacturer metrics, such as dealer balanced scorecard, to drive operational excellence.

Required Experience

To excel in this role, it is crucial to have prior experience as a General Manager alongside motor trade experience. In addition to the relevant experience, the ideal candidate will demonstrate the following attributes:

• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to inspire, coach, and motivate a diverse team.
• Professionalism and composure, along with exceptional stakeholder management skills for internal and external relationships.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, utilising available data to identify potential challenges across all departments.
• Forward-thinking mindset and excellent communication skills.

Why Join Wessex Garages?

Benefits

We’re committed to supporting our people with a range of benefits designed to promote wellbeing, reward loyalty, and enhance your overall experience at work:

• Holiday Allowance – Enjoy 22 days of annual leave plus bank holidays, with extra days added the longer you stay with us.
• Pension Scheme – We contribute to your future with company-backed pension support.
• Exclusive Employee Schemes – Take advantage of our discounted car purchase programme and Cycle to Work scheme after completing your probation.
• Wellbeing Support – Through our partnership with Menable, a specialist service for the automotive sector, you’ll have free access to confidential coaching, wellbeing check ins, and referral support where needed.
• Health Benefits – We provide complimentary eye tests and flu vaccination vouchers to help you stay healthy year-round.
• Event Perks – As proud sponsors of Bristol Bears Rugby, we offer a limited number of free tickets to each game for our colleagues.

Please Note

• Driving licence checks will be carried out during the recruitment process.
• We are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.
• Candidates must have the right to work in the UK, and this will be verified as part of the recruitment process.

Reference VAN0591