New Car Sales Manager

Wessex Garages; West of England; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Holiday allowance

Pension scheme

Car purchase discount

Cycle to work

Wellbeing support

Eye tests & flu vouchers

Job summary

Wessex Garages is recruiting a New Car Sales Manager for the Kia team as we prepare to open a flagship Kia dealership at Cribbs Causeway, Bristol, in Autumn 2026. The role will start at our current Kia site in Bristol before relocation to the new site.

You will lead a high-performing sales department, drive sales performance, and ensure an exceptional customer experience while coordinating with other departments and brands. The position is based on site with a 45.5-hour week.

Qualifications

• Branded car-dealership management experience.
• Proven ability to lead a sales team to targets.
• Strong focus on customer satisfaction and experience.
• Analytical mindset for reviewing performance and market data.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and support the sales team to meet targets.
• Drive exceptional customer satisfaction and feedback-led improvements.
• Plan and execute engaging sales events and campaigns with commercial impact.
• Develop targeted sales strategies using local market insights.
• Maintain accurate customer data across departments.

Skills

Leadership

Coaching

Customer focus

Data-driven

Communication

Market awareness

Driving licence

Job description

At Wessex Garages, we’ve been putting customers first and delivering excellence in automotive retail for over 35 years. With dealerships across South Wales and the South West of England, we proudly represent leading manufacturers including Nissan, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, GWM and Mitsubishi. For these leading brands we supply new and used cars and vans, deliver after sales support and champion the Motability Scheme.
We’re proud to offer our customers and colleagues an experience built on Knowledge, Value, Transparency, and Trust — values that are at the heart of everything we do.
This is an exciting opportunity to join our Kia team as a New Car Sales Manager as we prepare to move into our brand-new flagship Kia dealership at Cribbs Causeway, Bristol, in Autumn 2026. This major investment in the Kia brand will create a state-of-the-art retail environment and offers the chance to be part of a new dealership from the very beginning.
The role will initially be based at our current Kia dealership on Feeder Road, Bristol, before relocating to Cribbs Causeway when the new site opens.
In this key leadership role, you’ll be at the forefront of a dynamic, high-performing sales department. Your focus will be on driving sales performance, fostering a positive team environment, and ensuring every customer enjoys an exceptional experience.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Leading, coaching, and supporting the sales team to consistently meet and exceed performance targets.
• Championing outstanding customer satisfaction by ensuring best practices are followed and customer feedback is valued.
• Creating and delivering engaging sales events and campaigns that generate strong commercial results.
• Staying in tune with customer needs and market trends to develop targeted sales strategies.
• Collaborating with other departments to maintain accurate and up-to-date customer data.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for someone who brings energy and a passion for the automotive industry. You’ll need:

• Proven experience in a similar management role within a branded car dealership.
• A strong track record of getting the best out of a team through coaching and clear communication.
• An understanding of local market influences and how they impact consumer behaviour.
• A customer-first mindset with a real appreciation for how service quality shapes brand reputation and business success.
• A data-driven approach, with the ability to scrutinize commercial information and act strategically.
• The foresight to anticipate challenges and the agility to respond effectively.

If you’re ready to take the next step in your automotive career and want to be part of a respected brand and a supportive team, we’d love to hear from you.

Key information

• Working Pattern: 45.5 hours a week across Mon – Sat (with a 1 hour lunch). Day off in lieu during the week. 8:30am – 6pm weekdays and 8:30am – 5pm on Saturdays. Sunday working required during March and September
• Salary: Competitive plus bonus

Why join Wessex Garages?

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:

Benefits

• 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 – Your wellbeing matters to us. Employees can access confidential support, guidance and resources covering mental health, wellbeing and life's challenges.
• Health Benefits – We provide complimentary eye tests and flu vaccination vouchers to help you stay healthy year-round.

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 VAN0629