Center Manager-175

Grease-Monkey; Normal (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Grease-Monkey in Normal, IL seeks a Center Manager to lead daily operations, deliver exceptional customer experiences, and drive sales and profitability at the center. You will balance hands-on bay work with strategic oversight of revenue, costs, safety, and talent development.

This role requires 3+ years of people leadership in automotive or service retail, strong P&L acumen, and the ability to build a high-performing, safety-first team while fostering community relationships and fleet

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• 3+ years of people leadership experience.
• Automotive or service retail management experience preferred.
• Strong understanding of P&L management, cost control, and revenue growth.
• Experience in a high-volume, customer-facing environment.
• Proficiency with POS systems, scheduling tools, and standard business software.

Responsibilities

• Lead customer experience and sales performance, building relationships with customers and fleet accounts.
• Own and manage the center’s P&L, control costs, and oversee inventory and parts usage.
• Oversee daily operations, scheduling, and store readiness; ensure safety and compliance.
• Develop and coach a high-performing team, manage hiring, onboarding, and performance reviews.
• Foster community engagement and partnerships to drive business growth.

Skills

People leadership

P&L management

Sales growth

Customer-facing

Communication

Problem-solving

Decision-making

Integrity

Safety

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

POS systems

Scheduling tools

Business software

Job description

Role OverviewThe Center Manager is the operational and cultural leader of the service center, responsible for delivering exceptional customer experiences while driving sales, profitability, and team performance. This role owns the full business—balancing hands-on leadership in the bay with strategic oversight of revenue, cost control, safety, and talent development.You operate with an owner’s mindset, ensuring the center runs efficiently, safely, and profitably while building a high-performing, service-driven team. From vehicle health checks and fleet relationships to staffing, compliance, and P&L management, you are accountable for every aspect of the operation.Key ResponsibilitiesCustomer Experience & Sales PerformanceDeliver a best-in-class customer experience grounded in trust, transparency, and efficiencyBuild lasting relationships with customers and local fleet accounts to drive repeat businessLead the execution of a consistent, high-quality sales process including vehicle health checks and service recommendationsDrive revenue growth by meeting or exceeding sales targets across services, memberships (if applicable), and fleet partnershipsResolve customer concerns with urgency and professionalism, ensuring follow-through and documentationOperational Excellence & Financial PerformanceOwn and manage the center’s Profit & Loss (P&L), including revenue, labor, and operating expensesControl costs across labor, parts, inventory, and overall shop expensesOversee daily operations including service bay efficiency, workflow, scheduling, and store readinessMaintain accurate inventory levels and ensure proper ordering, usage, and tracking of parts and suppliesExecute scheduling, reporting, and administrative tasks with precision using company systemsTeam Leadership & CultureLead from the front—actively working alongside your team in daily operationsBuild, coach, and develop a high-performing team of service technicians and leadersCreate a culture rooted in accountability, teamwork, safety, and customer obsessionOwn the full employee lifecycle: hiring, onboarding, training, performance management, and, when necessary, discipline and terminationEnsure all team members are trained, certified, and technically proficientEstablish clear expectations, performance standards, and development plansSafety, Compliance & Facility ManagementChampion a safety-first environment—ensuring strict adherence to OSHA and company safety standardsConduct regular safety training, inspections, and enforce compliance across all operationsEnsure all equipment and service areas are properly maintained, functional, and safeMonitor and protect company assets, customer vehicles, and facility securityMaintain compliance with all local, state, and federal regulationsCommunity & Business GrowthBuild strong relationships within the local community to drive awareness and business growthPartner with leadership on marketing initiatives and local promotionsIdentify opportunities to grow the business through innovation, partnerships, and operational improvementsQualificationsHigh school diploma or equivalent required;3+ years of people leadership experience; automotive or service retail management preferredStrong understanding of P&L management, cost control, and revenue growth strategiesProven track record of achieving or exceeding sales and operational KPIsExperience in a high-volume, customer-facing environment (automotive, retail, restaurant, or similar)Comfortable using POS systems, scheduling tools, and standard business softwareStrong business acumen, problem-solving ability, and decision-making skillsProfileOwner mentality—you think beyond the task and focus on outcomesHands-on leadership style with a willingness to step into any roleHigh energy, results-driven, and solutions-orientedAbility to adapt quickly in a fast-paced, ever-changing environmentStrong communication skills with the ability to motivate and influence othersCommitment to integrity, safety, and doing right by the customer and teamWork Environment & Physical RequirementsAbility to stand, walk, bend, and move throughout the service center for extended periodsComfortable working in a fast-paced, physically active environmentAbility to lift up to 20 poundsAvailability to work weekends and evenings hours based on business needs, expecting to spend around 50 hours per week on siteQualificationsHigh school diploma or equivalent required;3+ years of people leadership experience; automotive or service retail management preferredStrong understanding of P&L management, cost control, and revenue growth strategiesProven track record of achieving or exceeding sales and operational KPIsExperience in a high-volume, customer-facing environment (automotive, retail, restaurant, or similar)Comfortable using POS systems, scheduling tools, and standard business softwareStrong business acumen, problem-solving ability, and decision-making skills