Center Manager - Auto Service Leader & Growth

Grease Monkey International; Waukegan (IL); On-site; USD 61,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Grease Monkey International in Waukegan, IL is seeking a Center Manager to lead our service center with an owner mindset. You will drive customer experience, sales, profitability, and team performance while overseeing vehicle health checks, fleet partnerships, and staffing.

The role requires a hands‑on leader who builds a high‑performing team, maintains safety and compliance, and manages P&L with a focus on growth and efficiency.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• 3+ years of people leadership experience; automotive or service retail management preferred.
• Strong understanding of P&L management, cost control, and revenue growth strategies.
• Proven track record of achieving or exceeding sales and operational KPIs.
• Experience in a high-volume, customer-facing environment (automotive, retail, restaurant, or similar).
• Comfortable using POS systems, scheduling tools, and standard business software.
• Strong business acumen, problem-solving ability, and decision‑making skills.

Responsibilities

• Deliver a best-in-class customer experience grounded in trust, transparency, and efficiency.
• Build lasting relationships with customers and local fleet accounts to drive repeat business.
• Lead the execution of a consistent, high-quality sales process including vehicle health checks and service recommendations.
• Drive revenue growth by meeting or exceeding sales targets across services, memberships (if applicable), and fleet partnerships.
• Resolve customer concerns with urgency and professionalism, ensuring follow-through and documentation.
• Own and manage the center’s Profit & Loss (P&L), including revenue, labor, and operating expenses.
• Control costs across labor, parts, inventory, and overall shop expenses.
• Oversee daily operations including service bay efficiency, workflow, scheduling, and store readiness.
• Maintain accurate inventory levels and ensure proper ordering, usage, and tracking of parts and supplies.
• Execute scheduling, reporting, and administrative tasks with precision using company systems.
• Lead from the front—actively working alongside your team in daily operations.
• Build, coach, and develop a high-performing team of service technicians and leaders.
• Create a culture rooted in accountability, teamwork, safety, and customer obsession.
• Own the full employee lifecycle: hiring, onboarding, training, performance management, and, when necessary, discipline and termination.
• Ensure all team members are trained, certified, and technically proficient.
• Establish clear expectations, performance standards, and development plans.
• Champion a safety‑first environment—ensuring strict adherence to OSHA and company safety standards.
• Conduct regular safety training, inspections, and enforce compliance across all operations.
• Ensure all equipment and service areas are properly maintained, functional, and safe.
• Monitor and protect company assets, customer vehicles, and facility security.
• Maintain compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations.
• Build strong relationships within the local community to drive awareness and business growth.
• Partner with leadership on marketing initiatives and local promotions.
• Identify opportunities to grow the business through innovation, partnerships, and operational improvements.

Skills

People leadership

P&L management

Revenue growth

Customer experience

Decision making

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

POS systems

Scheduling tools

Standard business software

Job description

Grease Monkey International in Waukegan, IL is seeking a Center Manager to lead our service center with an owner mindset. You will drive customer experience, sales, profitability, and team performance while overseeing vehicle health checks, fleet partnerships, and staffing.

The role requires a hands‑on leader who builds a high‑performing team, maintains safety and compliance, and manages P&L with a focus on growth and efficiency.