Director - Service Operations

Subaru of America; Camden (NJ); Hybrid; USD 185,000 - 215,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plans

Pension and 401K match

Vehicle discount programs

Vacation & holidays

Job summary

Subaru of America seeks a senior leader to steer the Service Operations Group, including Warranty Claims Support, SEC, Remanufacturing Quality, and Publications. You will define vision, drive KPIs, and coordinate with Finance, Legal, CAD, IT, and Audit to optimize costs and owner satisfaction across the dealer network.

You will manage the Service Operations Manager and oversee strategic initiatives, budgeting, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure consistent service quality and regulatory

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; 12–15 years of experience stated.
• Proven manager of people with delegation and performance skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple high-impact projects.
• Strong conflict resolution, strategic and organizational thinking.
• Knowledge of Japanese business culture and automotive industry.

Responsibilities

• Create vision and strategy for Service Operations aligned with organizational goals.
• Oversee Service Operations Manager across tools, remanufacturing, SEC, publications, and battery programs.
• Lead Retailer Claims Support Helpline & Operations with KPI-driven performance and policy enforcement.
• Collaborate with Finance, Legal, CAD, IT, and Audit for policy alignment.
• Maintain budget oversight and liaise with NASI for service readiness and advocacy.

Skills

People management

Strategic leadership

Budgeting & financial mgmt

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Automotive industry knowledge

Relationship building

Conflict resolution

Coaching & feedback

Leadership development

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

SUMMARY

Establishes vision, strategy, and metrics for Service Operations Group which includes Warranty Retailer Claims Support Helpline & Operations teams, Service Engineering Center (SEC), Remanufacturing Quality, Service Project Engineering, and Publications. Provides leadership and performance feedback to staff in compliance with all departmental/corporate objectives, policies, and goals.

Establishes vision, strategy, and metrics for Service Operations Group which includes Warranty Retailer Claims Support Helpline & Operations teams, Service Engineering Center (SEC), Remanufacturing Quality, Service Project Engineering, and Publications. Provides leadership and performance feedback to staff in compliance with all departmental/corporate objectives, policies, and goals. Ensures that key performance indicators (KPIs) are developed and met and that ongoing training, quality of services, and deployment of staff meet departmental objectives. Leads in defining business policies, processes, and objectives for assigned groups. Identifies and leads initiatives to address warranty cost optimization, environmental reporting, and compliance with claims policies and procedures to maximize owner satisfaction, retention, and retailer engagement.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Creates vision and strategy in support of organizational goals for the Service Operations group within the Service & Quality Department. Partners with Vice President (VP)-Service & Quality and the other Service & Quality group leads on department-level strategy and initiatives.
• Oversees and directs the activities of the Service Operations Manager, who is responsible for the following areas:
  • Special Service Tools and Retailer Equipment Programs;
  • Remanufacturing;
  • Service Engineering Center (SEC);
  • Service Publications; and
  • Battery Working Group business activities including lifecycle management, alternative use, and recycling.
• Oversees and directs the activities of the Retailer Claims Support Helpline & Operations team functions with a focus on Warranty Optimization, including, but not limited to, Japan's Financial Instruments and Exchange Law (J-SOX) compliance, policy establishment and enforcement, competitive analysis, quality assurance (QA) activities, and related field training. Ensures that key performance indicators (KPIs) are developed and met through strategic planning and they are implemented and followed through as it relates to labor/parts rates, policy, and field support.
  • Operations: Transportation Claims, Subaru Added Security (SAS) Claims, Vendor Recovery, Policy Adjustment, and Desktop Warranty Compliance processing functions including, but not limited to, J-SOX compliance, policy establishment, competitive analysis, QA activities, and related field training.
  • Retailer Claims Call Center: Business functions including, but not limited to, policy establishment, competitive analysis, claims processing metrics, and QA activities.
  • Works with Finance, Legal, Customer Advocacy Department (CAD), Information Technology (IT), and Audit functions for alignment on policy and retailer handling.
• Maintains an understanding of retailer Service and Fixed Operations and works closely with the Subaru of America (SOA) field team on policies and procedure decisions that align with the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and retailer business.
• Maintains responsibility for budget oversight and management for Service Operations.
• Works closely with North American Subaru, Inc. (NASI) leadership responsible for Service Readiness and Publications to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and advocacy on behalf of Subaru.
• Provides administrative structure, leadership, and guidance for employees' career development, reviews, and job description revisions and creation.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Communicates vision and direction to internal and external stakeholders.
• Motivates and develops others to accomplish high-level, high-quality work.
• Works well with others to build advocacy and support for projects as well as the Training and Development Group. Partners with other departments (including but not limited to Retail Operations Training, Technical Training, Field Quality Assurance [FQA], Field Service Quality [FSQ], NASI) and ensures that staff creates and nurtures relationships with peers for alignment (and to eliminate any duplication) of work and deliverables.
• Provides executive management with necessary presentation support for internal meetings (such as EMC, National Retail Advisory Board [NRAB], G8, and national- and regional-level meetings).

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS

• Bachelor's Degree required.
• At least 12-15 years required.
• Proven manager of people, with strong delegation and performance management skills and ability to lead a diverse team.
• Ability to prioritize multiple high-impact projects.
• Strong conflict resolution skills; creative thinker with innovative ideas.
• Ability to work in a team environment.
• Knowledge of the Japanese business culture
• Ability to create and maintain strong relationships in the automotive industry in order to benchmark and find best practices from competitors to improve Subaru of America (SOA) programs.
• Strong, clear communication skills to all levels of internal and external contacts.
• Strong analytical, strategic, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrable knowledge of capital budgeting and financial management.
• Expert leadership experience including the management of high-caliber self-motivated managers. Ability to provide coaching, constructive feedback, and direction to others.
• Automotive technical knowledge.
• Strong knowledge of all Service Department functional areas

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor's degree required and 12 to 15 years of experience required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Office Location: Camden, NJ apart of the Greater Philadelphia Area (Philly)
• Hybrid Role: Remote work 2 days per week (after 90 days) [Wednesdays & Fridays]
• Required Travel: 30% International and Domestic travel required

COMPENSATION

The recruiting base salary range for this full-time position is $185,000-$215,000/ year. Within the range, individual pay is determined by factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Additionally, this role is bonus-eligible, that provides an opportunity to earn even more based on your performance. (Internal Job Grade: D2)

WHY JOIN US?

Total Rewards & Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, Vision Plans
• Pension, Profit Sharing, and 401K Match Offerings
• 15 Vacation days, 5 Floating Holidays, and 5 Sick days, and 9 Company Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement Program: $15,000 yearly benefit
• Vehicle Discount Programs

Learning & Development:

• Professional growth and development opportunities
• Direct partnership with senior leadership
• Formal Mentorship Program
• LinkedIn Learning License

Visit our Careers landing page for additional information about our compensation and benefit programs.

ABOUT SUBARU

LOVE. It's what makes Subaru, Subaru®. As a leading auto brand in the US, we strive to be More Than a Car Company®. Subaru believes in being a positive force in the communities in which we live and work, not just with donations but with actions that set an example for others to follow. That's what we call our Subaru Love Promise®.

Subaru is a globally renowned automobile manufacturer known for its commitment to innovation, safety, and sustainability. With a rich history datin g back to 1953, Subaru has consistently pushed the boundaries of automotive engineering to deliver vehicles that offer not only exceptional performance but also a unique blend of utility and adventure.

Subaru's company culture is built on collaboration, diversity, and a shared passion for our product. We foster an inclusive environment that encourages employees to bring their unique perspectives and talents to the table. Our team members are driven by a common goal: to create exceptional vehicles that inspire and delight our customers.