General Manager

Day 1 Auto Group; Hayward (CA); On-site; USD 400,000 - 460,000; Full time

Job summary

Day 1 Auto Group in the San Francisco Bay Area is seeking a high-energy General Manager to lead a high-volume import dealership. This hands-on leader will desk deals, coach sales managers, and directly engage customers to close business daily.

You will drive growth across ICE, Hybrid, and EV lineups, manage P&L, optimize inventory and floorplan, and partner with Service and Parts to maximize absorption while delivering top-tier customer experiences and dealer profitability.

Qualifications

• Active deal desking on showroom floor.
• Proven record of improving sales volume and gross profit margins.
• Proficient with enterprise DMS platforms (CDK, Reynolds & Reynolds) and advanced inventory tools (vAuto, VinSolutions, MMR).
• Knowledge of the SF Bay Area automotive market and EV transition.

Responsibilities

• Active sales floor leadership and efficiency: desking deals, structuring gross profit, coaching sales consultants.
• Financial & operational excellence: manage P&L, incentives, and floorplan expenses with inventory oversight.
• Customer experience & brand alignment: drive top-tier NPS/CSI and champion customer resolutions.
• Fixed operations integration: collaborate with Service and Parts to maximize store absorption and retention opportunities.

Skills

Floor leadership

Desking deals

Customer engagement

Sales optimization

Tools

CDK

Reynolds & Reynolds

vAuto

VinSolutions

MMR

Job description

General Manager — High Volume Import Dealership

Premier Dealership Opportunity | San Francisco Bay Area, CA

Position Overview

Day 1 Auto Group is in the final stages of buying a high volume import dealership and are seeking an extraordinary, high-energy General Manager to lead operations at this dealership in the San Francisco Bay Area.

This is not a "behind-the-desk" corporate management role. We are looking for an active, floor-focused leader who thrives in the heart of dealership operations. The ideal candidate drives business from the sales floor—personally desking deals, actively coaching sales managers, and directly engaging with customers to close business daily.

As this OEM continues its meteoric rise with market-leading ICE, Hybrid, and award-winning Electric Vehicle lineups, you will lead our store through an exciting phase of growth, market share expansion, and operational elevation in one of the nation's most progressive automotive markets.

Key Responsibilities

Active Sales Floor Leadership & Efficiency

• Maintain a continuous, visible presence on the showroom floor, actively desking deals, structuring gross profit, and assisting sales consultants in closing transactions.
• Accelerate lead-to-delivery turnaround times, streamlining showroom process efficiency and optimizing BDC-to-floor workflows.
• Increase overall floor closing ratios through real-time training, daily touchpoints, and hands‑on transaction management.

Financial & Operational Excellence

• Maintain P&L accountability for total dealership operations, ensuring optimum departmental efficiency and bottom‑line profitability.
• Target and capture 100% of OEM factory bonuses and volume incentives through precision inventory and target tracking.
• Manage floorplan expenses, inventory turn rates, and aging through rigorous oversight using modern inventory management platforms.

Customer Experience & Brand Alignment

• Drive dealership culture to maintain top-tier Net Promoter Scores (NPS) and elevated Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) rankings.
• Champion customer resolution and experience standards across both Variable and Fixed operations.

Fixed Operations & Absorption Integration

• Leverage operational knowledge of Service and Parts operations to maximize total store absorption rates.
• Collaborate closely with Service leadership to build long-term customer retention, optimize service drive turnover, and capture EV maintenance opportunities.

Candidate Qualifications & Requirements

• Proven Floor Leadership: Demonstrated history of active deal desking and floor management. Must be comfortable being in the showroom dynamic throughout the work day.
• Track Record of Performance: Documented history of improving sales volume, gross profit margins, unit efficiency, and elevated customer satisfaction metrics (NPS/CSI).
• Automotive Technology Mastery: Proficient in enterprise DMS platforms (CDK, Reynolds & Reynolds) and advanced inventory tools (vAuto, VinSolutions, MMR).
• SF Bay Area Market Familiarity: Deep understanding of Northern California automotive demographics, competitive brand landscapes, and the region's rapid transition to Electric Vehicles (EVs).
• Fixed Operations Capability: Previous operational oversight or strong working familiarity with Service and Parts departments is not required but an operational plus.
• Licensing: Valid driver's license with a clean driving record and ability to maintain a California Sales License.

Compensation & Benefits Package

We offer a market-leading compensation structure designed to attract and reward the industry's elite operators:

• Competitive Base Salary
• Uncapped Performance Commission: Direct share of monthly dealership performance.
• Target Total Earnings: $400,000+ for a top-tier operator.
• Executive Benefits: Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance; 401(k) retirement plan; demonstration vehicle program; paid time off and executive development support.