General Sales Manager / Variable Ops Director

Sunset Ford; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Lifetime warranty on new vehicles

Executive compensation with base +bon/

Premium healthcare & 401(k) with match

Demo vehicle allowance

Winning culture

Job summary

Sunset Ford in St. Louis seeks a visionary General Sales Manager to lead our New and Pre-Owned Sales, along with the F&I team, driving volume and profitability.

You will coach a high-performing team, manage a data-driven inventory strategy, and partner with marketing to maximize gross and CSI. This executive role offers autonomy in a 5th-generation family business and a strong compensation package.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5+ years of progressive automotive management experience (GSM or high-volume Sales Manager).
• Deep familiarity with the Ford brand, Ford Credit, and manufacturer incentive programs.
• Strong analytical understanding of inventory turns, days supply, costs, PVR, and market dynamics.
• Leadership presence with ability to coach and mentor a team.
• Community minded with transparent, integrity-driven leadership in St. Louis.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Sales Leadership: Execute a comprehensive sales plan to hit aggressive monthly volume and gross profit targets while maintaining elite CSI scores.
• Variable Operation Acuity: Drive profitability through inventory turn, aging, cost-to-market, and merchandising strategies for diverse inventory including Sunset Performance units.
• Coaching & Accountability: Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Sales Managers, F&I Managers, and Consultants.
• Modern Desking & F&I Integration: Work with desk and F&I to ensure clean deal structures, maximized PVR, and desk-to-delivery flow.
• Market Dominance: Utilize advanced CRM and market data tools to capture St. Louis market share and optimize digital lead conversion rates.

Skills

Automotive leadership

Sales management

P&L management

CRM data analysis

Team coaching

Forecasting & budgeting

Job description

Lead the Legacy: General Sales Manager at Sunset Ford

Position Type:

Executive Leadership | High-Volume

The Vision

Sunset Ford has been a cornerstone of the St. Louis automotive landscape since 1912. We didn’t survive over a century by playing it safe-we did it by leading the market, adapting to change, and treating our employees like family.

We are seeking a visionary, high-performing General Sales Manager (GSM)/Variable Ops Director to take the reins of our Variable Operations. This is a role for a strategic operator who understands that a championship sales team is built on coaching, data-driven inventory management, and a relentless commitment to gross and volume. If you have the acuity to manage a complex P&L while inspiring a team to exceed their personal best, Sunset Ford is your next home.

The Mission

As the GSM, you are the engine of the dealership. You will oversee the New and Pre-Owned Sales Departments, as well as our F&I team, ensuring every gear is turning in sync.

• Strategic Sales Leadership: Execute a comprehensive sales plan to hit aggressive monthly volume and gross profit targets while maintaining elite CSI scores.
• Variable Operation Acuity: Drive profitability through expert management of inventory turn, aging, and cost-to-market. You will oversee the acquisition, appraisal, and merchandising strategies for a diverse inventory, including high-demand F-150s, Broncos, and our specialized Sunset Performance (Roush/Shelby) units.
• Coaching & Accountability: Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Sales Managers, F&I Managers, and Consultants. You aren't just a manager; you are a coach who builds the next generation of automotive leaders.
• Modern Desking & F&I Integration: Work closely with the desk and F&I department to ensure clean deal structures, maximized PVR, and seamless \"desk-to-delivery\" flow.
• Market Dominance: Utilize advanced CRM and market data tools to capture St. Louis market share and optimize digital lead conversion rates.

What We’re Looking For

• The Track Record: Minimum of 5+ years of progressive automotive management experience (GSM or high-volume Sales Manager) with a proven history of hitting \"the big numbers.\"
• The Ford Specialist: Deep familiarity with the Ford brand, Ford Credit, and manufacturer incentive programs is highly preferred.
• Analytical Mindset: You understand the \"math\" of the car business, particularly variable operations - inventory turns, days supply in dollars & units, variable expenses, recon time to market, PVR, frozen capital, and cost-to-market.
• Leadership Presence: You lead by example. You’re the first one to celebrate a win and the first one to dive into the trenches when a deal gets tough.
• Community Minded: You understand that in St. Louis, reputation is everything. You operate with 100% transparency and integrity.

Why Sunset Ford?

• Stability & Autonomy: Work for a 5th-generation family business where decisions are made locally and quickly.
• The \"Sunset Advantage\": Our exclusive Lifetime Warranty on new vehicles and high-performance niche (Roush/Shelby) give you tools that the \"big box\" corporate stores simply can't match.
• Executive Compensation: An industry-leading pay plan featuring a strong base salary plus performance-based overrides and bonuses that reflect your impact.
• Full Executive Benefits: Premium healthcare, dental, vision, 401(k) with match, and a demo vehicle allowance.
• A Winning Culture: Join a team that values professional growth and maintains a respectful, high-energy environment.

Are You Ready to Lead?

If you are a top-tier automotive leader ready to put your stamp on a legendary St. Louis institution, we want to hear from you.

Sunset Ford St. Louis is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V. We are committed to providing a safe, drug-free work environment. We ask that Applicants are willing to submit to a pre-employment background check. and have a clean and valid driver's license with a satisfactory driving record