Manager, Lot Operations (Manheim Portland)

CAI Cox Automotive Corp Svcs., LLC; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 81,000 - 121,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Cox Automotive is seeking a Manager, Lot Operations to oversee daily lot activities, vehicle staging, and sale-day operations. You will lead lot staff, optimize labor scheduling, and coordinate across reconditioning, vehicle entry, and commercial teams to ensure smooth auction flows.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree with several years in a related field, strong communication, and a focus on safety and efficiency.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree plus 6 years’ experience in a related field.
• Experience in the automotive industry or auction business.
• Excellent communication and interaction skills.
• AS400 experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage lot operations daily to ensure efficient operations before and after sale.
• Coordinate with other departments to schedule and prepare vehicles for sale.
• Oversee sale day operations, ensuring proper staging and flow through auction lanes.
• Maintain customer relations and provide transportation for out-of-town customers as needed.
• Supervise and develop lot operations staff through recruiting, training and coaching.
• Plan, monitor, and evaluate job performance; conduct performance appraisals.
• Enforce safety procedures and company policies; ensure equipment is maintained.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Organizational skills

Decision making

Labor scheduling

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Tools

AS400

Job description

Company Cox Automotive - USA Job Family Group Vehicle Operations Job Profile Manager, Lot Operations Management Level Manager - People Leader

Flexible Work Option No remote option; must work at a specified Cox location

Travel % No Work Shift Day

Compensation includes a base salary in the range of $80,600.00 - $120,800.00.

The base salary may vary within the anticipated base pay range based on factors such as the ultimate location of the position and the selected candidate’s knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Position may be eligible for additional compensation that may include an incentive program.

Job Description

This position manages the daily operations of the lot department, including: labor scheduling, directing work assignments, vehicle logistics, placement of vehicles, vehicle movement and vehicle transport. Additionally manages the lot coordinators, tracking of vehicles and sale day lot flow.

Job Responsibilities

• Manage lot operations on a daily basis to ensure efficient operations prior to and after sale.
• Assist senior management in developing and executing operational business plans, analyzing operational expenses, and implementing procedures to improve efficiencies.
• Coordinate with Reconditioning, Vehicle Entry, and Commercial departments to schedule and prepare vehicles for sale.
• Effectively manage all aspects of sale day operations, ensuring all vehicles are properly staged and efficiently run through auction lanes.
• Maintain positive customer relations and provide out-of-town customers with transportation to and from the auction.
• Supervise and develop lot operations staff, their professional and technical knowledge by: recruiting, selecting, orienting, training employees and by providing educational opportunities.
• Provide coaching and training for: lot drivers, lane leaders, lot coordinators, lane captains, crew leaders and administrative staff.
• Counsel and discipline employees as necessary.
• Plan, monitor, evaluate job performance and conduct performance appraisals.
• Monitor lot damage, meet with general management on a regular basis to review and resolve potential lot operation problems.
• Work with Lot Coordinators to ensure all vehicles are located, delivered to the lot, properly numbered and parked.
• Ensure all company assets used in operations are properly maintained and accounted for.
• Maintain/supervise maintenance of equipment including radios, PT scanners, service trucks, wreckers, fuel trucks/equipment, jump boxes, lot vans, golf carts, and lift trucks.
• Maintain staging & inventory areas and sale lanes to ensure operational efficiency.
• Develop and maintain effective schedules for all drivers and lot personnel.
• Visibly demonstrate safety commitment by following all safety and health procedures and modeling the behaviors related to such.
• Work in cooperation with safety leadership in support of all safety activities aligned with Safety Excellence.
• Provide assistance and timely feedback to customer inquiries.
• Maintain operational requirements by initiating, coordinating and enforcing production and control standards and procedures.
• Ensure all established costs, quality, and delivery commitments are met.
• Review work volumes, plan and continuously monitor staffing levels to ensure efficiency, quality work product, and effective customer service; review departmental performance against key performance indicators and metrics and develop and execute strategies for improvement.
• Effectively leads the team at the location by setting an example in behavior, championing Cox/Manheim values and ensuring that all employees are treated with respect.
• Enforce all company policies and procedures related to employee and customer conduct.
• Partner with various market level support teams (i.e. Finance, HR, MFS, Recon, Safety, Security, Sales) to ensure effective and efficient operational processes that align with company objectives and strategies and high quality customer service and support.
• Perform other duties as assigned by manager or supervisor.
• Occasional exposure to weather conditions, fumes, and noise.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in (list any requirements of discipline here) and 6 years’ experience in a related field.
• The right candidate could also have a different combination, such as a master's degree and 4 years’ experience; a Ph.D. and 1 year experience in a related field; or 10 years’ experience in a related field 1+ year of experience in management or lead role.
• Experience in the automotive industry or auction business.
• Effective management and decision making skills required.
• Reconditioning and/or body shop experience preferred.
• Excellent communication and interaction skills required.
• Effective management, decision-making, and organizational skills required.
• Good computer and software knowledge essential.
• AS400 experience preferred.
• Ability to drive multiple vehicle types, including: standard shift, automatic, 5th wheel, semi, RV and boats preferred.
• Physical Demands: Ability to sit, stand and walk for prolonged periods of time.
• Vision abilities required include close, distance, color, and depth perception.
• Drug Testing To be employed in this role, you’ll need to clear a pre-employment drug test. Cox Automotive does not currently administer a pre-employment drug test for marijuana for this position. However, we are a drug-free workplace, so the possession, use or being under the influence of drugs illegal under federal or state law during work hours, on company property and/or in company vehicles is prohibited.

Benefits

• Flexibility to take as much vacation with pay as they deem consistent with their duties, the company’s needs, and its obligations.
• Seven paid holidays throughout the calendar year.
• Up to 160 hours of paid wellness annually for their own wellness or that of family members.
• Additional paid time off: bereavement leave, time off to vote, jury duty leave, volunteer time off, military leave, and parental leave.

Benefits of working at Cox may include health care insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement planning (401(k)), and paid days off (sick leave, parental leave, flexible vacation/wellness days, and/or PTO).

About Us

Through groundbreaking technology and a commitment to stellar experiences for drivers and dealers alike, Cox Automotive employees are transforming the way the world buys, owns, sells – or simply uses – cars. Cox Automotive employees get to work on iconic consumer brands like Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book and industry-leading dealer-facing companies like vAuto and Manheim, all while enjoying the people-centered atmosphere that is central to our life at Cox.

Cox provides reasonable accommodations when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with disability, unless such accommodations would cause an undue hardship.

Cox is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer – All qualified applicants/employees will receive consideration for employment without regard to that individual’s age, race, color, religion or creed, national origin or ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, physical or mental disability, veteran status, genetic information, ethnicity, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States for any employer without current or future sponsorship. No OPT, CPT, STEM/OPT or visa sponsorship now or in future.

Cox brings together the world’s greatest minds to help breathe life into new possibilities – and drive innovation for a better future. That’s why we look for individuals who share our pioneering spirit, have imaginative ideas and are fearless when it comes to tackling the world’s biggest challenges. Our people love technology – and they love making a difference. They have a passion for finding new solutions and working with brilliant colleagues. Every day they dedicate themselves to a huge range of exciting projects, contributing to the Cox vision around the globe. From engineering new sustainability solutions that conserve water and energy to creating the infrastructure for the smart cities of tomorrow, there’s no challenge too great for our pioneers. And there’s no shortage of opportunities for you to make a difference. Come and experience the dynamic, collaborative and creative environments where your ideas are welcome and new discoveries are waiting. To help you grow to your full potential, we strive to support our employees in their career aspirations and promote the freedom to explore new horizons.