Manager, Lot Operations (Manheim Portland)

Cox Automotive Canada; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 81,000 - 121,000; Full time

Job summary

Cox Automotive Canada in Portland seeks an experienced Lot Operations Manager to lead daily lot activities, coordinate vehicle movement, staffing, and transport logistics for sale days.

You will collaborate with Reconditioning, Vehicle Entry, and Commercial teams, develop efficient schedules, coach staff, and ensure safety and quality standards while delivering excellent customer service.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field with 6 years of experience or an equivalent combination.
• 1+ year of management or lead role experience.
• Experience in the automotive or auction industry preferred.
• Excellent communication, decision-making and organizational skills.
• Proficiency with standard computer software; AS400 experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage lot operations daily to ensure efficient pre- and post-sale activities.
• Coach and develop lot staff; recruit, orient, train, and evaluate performance.
• Coordinate with Reconditioning, Vehicle Entry and Commercial teams for sale prep.
• Oversee transportation and staging of vehicles; ensure proper numbering and parking.
• Monitor safety and quality, enforce policies, and maintain customer relations.
• Develop schedules for drivers and lot personnel; manage costs and KPIs.

Skills

Management experience

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Safety awareness

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

AS400

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.

USD 80,600.00 - 120,800.00 per year

Compensation

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.

Benefits

The Company offers eligible employees the 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; and up to 160 hours of paid wellness annually for their own wellness or that of family members. Employees are also eligible for additional paid time off in the form of bereavement leave, time off to vote, jury duty leave, volunteer time off, military leave, and parental leave.

Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States for any employer without current or future sponsorship.

EOE, including disability/vets