Regional Operations Manager - Western, MI

OPENLANE; Carmel (IN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Health benefits

401K matching

Paid time off

Parental leave

Disability & life insurance

Employee assistance program

Tuition reimbursement

Promotional opportunities

Job summary

OPENLANE is seeking a Regional Operations Manager to lead inspection and floor plan audit teams across the region. You will recruit, onboard, coach, and manage FTE and 1099 inspectors, ensuring adherence to OPENLANE policies and quality standards while meeting regional SLAs.

You will partner with Marketplace and Sales, analyze data to forecast growth, drive process improvements, and develop OKRs with the Senior RM. Field work 1–2 days weekly and occasional travel may be required.

Qualifications

• Must be collaborative and communicative, with strong analytical abilities.
• 3+ years relevant experience in operations management or related field.
• 2+ years automotive mechanical experience and valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Master OPENLANE policies and tools for audits and inspections.
• Oversee FTE and 1099 inspectors to meet SLAs and regional targets.
• Recruit and hire inspectors within the assigned region.
• Partner with Marketplace and Sales to ensure regional success.
• Cultivate dealer and sales relationships to drive growth.
• Support OKR creation and implementation for the region.
• Lead teams to deliver audit/inspection services and coaching.
• Ensure contractors meet customer requirements and standards.
• Act as main contact for contractor compensation and questions.
• Collaborate with Product, Arbitration, Scheduling, QA for app/process improvements.
• Work in the field 1–2 days per week with inspectors.
• Function as reserve inspector for new markets and capacity gaps.
• Utilize OPENLANE communication tools; perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Collaborative

Communicative

Analytical

Team management

Job description

Who We Are:

At OPENLANE we make wholesale easy so our customers can be more successful.

We’re a technology company

building the world’s most advanced—and uncomplicated—digital marketplace for used vehicles.

We’re a data company

helping customers buy and sell smarter with clear, actionable insights they can understand and use.

And we’re an innovation company

accelerating the future of wholesale remarketing through curiosity, collaboration, and an entrepreneurial spirit.

Our Values:

Driven Waybuilders. We pursue challenges that inspire us to build, create, and innovate.

Relentless Curiosity. We seek to understand and improve our customers’ experience.

Smart Risk-Taking. We transform risk into progress through data, experience, and intuition.

Fearless Ownership. We deliver what we promise and learn along the way.

We’re Looking For:

We are seeking a Regional Operations Manager with experience in hiring and collaborating with inspectors, driving regional success, and utilizing data for decision‑making. You will be part of our Operations team responsible for overseeing inspection processes and ensuring quality standards are met. In this role, you will have the opportunity to use your experience in team management, data analysis, and communication. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 3 years of experience in operations management or a related field.

You Are:

• Collaborative. You prioritize teamwork and understand the value of collective effort in achieving success.
• Communicative. You are an active listener who fosters two-way communication with others.
• Analytical. You are skilled in collecting and analyzing data to make meaningful and informed decisions.

You Will:

• Master OPENLANE policies, processes, procedures, and the tools used to complete floor plan audits and vehicle or facility inspections to ensure they are fully understood and followed by the team.
• Oversee and ensure that the team of FTE and 1099 inspectors adhere to OPENLANE policies, processes, procedures, and tools during floor plan audits and vehicle/facility inspections to achieve regional SLA’s and targets.
• Responsible for recruiting and hiring initiatives for both contract and full-time inspectors within the assigned region.
• Partner with Marketplace and Commercial Sales Team to guarantee regional success, including inspection needs, growth forecasting, and scheduling.
• Cultivate strong customer relationships with dealers and the OPENLANE sales team to drive sales growth and capitalize on opportunities to ensure they are fully realized.
• Support the Senior Regional Operations Manager in creating and implementing OKR’s to ensure success within the designated region.
• Lead and develop teams to deliver exceptional audit/inspection services, including training, motivating, coaching, counseling, and mentoring FTE Inspectors, as well as conducting performance management activities.
• Ensure that contractors meet customer requirements and operational standards.
• Act as the main point of contact for contractors and inspectors regarding compensation, task assignment, process updates, application questions, etc.
• Adopt a continuous improvement mindset by collaborating with the following teams Product; Arbitration; Scheduling; and Quality Assurance to test new app releases and processes, and provide feedback for improvements and maintenance.
• Work in the field 1-2 days per week side by side with inspectors ensuring all quality standards are met or exceeded and training new inspectors.
• Function as a reserve inspector for new markets and to address inspection capacity gaps within the region.
• Utilize various communication tools within the OPENLANE organization.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the manager.

Must Have’s:

• Minimum of 3+ years relevant experience or education.
• Minimum of 2+ years of automotive mechanical experience.
• Must be able to operate a motor vehicle and possess a valid driver’s license.
• A working knowledge of technology, particularly in submitting electronic inspection reports.

Nice to Have’s:

• Previous experience managing teams and individuals, including both contractual and full-time employees.

What We Offer:

• Competitive pay
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits with employer HSA contributions (US) and FSA options (US)
• Immediately vested 401K (US) or RRSP (Canada) with company match
• Paid Vacation, Personal, and Sick Time
• Paid maternity and paternity leave (US)
• Employer-paid short-term disability, long-term disability, life insurance, and AD&D (US)
• Robust Employee Assistance Program
• Employer paid Leap into Service Day to volunteer
• Tuition Reimbursement for eligible programs
• Opportunities to expand your skill set and share your knowledge across a publicly traded, global organization
• Company culture of internal promotions, diverse career paths, and meaningful advancement