Service Director

Cavender Auto Group; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Work/life balance

Disability coverage

Job summary

Cavender Auto Group is seeking a Service Director to lead the service department with a disciplined, data-driven approach. Build structured workflows, monitor performance, and drive quality repairs and customer satisfaction while maintaining profitability.

You will collaborate with Parts, Sales, and Finance to align department goals with overall dealership objectives and promote a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership in automotive service operations or similar
• Strong understanding of service metrics and customer satisfaction
• Experience managing department budgets and expenses
• Ability to establish processes and drive improvements
• Analytical mindset with data-driven decision making

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily service department operations and staff
• Set workflows based on capacity and priorities
• Monitor KPIs: revenue, hours, productivity, service quality
• Review results, identify trends and implement action plans
• Ensure repairs meet manufacturer specs and quality standards
• Address customer concerns with timely follow-through
• Coordinate with Parts, Sales, and Finance for efficiency
• Manage budgets and overhead to maintain profitability
• Establish procedures and standards for the team
• Recruit, train, and coach staff to improve skills

Skills

Leadership

Service operations

Budget management

Process improvement

Data analytics

Tools

CRM/DMS systems

Job description

Description

Do You See the Opportunity?

At Cavender Auto Group, our values define who we are and how we lead.

Integrity: Always do the right thing.

Empowerment: Give our people the tools, training, trust, and opportunity to succeed.

Commitment: Take care of our customers, our community, and one another.

Innovation: Challenge ourselves to continuously improve and find better ways to serve.

Our mission is simple:

Delivering exceptional experiences to those we serve.

General Motors Experience is Required!

We are looking for a Service Director who values precision, structure, and consistency and understands that exceptional service starts with a well-run operation.

This is a role for someone who takes a systematic approach to leadership, pays attention to the details, and believes strong results come from clear processes, established standards, and accountability. You evaluate information carefully, solve problems by understanding their root causes, and make decisions with quality and long-term results in mind.

You take pride in knowing the operation is organized, the expectations are clear, the numbers are accurate, and the team has the direction it needs to succeed.

We will give you the resources, technology, and support to lead your department.

How you organize, lead, and improve the operation is up to you.

Why Cavender?

Cavender is a family-owned and operated automotive group that believes in developing our people and promoting from within.

What you can expect:

• Competitive benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, and Long/Short-term disability
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off
• Paid Birthday Day off
• Work/life balance
• Opportunities to make a difference in our communities

What You'll Do

As a Service Director, you will oversee the daily operations of the service department, establish consistent processes, and ensure your team delivers quality repairs, excellent customer service, and strong financial results.

Your work will include

• Oversee daily service department operations, including technicians, service advisors, and support staff
• Organize workflow by scheduling and assigning work based on staffing, shop capacity, repair priorities, and customer needs
• Monitor key performance indicators, including service revenue, labor hours, productivity, customer satisfaction, and repair quality
• Review department results, identify trends, and develop action plans to address opportunities for improvement
• Ensure repairs and maintenance are completed accurately and meet manufacturer specifications and dealership quality standards
• Address escalated customer concerns by identifying the issue, evaluating available solutions, and ensuring appropriate follow-through
• Coordinate with Parts, Sales, and Finance to support efficient operations, parts availability, and warranty claim processing
• Manage service department budgets, labor expenses, parts costs, and overhead to maintain financial accountability
• Establish clear procedures, expectations, and standards for service department employees
• Recruit, train, coach, and develop team members to strengthen technical knowledge, productivity, and accountability
• Evaluate staffing needs and ensure employees are appropriately scheduled and assigned to meet department demands
• Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, manufacturer requirements, safety standards, and dealership policies
• Maintain accurate records and ensure required documentation and procedures are consistently followed
• Identify operational gaps, improve processes, and implement solutions that increase efficiency, consistency, and profitability
• Hold team members accountable for following established procedures and meeting department expectations
• Work collaboratively with dealership leadership to align service department goals with overall dealership objectives

What We Look For

• Is organized, methodical, and detail-oriented
• Approaches decisions logically and evaluates information before taking action
• Values structure, consistency, and clearly defined processes
• Takes ownership of responsibilities and follows through on commitments
• Uses data, reporting, and performance metrics to guide decisions
• Identifies problems, evaluates root causes, and develops practical solutions
• Sets clear expectations and holds team members accountable for results
• Maintains high standards for quality, accuracy, and customer service
• Can manage competing priorities without losing sight of important details
• Communicates expectations clearly and professionally
• Is comfortable making difficult decisions when standards are not being met
• Looks for ways to improve efficiency, reduce unnecessary costs, and strengthen department performance
• Believes strong leadership means creating an environment where people understand what is expected and have the tools to succeed
• Wants to build a high-performing service operation—not simply manage the day-to-day workload

Requirements

• Previous leadership experience in automotive service operations, preferably as a Service Director, Service Manager, or in a comparable role
• Strong understanding of service department operations, technician productivity, labor sales, repair quality, and customer satisfaction
• Experience managing department budgets, expenses, and financial performance
• Demonstrated ability to establish processes, monitor results, and improve operational efficiency
• Strong organizational, analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
• Ability to lead, develop, and hold employees accountable to established standards
• Strong communication and customer service skills
• Ability to use dealership management systems, reporting tools, and other business technology
• Commitment to Cavender Auto Group's core values and mission
• Willingness to successfully complete a background check and drug screen prior to employment

Cavender Auto Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We prohibit discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.