Subprime Finance Desk Manager

5 Star Auto Plaza; Saint Charles (MO); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Opportunity for advancement

Paid time off

Profit sharing

Training & development

Vision insurance

Competitive salary

Dental insurance

Job summary

5 Star Auto Plaza is seeking an experienced Subprime Finance Desk Manager who deeply understands subprime financing. You will evaluate credit applications beyond scores, negotiate terms with lenders, and structure deals that maximize approvals and profitability.

Ideal candidates have a proven track record in subprime automotive finance, with knowledge of lender programs, underwriting guidelines, and front- to back-end profitability. Franchise or independent dealership experience is welcome.

Qualifications

• Proven history of success in subprime automotive finance.
• Extensive knowledge of subprime lenders, underwriting, and financing programs.
• Demonstrated ability to negotiate with credit buyers and improve outcomes.
• Strong analytical skills and experience structuring complex financing transactions.

Responsibilities

• Analyze credit applications strategically, looking beyond scores to assess complete financial pictures.
• Know your lenders and their programs, advances, fees, and vehicle eligibility.
• Rehash and negotiate approvals to maximize lender opportunities and profitability.
• Structure profitable deals by balancing lender terms, vehicle values, down payments, and customer needs.
• Make inventory work by considering book values, acquisition costs, and aging to move suitable units.
• Present a complete credit story by evaluating income, employment stability, and qualifying factors.
• Provide sales with a clear plan on eligible vehicles, down payment requirements, and deal structure.
• Own the deal through funding, ensuring contract accuracy and lender stipulations.

Skills

Subprime Finance

Lender Programs

Negotiation

Credit Analysis

Deal Structuring

Job description

Benefits:

• Health insurance


• Opportunity for advancement


• Paid time off


• Profit sharing


• Training & development


• Vision insurance


• Competitive salary


• Dental insurance

Are you an accomplished automotive finance professional who knows there is a lot more to subprime financing than getting a bank to say yes?

Do you know how to read a credit application, recognize opportunities others overlook, negotiate with credit buyers, and structure deals that maximize approvals and profitability?

If you have a proven track record of success in subprime automotive finance, we want to talk to you.

5 Star Auto Plaza is looking for an experienced Subprime Finance Desk Manager who understands the art and science of subprime financing. We are not looking for someone who simply submits applications and accepts the first approval. We want someone who knows how to work a deal, understands lender programs inside and out, and takes pride in finding solutions others miss.

Experience at either a franchise or independent dealership is welcome. What matters most is your demonstrated success in subprime finance.

A Great Career Shouldn't Require Giving Up Your Life

We understand the demands of the automotive business, especially at franchise dealerships where late nights can become the norm. At 5 Star Auto Plaza, we work hard and maintain a full schedule, but our business model generally does not require the same frequency of late nights found at many franchise stores.

You can build a rewarding career, make a meaningful impact, and still have time for a life outside the dealership. We value professionals who take ownership and deliver results, not those who measure success by how late they stay.

What You'll Be Doing

Analyze credit applications strategically. Look beyond credit scores to understand each customer’s complete financial picture, identify compensating factors, and recognize opportunities others miss.

Know your lenders. Use your knowledge of subprime programs, underwriting guidelines, advances, fees, and vehicle eligibility to select the right financing partners.

Rehash and negotiate approvals. Work directly with credit buyers to improve callbacks, negotiate better terms, and maximize lender opportunities.

Structure profitable deals. Find the right combination of lender, vehicle, down payment, and financing terms while meeting customer needs.

Make inventory work for you. Use book values, acquisition costs, and inventory aging to make smart vehicle selections and move appropriate aged inventory.

Find the complete credit story. Accurately evaluate income, employment stability, and qualifying factors to present a complete, verifiable picture.

Give the sales team a plan. Communicate eligible vehicles, down payment requirements, and deal structure so sales management can sell the car.

Own the deal through funding. Oversee contract accuracy, lender stipulations, and funding; provide occasional customer contracting assistance when needed.

Think like a business owner. Consider overall profitability, inventory turnover, and when an in-house Diamond Lease/Finance opportunity better serves the company.

What We're Looking For

A proven history of success in subprime automotive finance is essential.

Successful subprime finance experience at a franchise or independent dealership. Extensive knowledge of subprime lenders, underwriting, advance calculations, and financing programs. Demonstrated ability to negotiate with credit buyers and improve initial callbacks. Strong analytical skills and experience structuring complex financing transactions. Understanding of vehicle values, inventory economics, and front-
and back-end gross profit. Independent problem-solving, strong attention to detail, and accurate, fundable contracting. Ability to collaborate with sales managers while taking ownership of financing decisions.

We are especially interested in professionals who enjoy the challenge of putting together a difficult deal and finding a better solution than the obvious one.

Why 5 Star Auto Plaza?

5 Star Auto Plaza has served automotive customers for nearly 30 years, including customers who have difficulty obtaining traditional financing. Our mission is simple: Leave people better than we found them.

Put your subprime expertise to work in a role where it truly matters. Have meaningful authority over financing decisions and deal structure. Make a direct impact on performance and profitability across several stores. Join an established business that values judgment, analytical thinking, and results. Build a full-time career with a more manageable work-life balance than many traditional franchise positions.

Ready for a Different Kind of Opportunity?

If you know how to maximize lender approvals, negotiate with credit buyers, and turn challenging applications into profitable, fundable deals, we would like to hear from you.

If you know there is more to a lender callback than the first yes, this may be the opportunity you have been looking for.