Service Manager

About us: We are one of the top three automotive retailers in the UK, proudly representing 32 manufacturer brands, selling a huge range of new and used vehicles from over 150 dealerships across the UK and Ireland.

We believe our people are our greatest asset, and we're committed to recognising the valuable contribution each person makes. That's why we continue to invest in a leading rewards and benefits package designed to support your career, wellbeing, and life outside of work.

Service Manager - Kia Silverlink

New Dealership Launch | Join the Leadership Team

Location: Kia Silverlink, Newcastle upon Tyne
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: 44 hours per week, Monday to Friday 8.00am to 6.00pm
Salary: £40k- £55k DOE plus bonus package (OTE)

Are you looking for a career-defining role and the opportunity to be part of something exciting from the very beginning? We are looking for an ambitious and talented Service Manager to join the leadership team at our brand-new Kia Silverlink dealership.

With the site due to open in February, this is a unique opportunity to play a key role in launching and establishing a new aftersales operation from the ground up. As this is a start-up dealership, we are looking for a hands-on leader who is willing to support all areas of the operation during the launch phase. In the early stages, you will be expected to work closely alongside the Service Advisors, assisting with customer bookings, service reception duties and customer communications where required, helping the department establish strong foundations for future success.

As Service Manager, you will act as a role model for customer service excellence, leading by example whilst developing long-lasting relationships with customers and supporting your team to deliver an exceptional aftersales experience. From the day-to-day running of the workshop and maximising technician productivity, to ensuring Service Advisors deliver exceptional customer service and achieve departmental KPI targets, you'll play a pivotal role in the dealership's success. You'll be looking after a busy and professional department where your remit will be to manage all aspects of the aftersales operation, ensuring consistently high levels of performance are achieved.

Responsibilities

• Assist in providing guidance, training and appraisals to each member of the Service team to encourage a forward-thinking attitude and help them achieve their full potential
• Lead the successful launch and development of the aftersales operation at Kia Silverlink
• Support Service Advisors directly during the dealership's start-up phase, assisting with customer enquiries, bookings and service reception activities when required
• Maximise customer satisfaction by treating every customer as an individual and delivering an exceptional service experience
• Monitor departmental performance against budget, identify any shortfalls and implement plans to improve performance
• Drive workshop efficiency, labour sales and aftersales profitability
• Analyse local market opportunities and identify areas for growth within the territory
• Organise departmental forecasts and reports in a clear and timely manner
• Ensure manufacturer standards, compliance requirements and operational processes are consistently achieved
• Manage and own customer satisfaction performance and continuously seek opportunities for improvement

What You'll Bring

• Previous experience as a Service Manager, Aftersales Manager or Senior Service Leader within a franchised automotive environment
• A proven track record of delivering strong aftersales and customer satisfaction results
• Experience leading, coaching and developing high-performing teams
• Strong operational and commercial awareness with the ability to drive departmental performance
• A hands-on leadership style with a willingness to support front-line customer service activities when required
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• The resilience, adaptability and enthusiasm to thrive in a start-up dealership environment
• A passion for delivering exceptional customer experiences
• A full UK driving licence

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of the launch of Kia Silverlink, helping to build an aftersales operation from day one and establish a culture of excellence, teamwork and outstanding customer care. If you're ready to take on a challenge and make a real impact from the outset, we'd love to hear from you.

If your skills and experience match what we are looking for, please apply today and a member of the Talent Acquisition Team will be in touch.

Core Benefits

• Competitive salaries with structured pay scales and progression as you grow within the business
• Generous annual leave that increases with your length of service
• Enhanced family leave, including 6 months' full pay for maternity and adoption leave, and 2 weeks' full pay for paternity leave
• Access to Techscheme for discounted technology purchases with flexible payments

Health & Wellbeing

• Eyecare vouchers to help cover vision care needs
• Smart Health - 24/7 access to GP services to support your mental and physical wellbeing
• Dental insurance for everyday dental care and unexpected treatments
• Optional critical illness cover for peace of mind during life's most challenging moments

Financial Wellbeing

• MyView PayNow - access a portion of your pay as you earn, with features to stream, save, and track your money through a user-friendly app
• Free will writing services to help plan for the future
• Flexible life assurance options and partner life assurance for added protection

Leisure & Lifestyle

• Discounted gym memberships to support an active lifestyle
• Travel insurance to help you explore with confidence
• Access to home and technology vouchers
• bYond card and a wide range of exclusive retail and lifestyle discounts

We strongly believe in nurturing and providing our people with specific manufacturer brand and management training to enhance career development opportunities. We have a great bunch of people, and we like to celebrate and encourage success at all levels.

Lookers and Charles Hurst are an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to a working environment that is free from discrimination, is inclusive, and empowers our people to bring their whole self to work and reach their full potential.

If your application is successful, we will conduct relevant employment checks prior to you commencing employment with us. These will include verifying your recent employment, address, credit history and a standard criminal record check. For roles that require you to drive, a driving licence check will also be carried out. Please note, all offers of employment are made subject to a 6 month probation period commencing from your start date.

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