Area Manager, Automotive Dealership Operations

About the role

Kiefer Auto Group is seeking an experienced automotive leader to oversee five dealerships. This is an active operating role with direct accountability for dealership performance. The Area Manager leads from the showroom floor, service drive, and lot—not just from an office—and must be willing to desk car deals, work directly with customers, coach managers, and help wash or move vehicles when needed. No task that supports customers and employees should be beneath the leadership team.

• Company: Kiefer Auto Group
• Location: Based in Southern California, with regular travel to assigned dealerships in California and Oregon.
• Position: Full-time
• Compensation: $360k+

The dealerships are:

• Palm Springs Kia — Palm Springs, California
• Team Mazda El Cajon — El Cajon, California
• Summit Subaru El Cajon — El Cajon, California
• Team Kia of Bend — Bend, Oregon
• Hyundai Bend — Bend, Oregon

Prior automotive dealership General Manager experience is required. Applicants must currently live in Southern California or be willing to relocate there by their start date. California automotive sales and dealership management experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and hold dealership General Managers accountable for profitability, operational execution, customer satisfaction, and employee development.
• Maintain a consistent presence at all five dealerships, including regular travel and overnight stays.
• Review financial statements, operating reports, forecasts, and department performance; turn findings into specific action plans.
• Improve new and used vehicle sales, inventory management, gross profit, F&I performance, service, and parts operations.
• Control expenses while maintaining appropriate staffing, customer service, and operational standards.
• Work alongside dealership teams, including desking deals, supporting negotiations, resolving customer concerns, and assisting with daily operations.
• Help wash, prepare, or move vehicles and assist with other dealership tasks as needed.
• Recruit, develop, and retain strong managers and employees; address performance concerns promptly and professionally.
• Ensure dealership practices follow applicable California and Oregon laws, manufacturer requirements, and company policies, working with HR and legal counsel as needed.
• Build a culture of accountability, integrity, teamwork, and respect.
• Communicate performance, challenges, and opportunities directly to ownership.

Requirements

Required qualifications

• Previous General Manager experience at a franchised automotive dealership.
• Demonstrated success managing dealership profitability and developing effective teams.
• Strong understanding of dealership financial statements, variable operations, fixed operations, inventory management, and expense control.
• Ability to desk vehicle transactions and coach sales managers on deal structure and execution.
• Willingness to work alongside employees and provide practical support wherever needed.
• Strong judgment, communication skills, and follow-through.
• Ability to live in or relocate to Southern California by the start date.
• Ability to travel regularly between California and Oregon, including overnight travel.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to meet company driving requirements when operating dealership vehicles.

Preferred qualifications

• California automotive sales and dealership management experience.
• Experience overseeing multiple dealerships.
• Experience with Kia, Mazda, Subaru, or Hyundai franchises.

Schedule and work environment

• This position requires regular onsite work at assigned dealerships.
• The schedule includes evenings and weekends as business needs require.
• Work takes place in dealership offices, showrooms, service areas, and outdoor lots.
• Qualified applicants must be able to perform the position’s essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with performance-based incentives.
• Benefits package (health, dental, vision, etc.).
• Paid time off.
• Career advancement and development opportunities.
• Certified DailyPay partner
• Employee discounts on vehicles and services.
• Employee assistance program.
• Certified DailyPay partner.