Controller
The Controller is a member of a dealership’s senior management team. This position requires a university degree and is often occupied by someone who is a Certified Professional Accountant (CPA). The Controller has the whole financial picture of a dealership from budgeting and financing to taxation and investment management.
Finance & Insurance Manager
This is an integral role in the sales operation. When a customer has made a decision to purchase or lease a vehicle, the F&I Manager arranges for suitable financing, insurance and completes a product presentation which includes extended warranties and protection packages for the vehicle. This role is also referred to as the Business Manager.
General Manager
There are several titles associated with General Manager. Some dealerships have General Managers, who oversee all operations and report to the Dealer Principal. Some Dealer Principals are also the General Manager. In other dealerships there are General Sales Managers that oversee specifically, the sales operation.
Parts Advisor
When a customer needs repairs, parts are often needed. The Parts Advisor is the person in charge of sourcing the necessary parts to ensure that repairs are completed on time and on budget.
Sales Consultant
Salespeople are essentially brand ambassadors that know the vehicles inside and out and can help customers make an informed decision when choosing to purchase or lease a vehicle. In British Columbia today, Salespeople must obtain a Motor Vehicle Sales Authority of British Columbia license in order to work on the dealership floor and sell cars.
Service Technician
The Service Technician is the person that will carry out the maintenance and repairs on a customer’s vehicle. Gone are the days of the “dirty job” image of technicians. Today, they are a combination of diagnosticians, engineers, electricians and computer programmers, based on how quickly technology is changing. Many college programs in the automotive industry include apprenticeship programs that involve working and reporting to a seasoned Service Technician.
