Service Advisor/Manager

Experienced Automotive Service Advisor / Service Manager Confidential Independent Repair Shop | Columbus / Reynoldsburg, OH Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Realistic earning potential: $70,000 to $80,000+ per year Performance-based pay plan tied to gross profit No weekends We are a small, growing repair shop in the Columbus/Reynoldsburg area looking for an experienced automotive service professional who can step into the front office, take ownership of the customer experience, and help build stronger systems as the shop grows. The shop has been in business since 2012. The current owner purchased it in 2021 and has been focused on improving the customer experience, raising the standard, and creating a more professional operation without turning the place into a cold, corporate machine. Right now, the shop has 6 bays, 2 technicians, and room to grow. The goal is to add another technician, improve workflow, strengthen customer retention, and build the kind of business that can scale in the future. That takes the right person up front. Someone honest. Someone sharp. Someone who can build relationships. Someone who notices the trash in the parking lot instead of walking past it. What this role really is This is a service advisor / service manager role, but the title is less important than the mindset. You will be the person trusted to run the front counter, guide the customer experience, communicate with the technicians, sell recommended work, follow up with customers, and help keep the shop moving in the right direction. You will work directly with the owner. There are not layers of management, corporate scripts, or endless hoops to jump through. If you have an idea, you can bring it up. If something needs to change, you can be part of fixing it. The owner is laid back, collaborative, and not looking to micromanage. He is looking for someone who can be trusted to handle responsibility, think ahead, and help grow the business. What you will be doing You will be responsible for the customer experience from the first phone call through vehicle pickup. That includes answering phones, scheduling, writing repair orders, reviewing inspections, building estimates, communicating clearly with customers, selling needed work, coordinating with technicians, and helping make sure nothing falls through the cracks. You will also be expected to help improve the front office process, customer follow-up, workflow, and retention. The shop spends money to bring new customers in. This role is about helping turn those customers into loyal fans who come back and tell other people. The shop uses Tekmetric and Tekmetric DVI, so experience with Tekmetric is a plus but not a requirement. The work mix is about 40% domestic, 40% Asian, and 20% European. What we are looking for You do need automotive service experience, but you do not need 20 years behind the counter. We are more interested in the right mindset than a perfect resume. The right person is honest, sincere, smart, customer-focused, and motivated by growth. You understand that sales are part of taking care of the customer. You can recommend needed work without making people feel pressured. You can talk to technicians without creating drama. You can talk to customers in a way that builds trust. You will probably do well here if you: Have experience as an automotive service advisor, service manager, or strong front-office team member Understand repair order flow, inspections, estimates, parts margins, and customer communication Can sell recommended work with honesty and professionalism Are comfortable with performance-based pay and want some control over your income Care about gross profit, average repair order, customer retention, and shop growth Can work directly with an owner without needing to be micromanaged Notice what needs attention and take action Like improving processes instead of just working around broken ones Are comfortable in a small shop where your attitude and communication really matter Want a long-term opportunity, not just another counter job This is not the right fit for someone who only wants to answer phones, write tickets, and go home. It is also not the right fit for someone who needs a large corporate structure or wants every process handed to them fully built. This is a better fit for someone who wants to help build the process. Compensation The current pay structure is performance-based and tied to gross profit. Realistic earning potential for this role is $70,000 to $80,000+ per year, with room to grow as the shop grows. Schedule and benefits Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM No weekends 3 weeks of PTO, accruing from the first week Paid holidays, including New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Christmas Paid lunch every Wednesday Clothing provided, selected together to fit your style and the professional image of the shop Health insurance support including possible contribution or plan options based on individual needs Training opportunities Local training offered Heated shop Designated break area The culture The shop's core value is simple: always do the right thing. That shows up in how customers are treated, how repairs are recommended, how the team communicates, and how decisions are made. This is a small team, so communication matters. When there is a problem, the expectation is to sit down and work through it like adults. The atmosphere is generally relaxed, but the standards matter. The goal is to do good work, have fun doing it, and build something the team can be proud of. The long-term opportunity This role has real long-term potential. The owner's goal is to grow the shop, add another technician, add front office support, improve processes, and eventually be in a position where another building or multiple locations could be possible. For the right person, there may even be a future opportunity to grow into ownership or potentially buy the business down the road. That does not mean you need to walk in with all the answers. It means you need to care, learn, take initiative, and want to be part of building something bigger. If you are an experienced automotive service professional who wants your work to matter, wants direct influence, and wants the chance to help shape the future of a growing independent shop, this could be the right move. Questions? Please contact hiring@autoignitemanagement.com

Pay:

$70,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Health insurance Paid time off

Work Location:

In person