General Sales Manager

General Sales Manager

Guildford Full-Time 43200 - 72000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a team of Sales Executives to exceed targets and deliver exceptional customer experiences.
  • Company: Join Group 1 Automotive, a global leader in the automotive industry with over 7000 dedicated colleagues.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 33 days of leave, exclusive discounts, flexible working options, and a company pension scheme.
  • Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team focused on growth, customer satisfaction, and community impact.
  • Qualifications: Strong leadership skills, customer-focused attitude, and a passion for delivering great service are essential.
  • Other info: Diversity is valued; we encourage enthusiastic applicants eager to learn.

The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.

Fun, exciting, rewarding work. Join us for the ride. Working with world-class brands as a General Sales Manager, you’ll have the drive to deliver outstanding and trusted experiences for our customers. As part of a successful, global automotive group, you’ll broaden your experience across both sites and brands. And with the right support from us, you’ll be able to progress as high as you can aim.

What we can offer you:

  • Enjoy 33 days of annual leave (including bank holidays) to rest and recharge.
  • Save money every day with our exclusive retail discounts.
  • Drive a great deal with discounts on new and used cars, plus servicing offers.
  • Plan for the years ahead with our company pension scheme.
  • Balance home and work with our industry-leading family-friendly policies designed to help you spend more time with the people that matter.
  • Commute for less with our cycle-to-work scheme.
  • Prioritise your wellbeing with dedicated support for you and your family.
  • 24/7 access to healthcare professionals, ensuring you get the expert advice you need quickly and easily.
  • Make a difference with a paid day to volunteer in your community.
  • Invest in your future with our company share purchase plan.
  • Earn financial rewards when you refer a friend to join the team.
  • Keep learning and growing with our training and development opportunities for everyone.
  • Life assurance with the option to increase cover.
  • We’re open to flexible working options, just ask.

What you’ll do day to day:

  • The development of the Sales Executives within the team to achieve and exceed targets.
  • Acting as a contact between a company and its existing and potential markets.
  • Support the sales executives in negotiating the terms of an agreement and support the closure of sales.
  • Gathering market and customer information.
  • Negotiating variations in price, delivery and specifications with other managers.
  • Advising on forthcoming product developments and discussing special promotions.
  • Checking quantities of goods on display and in stock and advising Sales Executives.
  • Checking vehicles in build with production and being a key point of contact.
  • Reviewing own sales performance, aiming to meet or exceed targets.
  • Gaining a clear understanding of customers' businesses and requirements.
  • The training and development of Sales Executives within the Team.
  • Conducting regular performance reviews with employees.

Helpful skills and qualifications:

Don’t worry about ticking off every single skill here - if you care about delivering great experiences as much as we do, we want to hear from you. You will be able to demonstrate a strong understanding of the key success drivers essential to deliver consistently strong results in terms of business growth, net profit and cost control, together with high levels of employee and customer satisfaction. Whilst previous automotive experience will be a benefit, attitude and character are more important to us. We will want to see that you have strong leadership abilities and deeply care about customer satisfaction and customer loyalty.

  • A hands-on leader and financially aware.
  • Ability to negotiate at all levels with strong leadership skills.
  • Motor Industry experience is preferable.
  • Ability to work to timescales effectively.
  • Keen eye for detail, good communication and a passion for delivering great customer service.
  • Strong industry knowledge.
  • Ability to work under pressure.

We value diversity and believe it strengthens our team. If you don’t meet every requirement listed but are enthusiastic about this role and eager to learn, we encourage you to apply.

Be part of something big:

Group 1 Automotive is on an exciting growth journey. We are home to over 7000 colleagues dedicated to providing exceptional customer service, with 114 dealerships in the UK, representing 21 brands at the forefront of automotive retail. But you don’t need to love cars to work with us - just need to share our mission to create outstanding and trusted experiences for our customers, our partners, and our people.

Our Values:

At Group 1 Automotive, we pride ourselves on our five core values that are incorporated in all we do: Respect - Integrity - Transparency - Teamwork - Professionalism. These are the principles that every member of our team lives by, whether that be business functions, customer interactions, how we interact with the local community and even how we view each other in the team.

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Contact Detail:

Group 1 Automotive Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land General Sales Manager

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in the automotive industry, especially regarding customer preferences and market dynamics. This knowledge will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to staying ahead in a competitive field.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with current or former employees of Group 1 Automotive or similar companies. Engaging in conversations about their experiences can provide valuable insights into the company culture and expectations, which you can leverage during your application process.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully led teams or improved sales performance in previous roles. Being able to articulate your leadership style and results will set you apart as a strong candidate for the General Sales Manager position.

✨Tip Number 4

Showcase your passion for customer satisfaction by preparing anecdotes that highlight your commitment to delivering exceptional service. This aligns perfectly with the values of Group 1 Automotive and will resonate well with the hiring team.

We think you need these skills to ace General Sales Manager

Leadership Skills
Customer Service Excellence
Negotiation Skills
Sales Performance Management
Market Analysis
Financial Awareness
Team Development
Communication Skills
Attention to Detail
Ability to Work Under Pressure
Automotive Industry Knowledge
Time Management
Problem-Solving Skills
Adaptability

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience and skills that align with the General Sales Manager role. Focus on leadership abilities, customer satisfaction, and any automotive industry experience you may have.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for delivering great customer experiences. Mention specific examples of how you've successfully led teams or improved sales performance in previous roles.

Highlight Key Skills: In your application, emphasise your negotiation skills, attention to detail, and ability to work under pressure. These are crucial for the role and should be clearly demonstrated in your written materials.

Show Enthusiasm for the Company: Research Group 1 Automotive and express your enthusiasm for their values and mission in your application. Mention how you align with their core values of respect, integrity, transparency, teamwork, and professionalism.

How to prepare for a job interview at Group 1 Automotive

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a General Sales Manager, strong leadership abilities are crucial. Be prepared to discuss your previous experiences in leading teams, how you motivate others, and any specific strategies you've used to achieve sales targets.

✨Demonstrate Customer-Centric Thinking

This role requires a deep understanding of customer satisfaction and loyalty. Share examples of how you've successfully improved customer experiences in the past and how you plan to continue doing so in this position.

✨Prepare for Negotiation Scenarios

Negotiation is key in this role. Think of past situations where you've had to negotiate terms or resolve conflicts. Be ready to discuss your approach and the outcomes, showcasing your ability to handle challenging discussions.

✨Understand the Automotive Industry

While previous automotive experience is beneficial, it's not mandatory. However, having a solid grasp of current trends and challenges in the automotive sector will set you apart. Research recent developments and be ready to share your insights during the interview.

General Sales Manager
Group 1 Automotive
Location: Guildford
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