At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the After-Sales & Customer Operations team to maximise vehicle collections and enhance customer experience.
- Company: Fast-growing car buying company with a collaborative and ambitious culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonus, wellbeing support, and exciting team events.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a rapidly expanding company with a billion-dollar goal.
- Why this job: Join a market leader and make a real impact in a dynamic automotive environment.
- Qualifications: Strong automotive knowledge, proven negotiation skills, and team leadership experience.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 55000 £ per year.
Location: Tangmere, Chichester (Fully Onsite Role)
Salary: £40,000 – £55,000 + Performance-Related Bonus
About Us
We are the clear market leader in our sector and one of the fastest-growing car buying companies globally. In the UK alone, we generate over 100,000 customer enquiries each month and process tens of thousands of vehicle bookings through our high-traffic platforms and nationwide operations. With recent expansion into the United States and ambitious plans for further growth, we are scaling rapidly. Backed by over 15 years of profitability (without external funding), we combine stability with the pace and energy of a startup. Our culture is driven by ambitious, collaborative people who are committed to building the most exciting place to work in our industry. Our goal is bold: to achieve a billion-dollar valuation within five years—while continuing to make a meaningful impact, including over £1 million already donated to charity.
About the Role
We are looking for a hands-on, commercially minded manager with strong automotive knowledge to lead our After-Sales & Customer Operations team. This is a fully onsite position in Tangmere, Chichester, requiring close collaboration with teams and real-time decision-making. You will play a key role in maximising volume collections across the business; managing vehicle collections post-sale, handling discrepancies, leading negotiations, and ensuring deals remain commercially viable while delivering a professional customer experience.
Key Responsibilities:
- Team Leadership & Structure
- Lead and develop a team of After-Sales Coordinators
- Set clear expectations, processes, and performance standards
- Build a transparent, fair, and consistent team culture
- After-Sales Operations
- Oversee the full lifecycle of vehicle collections
- Interpret inspection findings using automotive expertise
- Ensure accurate assessment of discrepancies and adherence to processes
- Negotiation & Commercial Management
- Lead complex negotiations to retain deals while protecting margin
- Support the team in handling valuation changes confidently
- Make final decisions on disputed valuations
- Balance customer experience with strong commercial discipline
- Customer Issue Resolution
- Handle escalated issues professionally and effectively
- Clearly explain vehicle-related issues to customers
- Identify and implement improvements to reduce recurring issues
- Commercial Accountability
- Monitor KPIs: negotiation success, cancellations, profitability, satisfaction
- Ensure fair use of incentive schemes
- Identify process gaps and drive improvements
- Provide reporting and insights to senior leadership
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with Sales, Transport, and Finance teams
- Improve accuracy in vehicle descriptions and pricing
- Provide automotive guidance across departments
Skills & Experience
Essential:
- Solid mechanical knowledge (engine, gearbox, suspension, bodywork, etc.)
- Proven negotiation skills with strong commercial awareness
- Experience leading teams in operations, customer service, or after-sales
- Confident decision-maker with experience handling escalations
- Strong communication skills (verbal and written)
- Experience working to KPIs and structured processes
Desirable:
- Background in automotive, salvage, inspections, logistics, or related fields
- Understanding of vehicle valuation (used/scrap/salvage)
- Experience improving or restructuring teams
Personal Attributes
- Strong, fair leader who builds trust and accountability
- Calm under pressure with a proactive mindset
- Commercially astute and confident in decision-making
- Transparent, consistent, and improvement-focused
What We Offer
- Competitive salary + performance bonus
- Opportunity to lead a business-critical function
- Supportive leadership with autonomy to make an impact
Benefits & Perks:
- Comprehensive pension
- Wellbeing and employee support programme
- Discounted gym membership and on-demand GP access
- Retail and leisure discounts
- Regular team events (summer and Christmas parties)
- Free food Fridays and fresh fruit onsite
- Free onsite parking
- Discounted garage services
- Counselling and financial assistance helplines
After-Sales & Customer Operations Manager in Crawley employer: Scrap Car Comparison
Scrap Car Comparison is an excellent employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises employee growth and satisfaction. With a competitive salary and performance bonuses, this dynamic company fosters a collaborative environment where your leadership skills can thrive, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the automotive industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land After-Sales & Customer Operations Manager in Crawley
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the automotive industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to after-sales and customer operations. Think about your past experiences and how they relate to the role. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online resources to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your negotiation skills! Be ready to discuss specific examples where you’ve successfully navigated tough situations. This is key for the After-Sales & Customer Operations Manager role, so make sure you highlight your commercial awareness during interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team. So, get that application in and let’s make it happen!
We think you need these skills to ace After-Sales & Customer Operations Manager in Crawley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the After-Sales & Customer Operations Manager role. Highlight your automotive knowledge and any relevant experience in team leadership or customer service. We want to see how you can bring your unique skills to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background aligns with our goals. Don’t forget to mention your negotiation skills and how you handle customer issues—these are key for us!
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your impact in previous roles. Whether it's improving KPIs or leading successful negotiations, we love to see quantifiable results that show what you can bring to the table.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our exciting journey at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Scrap Car Comparison
✨Know Your Automotive Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your mechanical knowledge before the interview. Be ready to discuss specifics about engines, gearboxes, and other vehicle components. This will show that you’re not just a manager but someone who understands the nitty-gritty of the automotive world.
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of past negotiations where you successfully retained deals while maintaining margins. Think about how you balanced customer satisfaction with commercial discipline. This is key for the role, so be ready to demonstrate your prowess in this area.
✨Team Leadership Insights
Be prepared to talk about your experience leading teams. Share specific strategies you’ve used to set expectations and build a positive team culture. Highlight how you’ve handled escalations and resolved issues effectively, as this will resonate well with their focus on team dynamics.
✨Understand KPIs and Accountability
Familiarise yourself with key performance indicators relevant to after-sales operations. Be ready to discuss how you’ve monitored and improved KPIs in previous roles. This will show that you can bring a data-driven approach to the position and contribute to their ambitious growth plans.
