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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Oversee used car operations, ensuring smooth processes and resolving issues swiftly.
- Company: Dynamic automotive company focused on excellence in used car sales.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Be the driving force behind operational success and customer satisfaction in the automotive industry.
- Qualifications: Experience in used car operations and strong problem-solving skills required.
- Other info: Join a fast-paced environment where your decisions directly impact business success.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
This is a hands-on Operations Manager role responsible for keeping used car operations running smoothly, profitably, and without friction. The focus is on protecting margin, controlling preparation costs, and ensuring issues are resolved quickly and do not repeat. You will take full ownership of stock flow, vehicle preparation, problem cars, and escalated customer issues. Acting as the central point between buying, sales, preparation, contractors, and aftersales, you will reduce operational problems so they do not disrupt sales performance or customer experience.
Key Responsibilities
- Stock and Margin Control: You will manage the full vehicle lifecycle from purchase to sale, ensuring stock moves efficiently and accurately. This includes monitoring stock ageing, taking ownership of delayed or problem vehicles, and challenging unnecessary preparation spend to protect margin.
- Vehicle Preparation and Contractors: Control all preparation and mechanical work, managing third-party contractors to agreed cost, quality, and turnaround standards. You will identify repeat faults, rework issues, and underperforming suppliers, sourcing alternatives where needed.
- Problem Vehicles and Quality Issues: Take ownership of vehicles with repeated faults or post-sale failures, deciding the most commercially sensible resolution and feeding recurring issues back into buying and preparation standards.
- Customer Complaints and Aftersales: You will handle escalated customer complaints and complex aftersales issues, acting as the decision-maker on remedies in line with consumer law and company policy. Outcomes must be fair, consistent, and commercially sound.
- Warranty and Cost Control: You will monitor warranty claims and aftersales costs, challenge declined claims where appropriate, identify trends, and recommend operational changes to reduce future issues.
- Process and Reporting: Maintain clear operational processes and accurate systems, producing regular reports on stock ageing, preparation backlogs, problem vehicles, complaints, and aftersales costs, using data to drive continuous improvement.
Skills and Experience
- Proven experience in used car operations, service management, or automotive operations
- Strong understanding of vehicle preparation, mechanical processes, and cost control
- Experience managing third-party contractors and supplier performance
- Confident handling customer complaints and difficult conversations
- Commercially minded, organised, and comfortable taking full accountability
Personal Attributes
- Calm under pressure and solutions-focused
- Strong communicator with the confidence to challenge
- Pragmatic, decisive, and commercially aware
Operations Manager in Surrey employer: SS&C
Contact Detail:
SS&C Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Manager in Surrey
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the automotive industry and let them know you're on the lookout for an Operations Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of vehicle preparation and cost control. Be ready to discuss how you've tackled operational challenges in the past, as this will show potential employers that you’re the right fit for keeping their used car operations running smoothly.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply anywhere; focus on companies that align with your values and expertise. Use our website to find roles that match your skills in managing stock flow and customer complaints. Tailor your approach to each company to stand out!
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the role. Mention something specific from the interview to remind them why you’re the perfect candidate for the Operations Manager position.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager in Surrey
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Operations Manager role. Highlight your experience in used car operations and any relevant skills that match the job description. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've tackled similar challenges in the past, especially around stock control and customer complaints.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills: In your application, don’t shy away from discussing how you've resolved operational issues in previous roles. We love candidates who can think on their feet and come up with practical solutions, so let us know how you’ve done this before!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at SS&C
✨Know Your Numbers
Make sure you’re familiar with key metrics related to used car operations, such as stock ageing and preparation costs. Being able to discuss these figures confidently will show that you understand the financial side of the role and can protect margins effectively.
✨Showcase Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of how you've resolved operational issues in the past, especially those involving problem vehicles or customer complaints. Highlighting your ability to take ownership and find solutions will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Understand the Supply Chain
Brush up on your knowledge of vehicle preparation processes and third-party contractor management. Be ready to discuss how you’ve successfully managed suppliers and ensured quality standards in previous roles.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Since the role involves handling escalated customer complaints and complex aftersales issues, demonstrating strong communication skills will be crucial in the interview.
