How to hire a dealership manager

How to hire a dealership manager, step by step

Here's a step-by-step dealership manager hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a dealership manager job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new dealership manager
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The dealership manager hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A dealership manager's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, dealership managers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of dealership managers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Dealership Manager	Description	Hourly rate
   Dealership Manager	Top executives devise strategies and policies to ensure that an organization meets its goals. They plan, direct, and coordinate operational activities of companies and organizations.	$17-66
   Manager/Partner	A manager/partner or managing partner is a professional who manages the daily activities of a company as well as guides its overall strategic business direction. Managing partners must cooperate with other executives, board members, and employees to implement organizational goals, procedures, and policies... Show more	$30-67
   Manager	Managers are responsible for a specific department, function, or employee group. They oversee their assigned departments and all the employees under the department... Show more	$17-44

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • DMV

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage complete operation of the HVAC and refrigeration service company
   • Design an economically viable distillation recovery system, which also decrease environmental impact associate with solvent production and disposal.
   • Create and manage a free subscription, advertising- base facsimile publication and franchising system.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your dealership manager job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A dealership manager salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, dealership managers' average salary in mississippi is 63% less than in district of columbia.
   • Seniority. Entry-level dealership managers earn 73% less than senior-level dealership managers.
   • Certifications. A dealership manager with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a dealership manager's salary.

   Average dealership manager salary

   $72,109yearly

   $34.67 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level dealership manager salary

   $37,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 18, 2025

4. Writing a dealership manager job description

   A dealership manager job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a dealership manager job description:

   Dealership manager job description example

   • Leadership team dedicated to the success of their employees
   • Advancement opportunities
   • Large company opportunity and security in a Family Company culture
   • Competitive hourly rate
   • Paid training
   • Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits including Zero Cost medical plan option
   • Pet Insurance
   • Tuition reimbursement
   • 401(k) retirement with a discretionary contribution
   • Paid Holidays
   • Paid time off
   • Internal referral program

   Employment Information:

   • Status: Full-time
   • Location: Clearfield, PA

   Summary:

   The Management Trainee at our Clearfield branch is a structured development program for high energy, team oriented, and competitive individual pursing leadership opportunities in the fast paced heavy duty truck industry. This program is designed to develop a pool of skilled team members eligible for postings in Sales Account Management and Assistant Management positions within the Hunter Truck network of dealerships.

   Essential Duties: include the following. Other duties may be assigned

   • Successfully complete training program with rotations in each department of the organization: Parts, Service, Truck Sales, Leasing, Finance and Corporate departments
   • Establish and maintain positive working relationships with Hunter Truck management teams, customers, and vendors.
   • Attend OEM, Vendor, dealership sponsored events and training as required. This will require travel and evening or occasional weekend assignments.
   • Complete required training and obtain Commercial Driver’s License from the state where you reside.
   • Demonstrate competence, skill, flexibility and ability to multi-task in each training module before progressing to the next phase.
   • Demonstrate competence in small group / team leadership, problem resolution, customer care, creative thinking, solutions formulation, group presentation skills, project development and execution / implementation.
   • Participation in weekly recap meetings with Department Manager, bi-weekly with General Manager, monthly with Corporate Support Managers, V.P., and Mentor.

   Requirements:

   • College Degree preferred, or 2 years work experience in franchise dealership or related industry; related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

   • Valid Driver's License required; must meet company insurability standards

   • Commercial Driver’s License (preferred) must meet company insurability standards
   • Vehicle Sales License if in state (can obtain upon hire)

   All applicants are subject to background and drug screening.

   Not the position for you? Join our Talent Community at the bottom of our Careers Page to be considered for a variety of openings!

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find dealership managers for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your dealership manager job on Zippia to find and recruit dealership manager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with dealership manager candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new dealership manager

   Once you've selected the best dealership manager candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new dealership manager. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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