What is a service manager and how to become one

Q: How long does it take to become a Service Manager?

It takes 6 years of professional experience to become a service manager. That is the time it takes to learn specific service manager skills, but does not account for time spent in formal education. If you include the normal education requirements to complete a college degree, then it takes 9 to 11 years years to become a service manager.

Q: How do I become a successful car service manager?

To become a successful car service manager means developing and refining skills related to customer service and car knowledge. A successful car service manager must have polished people skills. One of the most important elements of a car service manager is customer service. You will need to take customer bookings, provide estimates, and deal with suppliers, so being friendly and courteous is a definite plus.

Q: How do you become a service manager at a dealership?

To become a service manager at a dealership, you need a high school diploma or equivalent. Some jobs require a bachelor's degree in automotive service management or a related field, while other auto service manager jobs just require an associate degree and on-the-job experience.

Q: Is a service manager a good job?

Yes, being a service manager is a good job. A service manager makes decent money and has a good job outlook. In addition, a service manager plays an important role in the company to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Q: What are the roles and responsibilities of a service manager?

The roles and responsibilities of a service manager include covering a team of service associates while also ensuring the business operates as usual. The main roles and responsibilities for service managers include:

Q: What qualifications do I need to be a service manager?

The typical qualification to be a service manager is a degree in business administration or management. A person should also possess at least five years of experience working in customer service, though many jobs look for ten years of experience.

Q: What skills does a service manager need?

Skills needed to be a service manager include good people skills, communication, and a strong understanding of the industry and business process. A service manager should have the following attributes:

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Mark Meng Ph.D.

A service manager is responsible for overseeing the delivery of services to customers, ensuring that they are delivered efficiently, effectively and to a high standard. They often work in industries such as IT, healthcare or hospitality. Service managers must have strong communication and organizational skills, as well as the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities simultaneously. They may also be responsible for developing and implementing strategies to improve service delivery and customer satisfaction.

What general advice would you give to a service manager?

Mark Meng Ph.D.

Mark Z. Meng, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Indiana University Kokomo

Analytical skill comes at the top. The hospitality world has becoming increasingly
dependent on data. Crisis and emergency management demonstrated their importance
in the past three years across all areas of the hospitality industry.

ScoreService ManagerUS Average

Salary

5.8

Avg. Salary $74,009

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

9.6

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.5

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.47%

Asian 6.32%

Black or African American 6.13%

Hispanic or Latino 15.03%

Unknown 4.33%

White 67.72%

Gender

female 28.89%

male 71.11%

Age - 44

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44

Stress level

9.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

9.2

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

3.6

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a service manager?

Pros

High earning potential with bonuses and commissions
Opportunities for career growth and advancement
Exposure to different technologies and equipment
Ability to implement changes and improvements
Flexibility in scheduling and location

Cons

High-pressure environment with high expectations
Long hours, including weekends and holidays
On-call for emergencies or issues
Accountability for mistakes made by the team or company
Difficulties in balancing personal life with work demands

Key steps to become a service manager

Explore service manager education requirements

Most common service manager degrees

Bachelor's

51.9 %

Associate

20.7 %

High School Diploma

12.1 %

Start to develop specific service manager skills

Skills	Percentages
POS	11.58%
Performance Reviews	7.95%
Cash Handling	7.65%
Food Handling	6.80%
Cleanliness	4.66%

Complete relevant service manager training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New service managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a service manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real service manager resumes.

Gain additional service manager certifications

Service manager certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific service manager certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for service managers include Associate Service Executive (ASE) and EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification (EPA).

More About Certifications

Research service manager duties and responsibilities

Manage compliance with all safety requirements to meet OSHA regulations.
Manage a staff of eight employees and maintain oversight of all departments and staff.
Utilize ADP software to prepare contract estimates, manage client and vehicle records, and time management.
Lead and consult in several projects which lead to the justification and approval of new ERP platform implementation.

Prepare your service manager resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your service manager resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a service manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable service manager resume templates

Build a professional service manager resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your service manager resume.