Overview

ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER
WILKINS HARLEY-DAVIDSON
 
Job Description: A medium volume, Family Harley-Davidson dealership is seeking an Assistant General Manager with retail sales experience. We are committed to attracting, retaining, developing and promoting candidates who are committed to working in a growing Harley-Davidson Dealership and have experience working in a diverse retail environment. Our goal is to seek out the best-qualified candidates for all of our departments.  We are looking for upbeat, highly energetic people to join our team in providing our customers with exceptional service in an exciting, fun and dynamic culture.
 
Assistant General Manager Summary Description:
Oversees and manages the operation of the dealership including vehicle sales, general merchandise, sales, service sales and/or retail sales when the General Manager is not on site and assisting the General Manager when he is on site.  The Assistant General Manager would be responsible for maximizing return on investment, profit and loss, daily operation, planning, development and implementation of marketing plans for both short and long term growth. Has direct responsibility for managing and controlling company assets, as well as, managing, coaching, and developing employees for future growth.   Daily reporting to the General Manager with a pre-designed composite is required. 
 
Assistant General Manager Responsibilities:

  • Provides direction and coordination for all areas of the dealership to include: sales, finance & insurance, parts, service, MotorClothes, shipping/receiving, customer service and building maintenance.
  • Establishes and communicates operating policies and procedures for dealership
  • Manages recruitment, interviewing hiring and termination of staff in collaboration with the General Manager unless the General Manager is not around and immediate termination is necessary. 
  • Operates the morning meeting, and Coaches, counsels and evaluates direct reports on a regular basis ensuring appropriate training is provided for management staff
  • Balances the demands of employees, suppliers, customers, owners and the community
  • Ensures departments maintain budgeted revenue and expense objectives
  • Maintains records, controls and requests reports from subordinates to evaluate dealership performance
  • Holds department managers accountable for established objectives and goals
  • Approves all major departmental expenditures
  • Acts as the face of the dealership to include greeting customers and handling customer complaints
  • Work with Wilkins Harley-Davidson’s HOG Chapter by attending meetings, and growing the Chapter.
  • Self-development by reading industry magazines, books, etc. 
  • Attend training sessions to keep current with all issues of dealership operations.
  • Responsible for dealing with Motor Company initiatives and programs.
  • At times, Assistant GM will be in direct contact with Motor Company.
  • Assistant GM, at times, will be required to occassionally travel to Harley-Davidson University, Dealer Shows, Town Hall Meetings, Performance Group Meetings, etc. as needed.

 
Customer Service

  • Treat customers in a courteous and friendly and professional manner.
  • Oversee and lead all Wilkins Harley-Davidson customer service initiatives including internal and external best practices.
  • Handle customer complaints reasonably, showing empathy and a positive attitude, and demonstrate our commitment to excellent customer experience.
  • Assist managers and supervisors when needed.
  • Responsible to manage and maintain CSI (Customer Service Indicators) reporting for dealer network at or above HDMC National levels. Goal is top 10% for all measures.
  • Performs other job duties as assigned, including taking turns cleaning the bathrooms.

 
Assistant General Manager Qualifications:

  • Five years or more of progressive management experience in a retail environment required
  • Demonstrated ability to manage all financial and management aspects of a 10+ million dollar business
  • Demonstrated ability to hire, manage, train and retain quality employees
  • Preferred knowledge and experience with sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles and other products sold by the dealership
  • Preferred knowledge of the Talon ES Point of Sale System
  • Demonstrated ability to operate and use Excel Spreadsheet
  • Display a history of a consistent positive attitude.

 
Recognizing that our employees are our greatest resource, we offer compettive salaries, bonus program tied to objectives, health insurance, one week paid vacation after the first year, two weeks paid vacation after the second, a matching Simple IRA retirement account, and the ability to be part of a team that has been around for 67 years. Being part of our team is not just about working for a dealership, it’s about embracing a lifestyle of freedom, passion, team members you can call friends, good times and great rides.  This career does require some sacrifice as anyone that is in the industry knows that you often won’t leave on time and while Wilkins Harley-Davidson is open 5 days a week, this position often requires 7 days a week from February through October. 
 
We pride ourselves on being one of the best Harley-Davidson dealerships around and have a track record to prove it with more Bar and Shield Awards than any other dealer in New England.

If you are self motivated, goal oriented, and willing to put all you have into a job, this is a great place for you.  To that end, we want to see if you read this entire post.  If you did, please include a short statement on why you think you would be a great fit for specifically, Wilkins Harley-Davidson.

All inquiries are forwarded in confidence to John W. Lyon, Co-Owner, Wilkins Harley-Davidson.  Please do not drop resumes off.  

About Wilkins Harley-Davidson

Wilkins Harley-Davidson, Inc. began in January 1947 with Harry J. Wilkins being appointed as a Harley-Davidson Dealer in Barre, Vermont.   He had his first shop at his mother’s house, 71 Merchant St. in Barre and a year later moved the shop to Upper Farwell St. in Barre to a building that was once a sawmill.
 
Harry and Barbara Wilkins continued the business there having their home next door.  Harry and Barbara had two children, twins, Alan and Ann.  Alan went into the service after high school and then on to become a Master Electrician.  In 1979 Alan decided to work at the shop and was instrumental in making the decision with Harry and Barbara to move the business in 1996 to South Barre where it is now located.  Ann had helped part-time in the office until 1995 when she began working full-time.
 
Since 1996 the business has grown considerably and at present has twenty full-time employees.
 
Harry J. Wilkins passed away in January 2000 at the age of 75.  He had spent every day of his life working the business.  Alan J. Wilkins passed away February 2002 after a two-year battle with cancer.  Barbara Wilkins and Ann Wilkins Lyon continue to work the business.  John W. Lyon, Harry & Barbara’s grandson joined the business in September, 2004.  John attended Norwich University and Quinnipiac Law School and brought fresh ideas and energy to the dealership.
 
 
In 2012, Wilkins Harley-Davidson was awarded the Platinum Bar and Shield Award.  The Platinum Bar and Shield Award is the highest award Harley-Davidson has and is given to the top 7 dealers in the United States.  Wilkins Harley-Davidson continues to grow and support its long-time and new customers.  

Dealership Sales are on the border of 10 million dollars annually and experiences very low turnover.