The retail automotive industry offers a huge choice of jobs for people with various skills, strengths and knowledge – from office to workshop, sales, marketing and management. Find the right fit for you and take a look at stories from trainees on their route into automotive.
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Vehicle Valeters clean motor vehicles, inside and out.
Duties will commonly include:
There are no formal qualifications required for this job role other than a full, clean driving licence although a genuine interest in the industry and experience in either the motor trade, industrial/office cleaning or dry cleaning may be advantageous.
You would however need to have a methodical approach, pay attention to detail and have an understanding of safety procedures, manufacturers’ instructions and warnings for different cleaning chemicals.
Valeters usually work 35 hours a week, depending on the employer’s operating hours however Valeters are likely to work weekends, and work is often seasonal.
Your salary could range from £11,000 to £20,000 depending on various factors or you could even be self-employed.
With experience you could lead a team of valeters, train people in the skills they need to become valeters themselves or run your own valeting business. Running your own business means earning potential can be substantial, depending on the size of your business.
Receptionists are the first people customers come into contact with. They are responsible for the initial meeting and greeting of customers both in person and over the phone.
Duties will commonly include:
Employers would look for good GCSE or Standard Grades in English, Maths and IT and qualifications in Business or Administration would be advantageous.
Employers will look for someone who is approachable and friendly with a professional manner. You would also need to have a genuine interest in the customer experience and an understanding of the organisation is needed in order for you to be able to direct calls efficiently.
Employers would look for good GCSE or Standard Grades in English, Maths and IT and qualifications in Business or Administration would be advantageous.
Employers will look for someone who is approachable and friendly with a professional manner. You would also need to have a genuine interest in the customer experience and an understanding of the organisation is needed in order for you to be able to direct calls efficiently.
To progress your career you may go on to gain technical knowledge and become a Customer Service Adviser or move into an Administration role earning between £20,000 to £25000.
General administrators will support the general manager/dealer principal, the sales department, the service department or the parts department in performing routine administrative functions such as drafting correspondence, scheduling appointments, providing information to customers and maintaining electronic and other files.
Responsibilities may vary depending on the employer but duties usually include:
There are no formal qualifications or entry routes specified for this role, however employers usually look for good GCSEs/Standard Grades in English, Maths and IT. You may also be able to get into this job via a Business & Administration or Customer Service apprenticeship or full time study at college.
As part of the administration team you would need to demonstrate good IT skills, strong organisational skills, excellent written and verbal communication and an understanding of customer service.
You will normally work from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday and part time work is often also available in an Administration role. You will be office based and as an apprentice earn £6,000 to £8,000. Once qualified you can expect to earn £10,000 to £16,000 and with more experience increase to £17,000 or more.
An administrator can progress to a more senior administration role or Office Manager earning between £24,000- £33,000.
Warranty Administrators are responsible for taking the lead on all warranty related issues between dealerships and their customers and manufacturers. Duties of a Warranty Administrator may include:
Warranty Administrators will need to have knowledge of activities, methods, procedures and policies of the service and parts department. Therefore some employers may desire a qualification in business and administration for the automotive industry although there are no formal qualifications required for entry to this role. As a Warranty Administrator you will need to demonstrate a professional appearance, good organisational skills, good communication skills and an ability to work as a team.
You will normally work around 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday and you will be office based within a garage or dealership. A Warranty Administrator can expect to earn between £13,000 and £18,000 per year and there may be opportunities for shift and overtime pay depending on your employer.
You could progress your career within a dealership to a Senior Warranty Administrator or an Aftersales Manager earning £26,000 to £33,000 a year.
A Customer Service Advisor deals directly with customers, scheduling service work to their vehicles and informing them of any additional repairs required. They will handle administrative and customer relations aspects of service department operations.
Their duties may vary slightly from employer to employer depending on the size of the company, but they commonly include:
Employers will look for good GCSEs/Standard Grades in English, Maths and ICT and may also prefer a qualification in customer service.
As a Customer Service Advisor you will need to demonstrate a professional manner, good organisational skills and the ability to gather technical information and relay it in a way that customers will understand.
Customer Service Advisors normally work between 35 and 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday but depending on your employer this could include some Saturday work.
You will be office based and may be placed at the front of the business where you will conduct some of your work face to face and over the phone, communicating with customers and updating them on the progress of their vehicles.
Your salary could range from £12,000 to £25,000 depending on experience, however there may also be opportunities for shift or overtime pay depending on your employer.
You could progress your career to become and Customer Service or Aftersales Manager earning £26,000 to £33,000 a year.
Sales Executives are responsible for selling new and used vehicles from cars and motorcycles to vans and commercials trucks. In larger organisations you will work as part of a team or specialise in one aspect of selling however in smaller organisations you may be responsible for all aspects of vehicle sales.
Duties may vary depending on the type and size of the organisation, but they will commonly include:
Sales Executives do not need any formal qualifications although many employers will expect GCSE/Standard Grades (A-C) in Maths and English. More importantly you would need to have a genuine interest in the vehicles you are selling, a confident and outgoing personality and a smart appearance with a polite and professional approach.
It is also vital to have excellent communication and listening skills in order to be an effective negotiator and be able to explain technical information to the general public.
You would need to have the ability to build and maintain good customer relations, have confidence using IT software and a high level of numeracy. In addition you would need to demonstrate good organisational skills and the ability to remain calm under pressure. You would need to be a good team player and also be able to work without supervision.
Sales Executives usually work around 40 hours per week, which will include some weekend and evening work to cover the busiest trading times. It is also possible to find part time Sales Executive positions. The working environments may vary depending on the employer and the vehicles you are selling but you would normally be based in a showroom or an office. Many Sales Executives also have the opportunity to venture out to the forecourt to show customers around and accompany them on test drives.
A starting salary for new entrants may be between £9,000 and £15,000. Basic earnings for experienced sales people may start at £15,000, but with commission, bonuses and other benefits the final salary would be much higher. Successful Sales Executives would earn upwards of £35,000, possibly £50,000 or more and receive a company car.
A Sales Executive would typically progress their career to a Sales Manager role earning an annual salary of £35,000 and above.
Parts Advisors are also sometimes known as Vehicle Parts Operatives and they are responsible for ordering, selling and managing stock control on a wide range of vehicle parts and accessories.
Duties may vary from employer to employer but will typically include:
Although there are no formal qualifications required as a Parts Advisor you will need to demonstrate a good technical understanding and general knowledge of how motor vehicles work. You would also be required to have confidence in problem solving, processing payments and good communication skills. In addition it is key that you have a willingness to keep technical knowledge updated in order to provide the most efficient service possible and an ability to work on your own initiative and as well as being part of a team.
There are a range of qualifications for Parts Advisors covering the underpinning knowledge you will need to get started and the hands-on skills required to carry out the job. These qualifications are often obtained through an apprenticeship.
Full time hours are typically around 40 hours a week for a Parts Advisor. This could include some weekend or evening work and may be on a rota system with other team members. You may also be able to find part time work in this area. Working environments will differ depending on your employer so you may be based within a shop, parts distributor or dealership.
Trainee Parts Advisors may earn between £6,000 and £8,000 a year and when fully trained may earn between £10,000 and £15,000 a year, progressing to £20,000 or more with more experience.
A Parts Advisor could progress to a Parts Manager role earning between £30,00 to £33,000.
Accounts staff usually work as part of a team, with specific individuals responsible for particular areas of accounting.
All businesses need accounts staff to process and monitor payments coming into and going out of the business. The team will be responsible for managing all financial aspects of the business dealing with financial outgoings, such as payroll, or incoming payments.
The duties will vary depending on the role but may include:
You will need to have a genuine interest in accounts and business related work, and you may wish to consider applying for apprentice/traineeship schemes.
As part of the accounts team you would need to hold qualifications in maths and English, demonstrate good IT and problem solving skills, have strong organisational skills and a good eye for detail.
Your salary as a newly qualified Accounts Assistant may range from £16,000 to £22,000 depending on the size and type of employer and your responsibilities within the organisation.
You may wish to study further to achieve an accounting qualification. Together with your experience it may assist you to progress to a senior accounts role or to become a Finance or Accounts Manager potentially earning anywhere from £27,000 to £40,000+.
Human resources managers are responsible for hiring employees, co-ordinating personnel policies within an organisation, and maintaining functions such as recruitment and organisation procedures.
You will be:
You will need to have excellent management skills and knowledge of all human resources areas.
CIPD qualifications are available at Level 7 (Advanced), Level 5 (Intermediate) and Level 3 (Foundation).
You will normally work approximately 37 hours a week, Monday to Friday. Your role will be office based and you will be expected to attend meetings when required.
Salary £25,000-£35,000+ depending on experience
There may be opportunities for overtime pay depending on your employer. You may also be eligible for holiday entitlement, company pension and private healthcare schemes.
Working environments include: Fast Fit, Light Vehicle, Dealership, Independent, Heavy Vehicle, Leasing and Renting, Parts and Motorcycle. This could lead from being a HR manager to Director earning upwards of £60,000.
Marketing plays an important role in almost every industry and Marketing Managers for the automotive industry focus on ensuring that the customers’ needs are met whilst maximising the profits of the organisation.
You will be:
Marketing is a multi-disciplinary profession that is likely to include aspects of direct marketing, research, public relations, branding and communications. It involves working alongside a wide range of people within the marketing team, in addition to supporting other teams within the dealership.
Marketing Managers quite often progress into this role from similar roles in other industries or a more junior marketing role in automotive. Employers would look for a track record in marketing and for evidence of successful campaigns.
It may also be possible to transfer skills gained in Sales to a career in Marketing. In addition to a solid academic background, employers are also likely to look for business or media based qualifications.
As a Marketing Manager you will need to demonstrate a wide knowledge of marketing techniques and concepts and an understanding of business awareness. You would also need to be proactive and have excellent communication skills, good organisation skills and the ability to work within a budget. The ability to work well under pressure is also key to this role and as with many management positions be able to work well with others and be able to motivate a team.
Most Marketing Managers will work 9am to 5pm but you may be required to work additional hours to meet targets and deadlines during busy periods.
You will find yourself mainly office based and attending meetings when required however some travel may be necessary, especially if the company you work for is international.
New Marketing Managers can expect to earn between £25,000 and £30,000 with more experienced Marketing Managers earning £30,000 to £40,000, sometimes more.
Working environments could also include: Fast Fit, Light Vehicle, Heavy Vehicle, Leasing and Renting, Parts and Motorcycle Dealerships.
General Managers or Dealer Principals are responsible for ensuring the efficient running of the whole organisation. They may be involved with planning, and motivating and co-ordinating the company’s management through leadership.
You will be Completing evaluation performance reviews and developing short and long term goals with each department manager, developing and maintaining business plans annually to enhance the company’s performance, creating and maintaining good working relationships with lending institutes and manufacturer personnel.
You would also be expected to oversee advertising programmes and merchandising strategies for the dealership, focus on customer complaints that department managers are unable to rectify and taking the necessary action to resolve these complaints, maintaining an enthusiastic outlook to build positive employee attitudes and morale within the dealership.
In addition you would be coordinating regular meetings with the managers of each department to ensure their profitability and efficiency and effectively communicating with the office manager on a weekly basis to review forecasts and consistency in performance.
Some previous experience in vehicle sales would be advantageous and a good starting point for this career.
If you have been working in the industry you may be able to progress to the level of general manager/dealer principal with sufficient training and/or a qualification in Automotive Management. Employers may also expect you to be qualified in management at a strategic level.
Most office based staff, including Dealer Principals, work on average 37-40 hours per week, usually Monday to Friday but, depending on your employer, this could include some Saturday work. You will be mainly office based and will be expected to attend regular meetings with team members and external customers in the UK and abroad.
Salary is £40,000 – £100,000+
You may also be eligible for holiday entitlement, company pension and private healthcare schemes.
