Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Manager of Tire Sales

🎯 Role Definition

As the Manager of Tire Sales, you will be the driving force behind the success and profitability of our tire department. You are a player-coach, responsible for leading a high-performing sales team, optimizing store operations, and cultivating a customer-first environment. This strategic role requires a blend of hands-on sales leadership, business acumen, and deep automotive product knowledge. You will be accountable for achieving sales targets, managing inventory, controlling costs, and ultimately growing our market share by building lasting relationships with both retail customers and commercial accounts.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Senior Tire Sales Associate / Lead Salesperson
Assistant Store Manager (Automotive/Retail)
Automotive Service Advisor

Advancement To:

Multi-Unit Manager / District Manager
Regional Sales Manager
General Manager (Automotive Group)

Lateral Moves:

Automotive Service Manager
Fleet Account Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of tire sales associates through continuous coaching, training, and performance management to foster a culture of excellence and accountability.
Drive sales performance to consistently meet and exceed store revenue targets, gross profit goals, and other key performance indicators (KPIs) for the tire category.
Develop and implement strategic sales plans to expand the customer base, increase wallet share with existing clients, and enhance market penetration within the local territory.
Ensure a world-class customer experience by actively engaging with customers, addressing inquiries, and resolving escalated issues promptly and professionally to build loyalty and repeat business.
Manage the profit and loss (P&L) statement for the tire department, focusing on maximizing profitability through effective pricing, cost control, and budget adherence.
Oversee the complete lifecycle of tire inventory management, including forecasting demand, placing orders with vendors, receiving stock, and conducting regular cycle counts to ensure accuracy and minimize loss.
Maintain a deep and up-to-date technical knowledge of all tire products, brands, features, benefits, warranties, and related automotive services to act as the subject matter expert for both your team and customers.
Build and nurture strong, lasting relationships with key commercial and fleet accounts to secure and grow profitable B2B sales channels.
Analyze sales data, market trends, and competitor activity reports to identify opportunities for growth, adjust sales strategies, and make informed, data-driven business decisions.
Conduct regular performance reviews, one-on-one coaching sessions, and motivational team meetings to keep the sales staff engaged, informed, and focused on their goals.
Collaborate closely with the Service Manager and technicians to ensure a seamless, efficient workflow between tire sales and vehicle installation, maximizing bay turnover and customer satisfaction.
Actively participate in the recruitment, interviewing, hiring, and onboarding process for new sales team members to ensure the team is properly staffed with top talent.
Ensure the showroom, tire displays, and all customer-facing areas are clean, organized, professionally merchandised, and compliant with brand standards at all times.
Implement and enforce all company policies, safety protocols, and operational standards to maintain a safe and compliant work environment for employees and customers.
Train the sales team on effective, consultative sales techniques, proper use of the point-of-sale (POS) system, and customer relationship management (CRM) best practices.

Secondary Functions

Develop and execute local marketing initiatives, in-store promotions, and community outreach events to drive traffic and attract new customers.
Manage the daily and weekly scheduling of the sales staff to ensure optimal floor coverage, excellent customer service levels, and alignment with labor budget targets.
Foster strong partnerships with tire manufacturers and vendors to stay informed about new products, training opportunities, and promotional programs.
Handle administrative duties including processing invoices, managing paperwork for sales and warranties, and preparing daily operational reports.
Champion a positive, collaborative, and results-oriented team culture that encourages open communication and mutual respect.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

P&L Management: Proven ability to read, analyze, and manage a profit and loss statement to drive financial results.
Tire Product Expertise: Extensive knowledge of various tire brands, sizes, types, performance characteristics, and warranties.
Point of Sale (POS) Systems: Proficiency with automotive retail software (e.g., R.O. Writer, Mitchell1, TireShop) for invoicing, inventory, and reporting.
Inventory Control Systems: Experience with inventory management, forecasting, ordering, and cycle counting procedures.
Sales Data Analysis: Ability to interpret sales reports and market data to identify trends and actionable insights.
Microsoft Office Suite: Competency in Word, Excel, and Outlook for communication, reporting, and analysis.

Soft Skills

Inspirational Leadership & Team Building: A demonstrated ability to hire, train, motivate, and lead a sales team to achieve ambitious goals.
Exceptional Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills for interacting effectively with customers, staff, and vendors.
Sales & Negotiation Acumen: A natural ability to close sales, overcome objections, and negotiate favorable terms with B2B clients.
Customer Service Excellence: A relentless focus on delivering an outstanding customer experience and resolving conflicts effectively.
Strategic & Analytical Thinking: The capacity to think critically, plan strategically, and make sound decisions based on data.
Problem-Solving: Resourceful and adept at identifying issues and implementing practical, timely solutions.
Time Management & Organization: Excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage time effectively in a fast-paced environment.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

Preferred Education:

Associate's or Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or a related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Business Management
Automotive Technology
Marketing

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

5-7 years of progressive experience in retail or automotive sales, with at least 2-3 years in a management, supervisory, or team lead role.

Preferred:

Direct experience as a manager in a tire retail center or automotive service facility is highly preferred. A verifiable track record of exceeding sales quotas, managing a P&L, and developing a successful sales team is a strong asset.