Service Director - Mercedes-Benz of Walnut Creek

About the Role

Join Mercedes-Benz of Walnut Creek, part of the Sonic Automotive family, and access the resources and support necessary to progress your career in automotive service leadership. Sonic Automotive operates over 100 dealerships nationwide, dedicated to your professional development and long-term success.

This position offers a salary ranging from $150,000 to $300,000 annually, complemented by potential commission and production bonuses based on service department performance. The compensation package includes a base monthly draw, with no cap on commissions or bonuses tied to revenue and profitability achievements.

Role Summary

The Service Director leads and expands the fixed-operations functions within one or several dealerships, overseeing Service, Parts, and Service Scheduling departments. The primary focus is maximizing revenue, profitability, and customer satisfaction while adhering to OEM and company standards. This role demands hands-on leadership, solid financial and operational expertise, and a strong commitment to customer service excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, mentor, and guide service managers, advisors, and technicians to elevate team performance.
• Execute operational best practices and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to drive improvements.
• Manage vendor and warranty relationships effectively to support service operations.
• Oversee cost control measures and optimize parts inventory management.
• Promote continuous enhancements in customer satisfaction indices (CSI), service throughput, and customer retention.

Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum of seven years progressive experience in fixed-operations within automotive dealerships, including at least three years in leadership roles such as Service Manager or Director; experience across multiple franchises is advantageous.
• Proven track record managing Service and Parts financials, achieving targets in revenue, gross profit, productivity, and cost control.
• In-depth knowledge of workshop processes, flat-rate labor systems, repair order management, warranty and OEM repair protocols, and parts inventory optimization.
• Demonstrated ability to improve CSI scores, service lane efficiency, retention rates, and team performance through coaching and KPI-driven management.
• Experience recruiting, developing, and retaining skilled technicians and advisors with strong team-building and succession planning capabilities.
• Proficiency in dealership DMS/ERP systems, service scheduling software, CRM platforms, and Microsoft Office; skilled at data-driven operational decisions.
• Excellent communication skills with a strong focus on vendor and OEM relationship management, problem-solving, and maintaining brand standards oriented towards customer satisfaction.
• Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record.
• Legal authorization to work in the United States is required.
• Ability to pass all pre-employment screenings, including background checks, motor vehicle record reviews, and drug tests.

Work Schedule and Benefits

• Full-time position with a schedule from Monday through Saturday; Sundays off.
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Company-paid life insurance coverage.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company matching contributions, including Traditional and Roth options.
• Generous paid time off and paid parental leave policies.
• Continual training and professional development opportunities to foster career advancement.
• A collaborative, performance-driven workplace culture.

Additional Information

Sonic Automotive is a Fortune 500 company and one of the leading automotive retailers in the United States, operating a comprehensive network of top-brand dealerships. The company is focused on transforming the automotive purchase and service experience through innovative technology and a strong customer- and employee-focused approach.

All applicant information will be handled confidentially in adherence to Equal Employment Opportunity guidelines.