Automotive Service Writer​/Manager

Experienced Automotive Service Manager

MrKitt's Service Center, Inc. is seeking a highly experienced Automotive Service Manager who knows the automotive repair business inside and out. This is not an entry-level management position. We are looking for someone who understands cars, diagnostics, repairs, technicians, customers, shop workflow, sales, profitability, and team leadership. The right candidate must be able to walk into a busy repair shop, understand what is happening on the floor, communicate intelligently with technicians, explain repairs clearly to customers, manage workflow, and keep the entire operation moving efficiently.

You do not have to be the technician performing every repair, but you must have enough automotive knowledge and experience to understand what the technicians are diagnosing, recognize when something does not make sense, properly communicate repair recommendations, and confidently manage the service department.

The Service Manager will be responsible for the day-to-day performance of the repair operation and will serve as the primary connection between customers, technicians, service advisors, vendors, and ownership. Our expectation is simple: excellent customer service, accurate repairs, a productive team, an organized shop, and profitable operations.

We are specifically looking for someone who:

• Has extensive, hands-on knowledge of the automotive repair industry.
• Understands how vehicles operate and is familiar with modern automotive systems and diagnostics.
• Can communicate effectively with experienced automotive technicians.
• Can review diagnostic findings and repair recommendations with confidence.
• Understands labor times, parts, repair procedures, estimates, and repair orders.
• Knows how to properly manage a busy automotive repair shop.
• Has strong customer service and sales skills.
• Can manage personalities, solve problems, and hold employees accountable.
• Understands shop profitability, productivity, efficiency, and customer retention.
• Can take ownership of the service department without requiring constant supervision.

If your management experience is outside of the automotive repair industry, this position is not the right fit.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage the complete daily workflow of the automotive repair department.
• Schedule vehicles based on shop capacity, technician availability, repair complexity, and promised completion times.
• Dispatch work appropriately to technicians based on skill level and workload.
• Monitor vehicles throughout the repair process to prevent unnecessary delays.
• Review technician findings, diagnostic results, inspections, and repair recommendations.
• Ensure customer concerns are accurately documented before repairs begin.
• Review and approve repair orders for accuracy, completeness, labor, parts, and supporting documentation.
• Ensure estimates accurately reflect required repairs and recommended maintenance.
• Monitor technician productivity, efficiency, billed hours, comeback rates, and overall shop performance.
• Identify bottlenecks and make immediate adjustments to keep work moving.
• Ensure Digital Vehicle Inspections are completed properly and professionally.
• Maintain an organized and efficient service department.
• Ensure completed vehicles receive appropriate quality-control checks before being released.
• Maintain compliance with Pennsylvania Safety Inspection and Emissions requirements.

Technical Automotive Knowledge:

• Engine diagnostics and repair.
• Check-engine-light diagnostics.
• Braking systems.
• Steering and suspension.
• Tires and wheel alignment.
• Electrical and charging systems.
• Heating and air conditioning.
• Cooling systems.
• Fuel systems.
• Exhaust and emissions systems.
• Transmission and driveline concerns.
• Preventive and scheduled maintenance.
• Fluid leaks.
• Starting and charging systems.
• Modern vehicle electronics and computerized diagnostics.

You are not expected to personally perform every repair. However, you must understand automotive repair well enough to manage technicians, evaluate recommendations, communicate repairs to customers, and make sound operational decisions.

Customer Service & Sales:

• Deliver an exceptional customer experience from vehicle drop-off through final delivery.
• Listen carefully to customer concerns and ensure those concerns are properly communicated to technicians.
• Explain diagnostic findings and recommended repairs in clear, understandable language.
• Present repair estimates professionally and confidently.
• Communicate repair costs, priorities, timelines, and potential delays honestly…