District Manager Northern Illinois

Role Overview

The District Manager is a senior field leader responsible for driving performance, consistency, and culture across multiple service centers. This role scales excellence-ensuring every location delivers exceptional customer experiences, strong financial results, and safe, efficient operations.

You lead through Center Managers, building leadership capability, strengthening accountability, and creating alignment to company standards. You balance strategic oversight with hands-on field presence, acting as both coach and operator to unlock performance across your district. This role requires an owner's mindset, sharp business acumen, and a relentless focus on people, process, and profitability.

Key Responsibilities

Multi-Unit Leadership & Talent Development

• Lead, coach, and develop General Managers to operate high-performing, customer-centric service centers
• Build a strong leadership bench through succession planning, talent identification, and targeted development
• Establish clear performance expectations and hold teams accountable to results and behaviors
• Partner with GMs on hiring, onboarding, and building strong, service-driven teams at every location
• Foster a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement across the district

Financial Performance & Business Growth

• Own district-level Profit & Loss (P&L) performance, including revenue, labor, and expense management
• Drive consistent achievement of sales and profitability targets across all locations
• Analyze business trends, identify gaps, and implement action plans to improve performance
• Ensure disciplined cost control across labor, inventory, and operating expenses

Operational Excellence

• Ensure consistent execution of operational standards across all service centers
• Standardize best practices across locations while remaining adaptable to local market needs
• Conduct regular site visits, audits, and performance reviews to ensure operational consistency
• Leverage data and KPIs to guide decision-making and improve overall district performance

Customer Experience & Brand Standards

• Champion a best-in-class customer experience rooted in trust, transparency, and speed
• Ensure consistent execution of the sales process, including vehicle health checks and service recommendations
• Monitor customer feedback, resolve escalations, and implement improvements to elevate satisfaction and retention
• Reinforce brand standards and ensure every location reflects the company's values and service expectations

Safety, Compliance & Risk Management

• Lead a safety-first culture across all locations, ensuring full compliance with OSHA and company standards
• Ensure all teams are properly trained on safety protocols, procedures, and reporting
• Conduct regular safety audits and enforce accountability for compliance
• Protect company assets, customer vehicles, and facilities through strong operational discipline
• Ensure adherence to all local, state, and federal regulatory requirements

Community Engagement & Market Presence

• Support GMs in building strong local relationships to drive awareness and customer growth
• Identify opportunities for fleet partnerships and local business development
• Partner with marketing to execute district-wide and local initiatives that drive traffic and revenue

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent experience
• 5+ years of multi-unit leadership experience in automotive, retail, restaurant, or service-based industries
• Proven success leading leaders and managing high-performing teams across multiple locations
• Strong financial acumen with deep understanding of P&L management and performance drivers
• Track record of achieving or exceeding revenue, profitability, and operational KPIs
• Experience scaling operations while maintaining consistency and quality
• Proficiency in business systems, reporting tools, and performance analytics

Profile

• You lead leaders-developing General Managers into high-impact operators
• You think and act like an owner, balancing short-term execution with long-term growth
• You are highly data-driven but equally strong in people leadership
• You bring structure, clarity, and accountability to fast-paced environments
• You are comfortable in the field-visible, hands-on, and engaged with your teams
• You operate with integrity, urgency, and a bias for action

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Frequent travel between locations within the district
• Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends as needed to support the business
• Regular presence in service centers, including time spent in active shop environments
• Ability to stand, walk, and move throughout service centers during site visits

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent experience
• 5+ years of multi-unit leadership experience in automotive, retail, restaurant, or service-based industries
• Proven success leading leaders and managing high-performing teams across multiple locations
• Strong financial acumen with deep understanding of P&L management and performance drivers
• Track record of achieving or exceeding revenue, profitability, and operational KPIs
• Experience scaling operations while maintaining consistency and quality
• Proficiency in business systems, reporting tools, and performance analytics