General Sales Manager (GSM) – Arlington Nissan (Arlington Heights, IL)
Ignite the Potential of a Sleeping Giant: Arlington Nissan in Arlington Heights, IL is a well-established dealership primed for exponential growth. As part of the Rohrman Auto Group – a respected name serving the Greater Chicago area since 1963 – our store boasts a loyal customer base and robust inventory, yet we know it can achieve much more. We are seeking an elite General Sales Manager to lead our sales team to new heights. The goal is clear: transform Arlington Nissan into the #1 volume Nissan dealer in the region, a strategy that will also generate abundant trade-in vehicles to fuel a thriving used car department.
Position Overview
This is a high-impact leadership role for a candidate with a track record of excellence. The GSM will have operational control of the sales department, including hiring and firing authority, and will report directly to the General Manager. You will be responsible for the entire sales operation – from setting ambitious volume and profit targets to designing and executing the processes that achieve them. We need a dynamic leader who sets industry-high standards and leads by example as a teacher, trainer, and mentor to the sales staff. If you are the kind of manager who is highly engaged on the showroom floor, energizes your team with a positive attitude, and never misses an opportunity to improve customer experience or profitability, then you might be the powerhouse we’re looking for.
Key Responsibilities
- Drive Sales Performance: Oversee all day-to-day operations of the new and used car sales departments, guiding the sales team to meet and exceed monthly and annual sales goals. Set clear objectives for volume, gross profit, and customer satisfaction, and consistently monitor performance.
- Team Leadership & Development: Hire, train, motivate, and supervise sales managers and associates, fostering a high-energy, professional team culture. Act as a hands-on coach and mentor, conducting regular training and sales meetings to continually elevate the team’s skills. Build a positive, team-oriented environment that encourages longevity and high performance.
- Strategic Growth Initiatives: Develop and implement strategies to expand sales volume and market share. This includes leveraging the service drive and CRM equity mining tools to turn service customers into sales opportunities, and executing grassroots marketing campaigns to attract new business. By focusing on becoming the #1 volume Nissan dealer, ensure a steady flow of trade-in vehicles to strengthen our used car inventory.
- Customer Experience & CSI Excellence: Ensure every customer receives a world-class experience, from first contact through after-sale follow-up. Lead the team in maintaining an excellent Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI), promptly addressing any customer concerns to build loyalty and repeat business. The GSM is expected to “walk the floor” and engage with customers directly, setting the example for customer-centric service and making sure every opportunity is seized.
- Inventory & Marketing Management: Work closely with the General Manager and inventory team to maintain an optimal mix of new and used vehicles aligned with market demand. Monitor local market conditions and demographics, and make data-driven recommendations for advertising, sales promotions, and inventory acquisition to maximize sales opportunities. Oversee merchandising and lot display standards to ensure a professional, appealing showroom and lot.
- Financial & Operational Accountability: Proactively manage the sales department’s financial performance. Review daily and monthly metrics (unit sales, gross, expenses, etc.) and adjust tactics as needed to hit targets. Work with dealership leadership on annual forecasting and budgeting for the sales department. Approve all deals, monitor pricing and F&I product penetration, and ensure compliance with dealership policies and manufacturer standards.
- Department Oversight: Exercise full authority over sales department operations and staffing. This includes recruiting top-tier sales talent, making personnel changes when necessary, and structuring the team for optimal performance. You will collaborate with other department heads (e.g. Service, Finance) to ensure dealership-wide synergy and success. Ultimately, you are accountable for the sales department’s volume, profitability, and growth trajectory.
Qualifications & Ideal Candidate Profile
- Experience & Track Record: 5+ years of automotive sales management experience (General Sales Manager or New/Used Car Sales Manager) with a proven record of high-volume sales and profit growth. Prior success in driving a dealership to top performance in its market is highly desired – we are only interested in the best of the best.
- Leadership & Coaching: A natural leader who can inspire and develop a sales team. You should possess strong leadership, communication, and emotional intelligence skills – capable of building trust and motivating a diverse team. Being a “player-coach” who thrives on teaching and mentoring others is a must.
- High Energy & Positive Attitude: Enthusiasm, resilience, and a positive, team-building attitude are essential. The ideal GSM leads by example on the showroom floor, maintains high energy levels, and cultivates a can-do culture where challenges are met with solutions.
- Strategic Vision & Initiative: Demonstrated ability to formulate and implement effective sales strategies, marketing plans, and process improvements. You think ahead of the curve and are adept at initiatives like equity mining, service drive conversion, and community outreach to drive business.
- Customer-Centric Focus: Unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction and the ability to instill that value in your team. A strong reputation for delivering exceptional customer service and maintaining high CSI scores is expected.
- Business Acumen: Solid understanding of dealership financials, inventory management, and marketing analytics. Comfortable analyzing sales data and market trends to make informed decisions. Able to manage budgets and expenses to ensure department profitability.
- Integrity & Accountability: A record of operating with the highest ethical standards and professionalism. You take ownership of your department’s results and constantly strive for excellence in every aspect of the business.
- Education & Skills: High school diploma (required); college degree is a plus. Proficiency with CRM/Dealer Management Systems and common software tools (e.g. MS Office). Must have a valid driver’s license and an insurable driving record.
Compensation & Benefits
We offer an industry-leading compensation package for this role. This includes a high-percentage commission on the entire sales department’s gross profit, aligning your rewards directly with the success you generate. As the GSM, your earning potential is substantial, with no cap on commissions for top performance. Additionally, Arlington Nissan (The Rohrman Auto Group) provides a full benefits package to support you and your family:
- Competitive base salary plus an aggressive commission plan (percentage of total department gross profit).
- Health, Dental, and Vision insurance.
- Life Insurance and Disability coverage (STD/LTD).
- 401(k) retirement plan with company matching contributions.
- Paid Time Off (vacation, holidays, personal days).
- Ongoing professional training and development programs.
- Vehicle purchase & lease discounts and other auto group perks.
(Final compensation plan will be commensurate with experience and discussed in detail with candidates.)
How to Apply
If you are the high-caliber leader ready to awaken this “sleeping giant” and lead Arlington Nissan to record-breaking success, we want to hear from you! Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter detailing your relevant experience and what makes you the ideal candidate for this role.
Join us in making Arlington Nissan the benchmark for volume, customer satisfaction, and team excellence.
Arlington Nissan – 1100 W. Dundee Rd, Arlington Heights, IL 60004 – Part of the Rohrman Automotive Group
(Arlington Nissan is an equal opportunity employer. All inquiries will be kept confidential.)
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $100,000.00 - $450,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Opportunities for advancement
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Referral program
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Experience:
- automotive sales management (GSM or New/Used Manager): 5 years (Required)
License/Certification:
- Driver's License (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- Arlington Heights, IL 60004 (Required)
Work Location: In person
