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General Manager Dealer Principal Jobs (NOW HIRING)

John Jones Ford of Salem

General Manager

Salem, IN · On-site

Previous experience as a General Sales Manager, General Manager, or Dealer Principal preferred. * Demonstrated success in increasing sales and profitability. * Strong leadership, communication, and ...

John Jones Ford of Salem

General Manager

Salem, IN · On-site

Previous experience as a General Sales Manager, General Manager, or Dealer Principal preferred. * Demonstrated success in increasing sales and profitability. * Strong leadership, communication, and ...

Go Auto

General Manager (Los Angeles)

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$300K - $600K/yr

As we continue to grow in Southern California, we're looking for experienced General Managers, General Sales Managers, and Dealer Principals to help lead our next phase of growth. We've grown from a ...

Go Auto

General Manager (Los Angeles)

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$300K - $600K/yr

As we continue to grow in Southern California, we're looking for experienced General Managers, General Sales Managers, and Dealer Principals to help lead our next phase of growth. We've grown from a ...

Go Auto

General Manager (Los Angeles)

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$300K - $600K/yr

As we continue to grow in Southern California, we're looking for experienced General Managers, General Sales Managers, and Dealer Principals to help lead our next phase of growth. We've grown from a ...

Go Auto

General Manager (Los Angeles)

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$300K - $600K/yr

As we continue to grow in Southern California, we're looking for experienced General Managers, General Sales Managers, and Dealer Principals to help lead our next phase of growth. We've grown from a ...

Solera

Account Manager, Dealer Solutions

Serve as the main point of contact for dealer leadership, including Dealer Principals, General Managers, Fixed Ops Directors, BDC Managers, and OEM field reps. * Build deep, trusted relationships ...

Solera

Account Manager, Dealer Solutions

Manhattan, NY · On-site +1

Serve as the main point of contact for dealer leadership, including Dealer Principals, General Managers, Fixed Ops Directors, BDC Managers, and OEM field reps. * Build deep, trusted relationships ...

Solera

Account Manager, Dealer Solutions

Serve as the main point of contact for dealer leadership, including Dealer Principals, General Managers, Fixed Ops Directors, BDC Managers, and OEM field reps. * Build deep, trusted relationships ...

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General Manager Dealer Principal information

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$36.5K

$109.4K

$182K

How much do general manager dealer principal jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for general manager dealer principal in the United States is $109,393.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $85,000.00 and $125,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a general manager dealer principal?

A General Manager Dealer Principal is the top executive responsible for overseeing all operations of an automotive dealership. This role typically includes managing sales, service, parts, and finance departments while ensuring profitability and customer satisfaction. The Dealer Principal may also be the owner or have a significant ownership stake in the dealership. They are responsible for setting business goals, maintaining manufacturer relationships, and ensuring compliance with legal and corporate standards. Strong leadership, business acumen, and industry experience are critical for success in this position.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a general manager dealer principal?

To thrive as a General Manager Dealer Principal, you need strong leadership, sales management, financial acumen, and a comprehensive understanding of dealership operations, usually supported by experience in automotive management. Familiarity with dealership management systems (DMS), inventory management software, and financial reporting tools is typically required. Exceptional communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills help build strong customer and staff relationships and drive business growth. These skills are essential for maximizing profitability, ensuring operational efficiency, and maintaining high standards of customer satisfaction in a competitive automotive environment.

What are some of the main challenges a general manager dealer principal faces in balancing operational efficiency with customer satisfaction?

A General Manager Dealer Principal often faces the challenge of maintaining high operational efficiency while ensuring exceptional customer satisfaction. Balancing sales targets, inventory management, and cost controls with the need to deliver a positive customer experience requires strong leadership and strategic planning. This role involves coordinating closely with sales, service, and finance teams to align goals and foster a customer-focused culture. Success in this position often depends on the ability to adapt quickly to market changes and implement best practices that benefit both the business and its clients.

What is the difference between General Manager Dealer Principal vs Sales Manager?

AspectGeneral Manager Dealer PrincipalSales Manager
CredentialsExperience in automotive dealership management, often with a dealer licenseSales experience, often with sales certifications or training
Work EnvironmentOversees entire dealership operations including sales, service, and administrationFocuses primarily on leading the sales team and achieving sales targets
Industry UsageCommonly used in automotive dealerships to denote top executiveUsed across various sales sectors, including automotive, retail, and B2B

The General Manager Dealer Principal is responsible for the overall dealership operations, including sales, service, and profitability, while the Sales Manager focuses specifically on leading the sales team and meeting sales goals. Both roles require strong leadership and industry knowledge, but the Dealer Principal has broader responsibilities across the entire dealership.

How much does a general manager dealer principal make a year?

A general manager dealer principal typically earns between $100,000 and $250,000 annually, depending on the size of the dealership, location, and experience. Compensation often includes a base salary plus bonuses or profit sharing based on dealership performance.

What cities are hiring for General Manager Dealer Principal jobs?

Cities with the most General Manager Dealer Principal job openings:

What states have the most General Manager Dealer Principal jobs?

States with the most job openings for General Manager Dealer Principal jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to General Manager Dealer Principal jobs?

For General Manager Dealer Principal jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

General Manager Dealer Principal jobs near you
Infographic showing various General Manager Dealer Principal job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $109,393 per year, or $52.6 per hour.

General Manager

Salem, IN • On-site

John Jones Ford of Salem
See more jobs at John Jones Ford of Salemexternal

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 19 days ago

Job description

The General Manager is responsible for the overall leadership, profitability, and daily operations of the dealership. This position oversees all departments—including Sales, Finance & Insurance (F&I), Service, Parts, and Administration—to ensure exceptional customer satisfaction, employee development, and financial performance while maintaining the standards and values of John Jones Auto Group.

Responsibilities
  • Direct and oversee all dealership operations.
  • Develop and execute sales and profitability strategies.
  • Lead, coach, and mentor department managers and staff.
  • Monitor and improve new and used vehicle sales performance.
  • Ensure outstanding customer service and maintain high CSI (Customer Satisfaction Index) scores.
  • Manage dealership budgets, expenses, and financial performance.
  • Review monthly financial statements and establish performance goals.
  • Oversee inventory management and vehicle acquisition.
  • Ensure compliance with manufacturer requirements, company policies, and state and federal regulations.
  • Foster a positive workplace culture focused on accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
  • Recruit, hire, train, and retain high-performing employees.
  • Build strong relationships with customers, community partners, and manufacturer representatives.
 Qualifications
  • 5–10+ years of automotive dealership management experience.
  • Previous experience as a General Sales Manager, General Manager, or Dealer Principal preferred.
  • Demonstrated success in increasing sales and profitability.
  • Strong leadership, communication, and decision-making skills.
  • Experience managing fixed operations (service and parts) and variable operations (sales and F&I).
  • Ability to analyze financial reports and performance metrics.
  • Knowledge of dealership management systems (DMS), CRM platforms, and inventory software.
  • Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
 Preferred Skills
  • Strategic planning and business development.
  • Financial analysis and budgeting.
  • Team leadership and employee development.
  • Customer relationship management.
  • Conflict resolution and negotiation.
  • Process improvement and operational efficiency.
 Performance Expectations
  • Achieve sales and gross profit objectives.
  • Increase customer satisfaction and retention.
  • Maintain healthy inventory levels.
  • Improve employee productivity and retention.
  • Ensure regulatory and manufacturer compliance.
  • Support continued growth of the dealership and John Jones Auto Group.
 Benefits
  • Competitive compensation with performance incentives.
  • Health, dental, and vision insurance.
  • 401(k) retirement plan.
  • Paid time off.
  • Employee discounts on vehicles, parts, and service.
  • Ongoing training and professional development.

Apply