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General Manager Dealer Principal Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Own executive-level relationships across assigned strategic accounts, including Dealer Principals, General Managers, Fixed Ops Directors, BDC Leaders, and OEM field representatives. * Position Solera ...

We have multiple locations and are currently hiring an experienced General Manager for our ... with Dealership Principal, Owner, and Managers to implement dealership sales processes · ...

General Manager

Mansfield, OH · On-site

$100 - $125/hr

We have multiple locations and are currently hiring an experienced General Manager for our ... Collaborate with Dealership Principal, Owner, and Managers to implement dealership sales processes

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General Manager Dealer Principal information

See salary details

$36.5K

$109.4K

$182K

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

As of Sep 9, 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:

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.

Dealership Controller

Victorville, CA

North American Companies
Manufacturing • 201 - 500 employees

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 17 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Oversee all dealership accounting operations, financial reporting, reconciliations, and internal controls.

  • Supervise and support accounting office personnel responsible for vehicle inventory, deal posting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, deposits, and administrative functions.

  • Coordinate month-end close activities, prepare financial statements, and ensure accuracy and compliance with policies and standards.


Job description

Job Description:
Dealership Controller We are an established, growing automotive dealership committed to operational excellence, accountability, and delivering exceptional customer experiences. We are seeking an experienced, detail-oriented Dealership Controller to lead our accounting office, strengthen internal controls, and provide accurate financial reporting to ownership and management.
This is a key leadership position that partners directly with the General Manager and ownership team to ensure the financial health and integrity of the dealership. Position Summary The Dealership Controller is responsible for overseeing all dealership accounting operations, financial reporting, reconciliations, internal controls, and accounting personnel. The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader with dealership accounting experience who can identify issues, implement processes, develop staff, and provide timely and accurate financial information to support business decisions. Develops and implement procedures for streamlining processes including support needed to properly complete reviews, audits, and corporate requests. Seeks opportunities for process enhancements; suggests, plans and implements new policies and procedures as required. Leads accounting operations-related special projects. Other duties as assigned
Job Requirement:Key Responsibilities Supervise and support accounting office personnel, including staff responsible for vehicle inventory, deal posting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, deposits, product cancellations, reconciliations, and administrative accounting functions. Review and monitor new and used vehicle accounting, including deal jackets, recap posting, inventory schedules, flooring, trade payoffs, cost of sale postings, packs, add-ons, and related general ledger activity. Ensure daily deposits, EFT postings, bank activity, and cash handling procedures are completed accurately and in accordance with dealership controls. Oversee monthly schedule reconciliations, including vehicle inventory, receivables, payables, product payable accounts, flooring, warranty, internal repair orders, petty cash, credit cards, and other balance sheet accounts. Prepare financial statements and general ledger activity for accuracy, completeness, and proper classification prior to submission to ownership or management. Identify accounting errors, posting issues, process gaps, and control weaknesses, and implement corrective action with the appropriate department managers. Coordinate month-end close activities, including reconciliations, expense reviews, accruals, inventory verification, and financial statement preparation. Work with sales, finance, service, parts, and management teams to ensure paperwork, contracts, repair orders, charge accounts, product forms, and supporting documents are timely and complete. Maintain compliance with dealership policies, manufacturer requirements, lender requirements, tax rules, and applicable accounting standards. Provide training, guidance, and accountability to accounting staff to ensure procedures are consistent, documented, and followed. Qualifications 5+ years of automotive dealership accounting experience. Prior experience as a Dealership Controller, Assistant Controller, or Office Manager. Strong knowledge of dealership accounting, general ledger, financial statement preparation, inventory schedules, flooring, deal posting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and month-end close. Experience cleaning and reconciling aged schedules, warranty receivables, contracts in transit, and inventory discrepancies. Ability to research accounting discrepancies, reconcile schedules, and communicate required corrections clearly. Strong leadership, organization, follow-up, and communication skills. Ability to work with multiple departments and hold teams accountable for accurate and timely documentation. High level of attention to detail, confidentiality, and professional judgment. Experience with Dealertrack, Tekion, CDK, Reynolds & Reynolds, or similar dealership management systems preferred. Reporting and Performance Expectations The Dealership Controller typically reports to the General Manager, Dealer Principal, or ownership group.
Success in this position is measured by timely and accurate financial statements, clean reconciliations, effective accounting controls, reduced posting errors, timely deal processing, accurate inventory accounting, strong communication between the accounting office and operating departments, and the ability to proactively identify accounting issues, hold departments accountable for timely documentation and corrections, and maintain accounting processes that consistently meet month-end deadlines and accounting standards. Compensation & Benefits Competitive salary based on experience. Health, dental, and vision benefits. Paid time off. 401(k) and additional benefits available. If you are an experienced dealership accounting professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and wants to make a meaningful impact, we encourage you to apply. When you join our organization, you'll enjoy comprehensive training, competitive compensation, and unparalleled benefits. Simply put, you'll experience the best that a career in the automotive industry has to offer. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people assigned to this work. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. We reserve the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs as necessary. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and a drug free workplace. We Would Love To Talk With You!
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