Variable Operations Director Jobs in Texas (NOW HIRING)

Company Description

ZT Automotive Group operates a growing portfolio of dealerships across Texas, Florida, Alabama, and Georgia, representing domestic, import, and luxury franchises, and continues to add rooftops. The organization is built on integrity, transparency, and consistency, and invests in technology and process to stay ahead of where the business is going.

We are building a corporate Variable Operations team. Corporate exists to support the rooftops. The people in these roles are expected to bring real expertise to our stores and earn the trust of the operators who run them. We are looking for someone who partners with our stores rather than reports on them: building real relationships with General Managers and department leadership, owning the outcome alongside them, understanding how a decision in one department shows up in another, and caring about the health of the store beyond a single number.

Role Description

The Corporate Manager, New Vehicle Operations is a full-time role based in Houston, TX, responsible for new vehicle performance across the group. This role owns sales efficiency, customer satisfaction performance, manufacturer program attainment, and allocation strategy at the group level rather than the daily operation of an individual store.

The Corporate Manager maintains a current, detailed understanding of every manufacturer program in which the group participates, including volume objectives, stair-step incentives, facility and floor plan assistance, captive penetration requirements, and certification requirements, and communicates how those programs interrelate. The role also oversees standardized workflows for new vehicle ordering, allocation, and distribution across stores, ensuring accurate documentation and compliance with manufacturer and corporate guidelines.

Day-to-day responsibilities include analyzing market trends and performance data, reviewing store and franchise performance against objective, providing pacing communication to General Managers and Market Directors during the month rather than reporting results after it closes, developing relationships with manufacturer field representatives, evaluating allocation performance, developing and refining operating procedures, coordinating cross-store initiatives, resolving operational issues that affect new vehicle sales and customer experience, and supporting executive leadership with reporting and strategic planning.

The role works in partnership with the Regional Pre-Owned Manager on trade capture, with the Regional Director of F&I and Lender Relations on captive penetration, with the Regional Fixed Operations Directors on sales-to-service handoff and delivery quality, and with the Corporate Trainer, who is responsible for store-level training and development. This position has no direct reports and works through General Managers, Market Directors, and store leadership. The person in this seat will help define how new vehicle operations are run across the group as we add rooftops.

Compensation and Benefits

This position is compensated through a base salary plus bonuses tied to department and group performance. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401(k) retirement plan, paid time off, and participation in the employee vehicle purchase program. Specific plan details are reviewed during the interview process.

Additional Information

Other duties may be assigned as business needs require.

ZT Automotive Group is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment background check, motor vehicle record review, and drug screening. Candidates must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and an insurable driving record.

Qualifications

• Experience in new vehicle operations, including manufacturer program attainment, sales efficiency, allocation, and OEM ordering and distribution.

• Demonstrated knowledge of manufacturer incentive and bonus structures, with the ability to explain the relationship between operational metrics and program earnings.

• Strong operations management and process improvement skills, including experience standardizing procedures across multiple locations.

• Proficiency in data analysis, forecasting, and inventory management, with the ability to use reports and metrics to drive decisions and optimize vehicle allocation.

• Ability to coach, influence, and build collaborative relationships across multiple locations without direct supervisory authority, and to lead change across stores.

• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills, with professional presence appropriate for OEM, vendor, and executive-level interaction.

• Proven organizational and time-management abilities to manage regional responsibilities and competing priorities in a fast-paced, results-oriented environment.

• Experience with dealership management systems, CRM platforms, OEM ordering tools, and digital merchandising platforms, along with strong general computer literacy including Excel and reporting tools.

• Knowledge of automotive sales operations, OEM programs, and compliance requirements, with attention to accuracy and regulatory adherence.

• Prior multi-store or corporate-level experience in the automotive industry strongly preferred. Single-store New Vehicle Directors prepared for a group-level role will be considered.

• An ownership mentality and the ability to build trust with experienced operators.

• Bachelor’s degree in business, management, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and automotive leadership experience.

• Based in Houston, Texas. Candidates must live in or be willing to relocate to the Houston area.

• Willing to travel to dealership locations across the group’s markets, approximately 50% to 65%, including air travel to markets outside Texas.

• Valid driver’s license and an acceptable driving record.