Vehicle Advisor Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

Description

Toyota of Hemet is seeking an experienced, highly organized Internal Service Advisor - Vehicle Reconditioning & PDI to coordinate the service and reconditioning of dealership-owned inventory.

Unlike a traditional customer-facing Service Advisor position, this role is primarily responsible for managing used vehicle reconditioning, new vehicle Pre-Delivery Inspections (PDIs), and other internal repair orders. The Internal Service Advisor serves as the primary link between the Service Department, Used Vehicle Department, New Vehicle Department, technicians, Parts Department, vendors, and dealership management.

The ideal candidate understands dealership operations, can manage a high volume of vehicles and repair orders, and recognizes that speed, accuracy, quality, and cost control directly affect how quickly inventory becomes available for sale.

• Coordinate the complete reconditioning process for used vehicles entering dealership inventory.
• Coordinate and monitor new vehicle PDI completion and related internal work.
• Open and maintain accurate internal repair orders for dealership-owned vehicles.
• Review vehicle inspections and technician recommendations to identify required mechanical, safety, maintenance, and cosmetic work.
• Obtain appropriate management authorization for reconditioning and internal repairs.
• Coordinate work with technicians, Parts, Detail, Used Vehicle Management, Sales Management, and outside vendors.
• Maintain accurate documentation of approved repairs, declined work, parts requirements, sublet repairs, and vehicle status.
• Monitor vehicles throughout the reconditioning process and aggressively follow up on delays.
• Track parts availability and backorders and communicate issues that could delay vehicles from becoming frontline-ready.
• Help prioritize work based on inventory needs, vehicle age, sales demand, and management direction.
• Review repair orders for accuracy before closing, including labor, parts, sublet charges, and proper internal accounting.
• Monitor reconditioning expenses and immediately identify unusual or excessive repair costs for management review.
• Ensure approved work is completed properly before vehicles are released for sale.
• Coordinate recalls, campaigns, inspections, and required services when applicable.
• Maintain accurate status information for vehicles currently undergoing PDI or reconditioning.
• Communicate proactively with Service and Sales leadership regarding vehicle status, estimated completion, delays, and obstacles.
• Assist management in identifying opportunities to improve reconditioning cycle time, cost, quality, and overall inventory readiness.
• Follow dealership policies, manufacturer requirements, and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Success in this position will be measured by the ability to consistently deliver:

Fast Inventory Turnaround
Move used vehicles through inspection, approval, repair, detail, and frontline readiness as efficiently as possible.

Timely PDI Completion
Ensure new vehicles are processed accurately and promptly so they are available for sale without unnecessary delays.

Accurate Repair Orders
Maintain complete and accurate internal repair orders with proper documentation, authorization, labor, parts, and sublet charges.

Cost Control
Help ensure reconditioning expenditures are appropriate, authorized, and consistent with the dealership's inventory objectives.

Effective Communication
Provide Service, Used Vehicle, and Sales Management with clear and timely information regarding vehicle status and delays.

Quality Control
Help ensure vehicles meet Toyota of Hemet's standards before being released to the sales inventory.

Requirements

• Automotive dealership service or reconditioning experience strongly preferred.
• Service Advisor, Internal Advisor, Recon Coordinator, Used Vehicle Reconditioning, or similar dealership experience preferred.
• Working knowledge of automotive repair and maintenance operations.
• Ability to understand technician recommendations and repair estimates.
• Strong organizational and follow-up skills.
• Ability to manage a large number of vehicles and repair orders simultaneously.
• Strong attention to detail and repair-order accuracy.
• Ability to effectively prioritize work in a fast-paced dealership environment.
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with Service, Parts, Sales, Used Vehicle, Detail, and outside vendors.
• Experience with dealership DMS and service-management systems preferred.
• Toyota dealership experience is a plus.
• Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record as required for the position.

We are looking for someone who takes ownership of the reconditioning process.

The right candidate does not simply open repair orders and wait for work to be completed. This individual actively tracks every vehicle, follows up on parts and repair delays, communicates obstacles, controls unnecessary downtime, and works with the team to get inventory properly reconditioned and ready for sale as quickly as possible.

This position is ideal for an automotive professional who is highly organized, understands dealership fixed operations, and enjoys coordinating multiple departments toward a common objective.