Shop Manager

Shop Manager / Lead Installer

We are looking for an experienced, hands-on Shop Manager / Lead Installer to lead the day-to-day operations of a busy automotive accessory and installation shop.

This is not simply a senior technician position. We need someone who can lead people, manage workflow, communicate clearly, and take ownership of getting the day's work completed correctly and on time.

The right candidate will have a strong mechanical background, solid automotive electrical and wiring experience, and proven experience leading technicians or shop employees.

This role is ideal for an experienced Shop Manager, Foreman, Lead Technician, or Senior Installer who is ready to take ownership of a shop and its team.

The Role

This is a hands-on leadership position managing a small team of approximately 2–3 technicians.

The Shop Manager is responsible for taking the work scheduled for the shop and making sure it gets completed safely, correctly, efficiently, and on or before the promised completion time.

You will determine how work is prioritized, assign technicians to jobs, monitor progress throughout the day, help resolve problems, and step into installations when additional experience or leadership is needed.

The ideal balance is approximately 50% leadership and 50% hands-on work, although the priority is always making sure the shop and team are operating effectively.

What You'll Do

• Lead the day-to-day operation of the shop
• Direct and support a team of approximately 2–3 technicians
• Prioritize scheduled jobs based on deadlines and shop workload
• Assign work based on technician experience, workload, and job complexity
• Monitor job progress throughout the day and adjust priorities when needed
• Ensure jobs are completed on or before their scheduled completion time
• Hold technicians accountable for quality, productivity, safety, and professionalism
• Coach, train, and develop technicians
• Address performance issues and provide clear feedback when expectations are not being met
• Lead or assist with complex installations when additional technical experience is needed
• Perform mechanical and automotive accessory installations
• Diagnose and complete automotive electrical and 12V wiring work
• Troubleshoot installation, mechanical, and electrical problems
• Verify that the correct parts have arrived and are staged for the correct vehicle before work begins
• Ensure parts and components are installed on the correct customer vehicle
• Communicate parts shortages or incorrect parts to the appropriate team
• Maintain an organized, clean, and safe shop
• Maintain shop tools, equipment, and work areas
• Perform quality-control checks before vehicles leave the shop
• Help eliminate rework, callbacks, missed items, and incomplete installations
• Communicate clearly with the sales/front-counter team regarding job status, delays, or potential issues
• Occasionally communicate directly with customers regarding installation questions or concerns
• Assist management with employee coaching, performance management, and disciplinary recommendations when necessary

What Success Looks Like

A successful Shop Manager doesn't just complete their own work. They make the entire shop better.

Success in this position means:

• Scheduled jobs are completed on time or ahead of schedule
• Technicians know what they should be working on and what is expected of them
• Problems are identified early instead of at the end of the job
• Installations are completed correctly the first time
• Vehicles are 100% complete before leaving the shop
• Rework and customer callbacks are kept to a minimum
• Parts are verified before jobs begin, the earlier the better
• The shop stays clean, organized, and safe
• Technicians are productive and held accountable
• Communication between the shop and sales team is clear and timely
• The manager steps in when needed without becoming so focused on their own installation work that the rest of the shop is left unmanaged

Required Experience & Skills

Candidates must have:

• 5+ years of relevant hands-on automotive, mechanical, installation, or similar experience
• Strong automotive electrical and 12V wiring experience
• Strong mechanical troubleshooting and installation skills
• Previous leadership experience managing or directing other employees
• Experience assigning work, managing priorities, and keeping a team on schedule
• Ability to lead technicians while also working alongside them
• Strong verbal communication skills
• Ability to give clear direction and expectations
• Ability to hold employees accountable professionally and consistently
• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills
• Ability to read and follow wiring diagrams, installation instructions, and technical documentation
• Ability to recognize when a job is falling behind and take action before it becomes a problem
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality workmanship
• Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record

Leadership Experience

A formal Shop Manager title is not required.

We will consider candidates with experience such as:

• Shop Manager
• Assistant Shop Manager
• Shop Foreman
• Lead Technician
• Lead Installer
• Senior Automotive Technician
• Fleet Technician Lead
• Automotive Electrical Technician Lead

What matters most is demonstrated experience leading people and work, not simply being the most technically experienced person in the shop.

Backgrounds That May Be a Good Fit

Relevant experience may come from:

• Automotive repair
• Truck or automotive accessories
• Dealership service departments
• Fleet maintenance or upfitting
• Commercial vehicle installation
• RV service or installation
• Emergency vehicle upfitting
• Powersports
• Automotive electrical installation
• Aftermarket vehicle equipment installation
• Similar mechanical and 12V electrical environments

Previous truck-accessory experience is helpful but is not required for someone with a strong mechanical and automotive electrical background.

Who We're Looking For

We are looking for someone who:

• Takes ownership instead of waiting to be told what to do
• Thinks about the entire shop, not just their own job
• Can manage multiple jobs and priorities at the same time
• Communicates problems early
• Holds themselves and others accountable
• Leads by example
• Is comfortable making decisions
• Can coach employees without avoiding difficult conversations
• Remains calm when schedules change or unexpected problems arise
• Takes pride in workmanship and doing things correctly
• Understands that leadership means helping the team succeed
• Is willing to get their hands dirty when the shop needs help

Schedule & Physical Requirements

• Full-time, on-site position
• Standard daytime shop hours
• Combination of shop management and hands-on installation work
• Regular standing, bending, kneeling, and working around vehicles
• Ability to safely lift and handle automotive parts, accessories, tools, and equipment

Why This Role Is Different

We are not looking for someone who simply wants to be the best installer in the shop.

We are looking for someone who wants to lead the shop.

You should enjoy solving technical problems and working on vehicles, but you should also take satisfaction in organizing work, developing employees, keeping jobs moving, solving problems before they become delays, and helping the entire team perform at a higher level.

If you are an experienced automotive or electrical technician who has already been functioning as a leader, foreman, or go-to person for your team and are ready for the next step, we would like to hear from you.

Pay: From $25.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Work Location: In person