Controller is only one of several dealership management positions available to those who have the drive, education, and leadership skills required to succeed. Each department has its own manager who is responsible for providing his or her team with the information, tools, environment and motivation necessary to achieving their objectives.

The overall responsibility for the reputation, efficiency and profitability of the service department rests with the SERVICE MANAGER. He or she is responsible for controlling costs, building a loyal clientele, maintaining good employee and customer relations, setting and obtaining sales and profit objectives and maintaining service records. This is a demanding management position that may lead to fixed operations director (in charge of the service, parts and bodyshop departments), general manager or even dealer principal.

The PARTS MANAGER hires, trains and supervises all department personnel. Controlling inventory, security, merchandising, displaying and advertising are responsibilities of the parts manager, as well as interfacing with commercial customers. Like all management positions in a dealership, it is a demanding, well-paying job that can lead to the position of general manager or dealer principal.

VEHICLE SALES MANAGERS (i.e. new, pre-owned, fleet, etc.) plan, organize and coordinate the activities of their respective staffs under the direction of a GENERAL SALES MANAGER, who ensures that the dealership meets sales objectives. They are responsible for hiring, training and coaching their staff, as well as planning advertising and promotion strategies.