Used Car Manager (Shirley)
Salary £ Market leading Package...
Shirley
Vacancy listed 02/03/2026
Application deadline 31/08/2026
Details
Established in 1981, we are family business with a stellar reputation for providing exceptional customer service. We take pride in offering a diverse range of quality vehicles and automotive services. Joining this dynamic team means stepping into a fantastic work environment where everyone strives for excellence.

Experience an abundance of support through regular PETER reviews, showcasing our commitment to each team member's success. The management team is dedicated to your success, fostering a workplace where you can flourish and contribute to the company’s continued growth. 

Seize this chance to be a vital member of our team that aims for excellence in everything they do!
 
Role Purpose 
To lead, develop and optimise the Used Car Department to achieve sustained profitability, high stock turn, industry-leading customer experience and full compliance within a modern omnichannel retail environment. 
The role carries full commercial responsibility for used vehicle performance including acquisition, pricing, preparation, digital presentation, finance penetration, compliance and customer retention. 
 
Core Accountabilities 
1. Commercial Performance & Financial Control 
  • Deliver monthly, quarterly and annual used vehicle volume and profit targets. 
  • Own departmental P&L including gross profit, preparation costs, aged stock write-downs and overhead contribution. 
  • Maintain disciplined stock turn aligned to group targets (e.g. 9–10 turns per annum minimum). 
  • Control average preparation cost per unit in line with budget without compromising retail standards. 
  • Maximise Finance & Insurance (F&I) income per unit in line with FCA and Treating Customers Fairly (TCF) principles. 
  • Deliver contribution from: 
  • Retail margin 
  • Finance penetration 
  • Product penetration (SMART, Tyre, Alloy, warranties, service plans etc.) 
  • Part exchange margin 
 
2. Stock Acquisition & Management 
  • Source vehicles through: 
  • Part exchanges 
  • Group transfers 
  • Auctions 
  • Direct purchases 
  • Digital buying platforms 
  • Work collaboratively with Group Used Car Buyer to ensure disciplined acquisition strategy. 
  • Ensure all part-exchanges are appraised digitally using approved appraisal tools with accurate CAP / market data. 
  • Maintain optimum stock profile by: 
  • Age 
  • Mileage 
  • Fuel type (ICE, Hybrid, EV) 
  • Price point segmentation 
  • Re-price stock every 7 days using live market data (e.g. Auto Trader market intelligence). 
  • Maintain aged stock policy (e.g. structured exit plan at 50/90 days). 
 
3. Digital & Omnichannel Excellence 
  • Ensure all vehicles are: 
  • Advertised within 3 days of arrival. 
  • Presented with minimum 28 high-quality images. 
  • Accompanied by a professional walkaround video. 
  • Maintain image-to-stock ratio above agreed benchmark. 
  • Ensure consistent presentation across: 
  • Website 
  • Auto Trader 
  • Manufacturer platform 
  • Third-party portals 
  • Drive online enquiry conversion rates. 
  • Ensure the team operates a fully blended sales journey (online, telephone, in-store, remote). 
  • Monitor response times (target: <15 minutes within business hours). 
 
4. Vehicle Preparation & Time to Market 
  • Ensure: 
  • Standard preparation completed within 5 working days. 
  • Control cosmetic and mechanical standards in line with brand guidelines. 
  • Monitor “days to forecourt” KPI. 
  • Work cross-functionally with Service to prioritise used car preparation pipeline. 
 
5. Customer Experience & Retention 
  • Deliver best-in-class CXM performance. 
  • Maintain high online review scores (Google / Auto Trader). 
  • Manage complaint resolution swiftly and professionally. 
  • Ensure compliance with quality programme standards. 
  • Drive repeat purchase and referral strategies. 
  • Oversee structured follow-up process (7-day, 30-day, 6-month contact). 
 
6. Leadership & People Development 
  • Lead daily performance meetings with clear KPIs. 
  • Conduct structured PETER reviews. 
  • Define individual targets and track performance weekly. 
  • Identify underperformance early and implement corrective action plans. 
  • Develop succession planning within department. 
  • Ensure FCA accreditation and continuous professional development. 
  • Maintain correct staffing levels at all times. 
 
7. Compliance & Governance 
  • Ensure full FCA compliance across all finance transactions. 
  • Embed Consumer Duty Principles. 
  • Ensure adherence to: 
  • Company Handbook 
  • Health & Safety legislation 
  • Trade plate regulations 
  • Data protection (GDPR) 
  • Ensure accurate documentation and audit readiness. 
  • Comply with Group Limits of Authority. 
 
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) 
Financial KPIs 
  • Used car volume vs target 
  • Used car gross profit per unit 
  • Finance penetration rate (%) 
  • Product penetration rate (%) 
  • Preparation cost per unit 
  • Aged stock % (50 / 90+ days) 
  • Stock turn (annualised) 
  • Departmental net profit contribution 
  • Market View / Urban Science review, opportunities, performance. 
Operational KPIs 
  • Days to advertise (≤3 days) 
  • Days to retail readiness (≤5 days standard) 
  • Re-pricing compliance (100% within 7 days) 
  • Image count compliance (≥28 images per unit) 
  • Video compliance (% of stock with video) 
  • Lead response time 
  • Appointment show rate 
  • Conversion rate (enquiry to sale) 
Customer KPIs 
  • CXM score 
  • Google review rating 
  • Auto Trader rating 
  • Repeat purchase rate 
  • Complaint resolution time 
People KPIs 
  • Staff retention 
  • Training completion % 
  • FCA accreditation compliance 
  • Performance review completion (100%) 
 
Strategic Growth Responsibilities 
To support site growth, the Used Car Manager will: 
  • Develop 12-month used car growth plan. 
  • Analyse local market demographics and competitor pricing. 
  • Identify new acquisition channels. 
  • Introduce structured data analysis using management accounts and composite benchmarking. 
  • Leverage digital marketing collaboration to improve stock visibility. 
  • Introduce structured trade disposal strategy to protect margin. 
  • Optimise EV used vehicle strategy in line with market demand. 
  • Improve forecasting accuracy using historical performance data. 
 
Behavioural Competencies (PETER Framework) 
The Used Car Manager must: 
  • Translate strategy into measurable actions. 
  • Lead with energy and accountability. 
  • Make commercially sound decisions based on data. 
  • Drive change where performance gaps exist. 
  • Encourage innovation and continuous improvement. 
  • Build cross-departmental collaboration. 
  • Maintain high ethical standards. 
  • Create a motivated, engaged and performance-driven culture. 
 
Limits of Authority 
As defined within the Peter Cooper Motor Group Limits of Authority documentation. 
 
Success Profile for a Modern Used Car Manager 
The successful candidate will demonstrate: 
  • Strong commercial acumen and financial literacy. 
  • Advanced understanding of used car market analytics. 
  • High digital fluency. 
  • FCA regulatory awareness. 
  • Leadership maturity. 
  • Data-driven decision making. 
  • High level of attention to detail. 
  • Strong negotiation capability (buying & selling). 
  • Customer-centric mindset balanced with profitability focus. 

What can we offer you?
Our Mission: A successful business which exceeds expectations and builds confidence, loyalty and pride in our team and customers
• Fantastic team environment
• Competitive rates of pay
• Uncapped earning potentials
• Company vehicle
• Career development and progression opportunities
• Family run business where you will be a valued employee

Professional Demonstrate expert knowledge and skills
Excellence Be outstanding in all that we do
Trustworthy Be open, honest, decent and fair
Everyone working together for the benefit of our business 
Respectful Treat others in the way that you expect to be treated
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