Assistant Manager jobs in Howe Sound, BC

North Shore Kia | North Vancouver, BC

Full-Time | $105,000–$120,000+ Expected Annual Earnings | Performance Incentives | Benefits | Career Advancement

Take the Next Step in Your Automotive Career

North Shore Kia is looking for an experienced automotive professional to join our leadership team as Assistant Service Manager.

Our Fixed Operations department has experienced significant and sustained growth, and we're looking for someone who wants to help us continue that momentum.

Over the past two years, our hours per repair order have increased approximately 40%, while our After-Sales Service Index (ASSI) has consistently performed above Kia Canada's national average. Our customer base continues to expand, and we regularly welcome clients travelling from throughout the North Shore as well as Squamish, Whistler, Pemberton, the Sunshine Coast and Gulf Islands.

We're proud of what our team has accomplished — and we're looking for the right person to help us build on it.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Service Advisor, Assistant Service Manager or automotive Fixed Operations professional who is ready to take the next step in their career.

About North Shore Kia

North Shore Kia is part of the Dick Irwin Group Ltd., a family-owned and operated dealer group with more than 54 years in the automotive industry.

We're proud to have many employees who have built careers with the Irwin Group spanning decades. We believe in developing our people, recognizing strong performance and creating opportunities for employees who want to grow within the organization.

At North Shore Kia, we believe the strongest departments are built through teamwork, communication and mutual support.

Our advisors, technicians, Parts team, BDC and management work together toward shared goals. When the department gets busy, we support one another. When challenges arise, we solve them together. And when the team succeeds, we celebrate those successes together.

We're looking for an Assistant Service Manager who shares that philosophy.

About the Role

As Assistant Service Manager, you'll work alongside our Service Advisors on the front line while supporting the Service Manager in the day-to-day leadership and continued development of the department.

This is very much a hands-on leadership position.

Our Assistant Service Manager works directly with our customers, Service Advisors and BDC throughout the day, helping ensure that the strong processes we've developed are consistently followed and that our customers receive the level of service they expect from North Shore Kia.

We believe effective leadership starts with leading by example. You'll be actively involved in the customer experience, assisting advisors with repair orders and customer concerns, supporting communication between departments, helping manage workflow and stepping in wherever your experience and leadership can help the team succeed.

You'll also work closely with the Service Manager to identify opportunities to strengthen our processes, develop our people and continue improving the performance of the department.

We're looking for someone who can see the bigger picture while remaining engaged in the day-to-day operation — someone who understands that great leadership isn't about managing from the sidelines, but about working alongside the team and setting the standard through their own actions.

What You'll DoLead & Support From the Front

• Work alongside our Service Advisors on the front line, actively participating in the day-to-day customer experience
• Support the Service Manager in the daily leadership and operation of the Service Department
• Lead by example in customer communication, organization, follow-up and process adherence
• Serve as an accessible resource for Service Advisors throughout the day
• Work directly with our Service BDC to ensure appointment scheduling, customer communication and established processes are followed consistently
• Help maintain strong communication between the BDC, Service Advisors, technicians, Parts and management
• Step in to assist the team with challenging customer write-ups, repair orders, follow-up and other front-line responsibilities when required
• Help ensure the processes that have contributed to our department's success remain consistent as we continue to grow

Support & Develop Our Team

• Provide day-to-day guidance, coaching and support to Service Advisors
• Help advisors manage challenging situations and complex repair orders
• Encourage accountability while creating an environment where employees feel comfortable asking for support
• Help maintain a positive, professional and collaborative working environment
• Support onboarding, training and development of Service Department employees
• Identify opportunities for individual and team development
• Reinforce dealership standards and processes through coaching and example
• Recognize successes and help create an environment where strong performance is acknowledged

Support Our Customers

• Work directly with customers throughout the service process
• Help ensure every customer receives a professional, transparent and welcoming service experience
• Assist with escalated customer concerns and work toward fair, practical resolutions
• Build relationships with customers and help strengthen long-term retention
• Ensure customer commitments and follow-ups are completed
• Support advisors in communicating repair recommendations, timelines and expectations clearly
• Help maintain and improve our strong customer satisfaction performance

Support Department Operations

• Assist the Service Manager with daily department operations and workflow
• Monitor repair-order progress and help identify delays or communication gaps
• Work collaboratively with the Shop Foreman, technicians and Parts Department to maintain efficient workflow
• Review repair orders for accuracy, completeness and proper documentation
• Help ensure manufacturer policies, warranty requirements and dealership processes are followed
• Assist with scheduling, capacity planning and workload management
• Monitor department performance and help identify opportunities for improvement
• Support Kia Canada programs, processes and performance objectives
• Assist with departmental reporting and performance tracking
• Assume additional Service Manager responsibilities when required

Who We're Looking For

Our ideal candidate is a calm, organized and approachable leader who takes ownership of their responsibilities and genuinely enjoys helping a team succeed.

You understand that leadership isn't simply about directing people — it's about being someone your team can rely on and demonstrating the standards you expect from others.

North Shore Kia is a busy and growing dealership, and our team-forward approach means no one is expected to manage every challenge alone. You'll have the support of the Service Manager, advisors, BDC, technicians, Parts team and dealership leadership, and we'll count on you to provide that same support in return.

You're comfortable working directly with customers and equally comfortable helping an advisor work through a challenging situation. You can prioritize effectively, follow through on commitments and remain composed when several things require attention at once.

You're comfortable making decisions when necessary, but you're equally comfortable collaborating with others, listening to different perspectives and asking questions when appropriate.

Most importantly, you take pride in creating an environment where employees enjoy coming to work, customers feel looked after, processes are followed consistently, and everyone understands that we're working toward the same goal.

Ideally, You Bring

• Previous automotive dealership experience is required
• Previous experience as a Service Advisor, Assistant Service Manager or Service Manager
• Strong understanding of dealership Fixed Operations
• CDK experience is strongly preferred
• Demonstrated leadership ability or a strong desire to move into automotive management
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong organizational and time-management abilities
• Experience handling customer concerns and resolving challenging situations
• Strong understanding of automotive maintenance and repair processes
• Ability to communicate effectively with customers, technicians, advisors, BDC and other departments
• Strong attention to detail and follow-through
• A collaborative, team-first approach
• A willingness to remain actively involved in front-line operations
• Sound judgement and the ability to make decisions when required
• A positive, professional and approachable attitude
• A genuine desire to continue learning and developing as a leader
• Valid BC Driver's Licence

Previous Kia experience is an asset but is not required. We're happy to invest in manufacturer-specific training for the right person.

Compensation & BenefitsExpected Annual Earnings: $105,000–$120,000+

North Shore Kia offers a competitive compensation package with performance-based earning opportunities designed to reward both individual contribution and the continued success of our Service Department.

Our continued Fixed Operations growth provides strong earning potential for a motivated leader who wants to contribute to — and share in — the success of the department.

Full details of the compensation structure will be discussed with qualified candidates during the interview process.

Our benefits and employee programs include:

• Extended health care
• Dental care
• Paid time off
• Performance-based compensation and bonus opportunities
• Employee discounts on Parts and Service
• Paid manufacturer training and professional development
• Opportunities to develop your leadership and management skills
• Company events and team celebrations
• Genuine opportunities for advancement within North Shore Kia and the Dick Irwin Group

Why Join North Shore Kia?

This isn't simply an opportunity to change dealerships.

For the right candidate, it's an opportunity to move forward in your career.

You'll be joining an established Fixed Operations team at a dealership experiencing significant growth, backed by a family-owned automotive group with more than five decades of history.

We're particularly interested in hearing from experienced Service Advisors who have developed a strong track record and are ready for their first opportunity in dealership management, as well as established Assistant Service Managers looking for a dealership where they can continue developing their careers.

We value automotive experience, but we're equally interested in leadership potential, accountability, emotional maturity, organization and the ability to bring people together.

If you're currently a successful Service Advisor who finds yourself naturally helping your coworkers, solving problems, taking ownership when something needs attention and looking for ways to make the department better, you may already have many of the qualities we're looking for in our next Assistant Service Manager.

Help Us Build What's Next

North Shore Kia has experienced tremendous growth, but we're not interested in growth at the expense of our employees or our customers.

We want to continue building a Service Department where great people have the tools and support to do great work.

We're looking for an Assistant Service Manager who wants to play an active role in that process — someone who will work alongside our team, support our employees, advocate for our customers, reinforce our processes and take ownership of their responsibilities while working with the Service Manager to continuously improve the department.

If you're an experienced automotive professional who enjoys helping others succeed and you're ready to take the next step in your Fixed Operations career, we'd love to meet you.

Job Type: Full-time
Expected Annual Earnings: $105,000–$120,000+
Location: North Vancouver, BC V7P 1A4
Work Location: In person

Applicants must be able to reliably commute to North Vancouver or relocate prior to starting.

Apply today and continue building your career with North Shore Kia and the Dick Irwin Group.

We appreciate all applications; however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Pay: $105,000.00-$120,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company events
• Dental care
• Disability insurance
• Extended health care
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Store discount
• Vision care

Work Location: In person