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It is our mission at Community Automotive to delight our customers with automotive expertise, excellent service, and thorough communication as we partner with them in the caring of their automotive related needs. Our auto repair shop in Grand Rapids, Michigan, provides the best care drivers can find in the area! Honesty, integrity, and respect will drive our relationships with our customers and employees and permeate all we do. Established in 1975. Community Automotive Repair (CAR) was founded out of a faith-based group formerly referred to as "The Community” in Grand Rapids, MI. Dick Zaagman (owner) began in the early 70s repairing vehicles owned by members of The Community. Members of this group eventually became the first employees of CAR, motivated specifically by a collective agreement to trade their time for minimum wages so most business profits could be poured back into the local neighborhood serving families with the greatest needs. After leaving, The Community, CAR transformed a backyard garage model into what would become the acquisition of a small Unocal 76 service station, later it grew to 8 bays and certified Bosch Auto Service repair shop. We now operate 12 bays. We specialize in imports and performance vehicles. We are a dealership alternative and consider ourselves leading experts in various makes such as: Audi, Volkswagen, BMW, Porsche, Mercedes, Jaguar, Land Rover, Subaru, Honda, and Toyota. We also offer services for exotic cars and classics. With Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Hybrids starting to increase in production in the mid-2000s, we have started to prepare for servicing these types of vehicles too. We are NOT exclusively a foreign service repair shop; domestic counterparts are welcome.
Feel free to contact us on the form below if you have any questions. Even if you don't see an open position above, we're always looking to hear from good people.
It is our mission at Community Automotive to delight our customers with automotive expertise, excellent service, and thorough communication as we partner with them in the caring of their automotive related needs. Our auto repair shop in Grand Rapids, Michigan, provides the best care drivers can find in the area! Honesty, integrity, and respect will drive our relationships with our customers and employees and permeate all we do. Established in 1975. Community Automotive Repair (CAR) was founded out of a faith-based group formerly referred to as "The Community” in Grand Rapids, MI. Dick Zaagman (owner) began in the early 70s repairing vehicles owned by members of The Community. Members of this group eventually became the first employees of CAR, motivated specifically by a collective agreement to trade their time for minimum wages so most business profits could be poured back into the local neighborhood serving families with the greatest needs. After leaving, The Community, CAR transformed a backyard garage model into what would become the acquisition of a small Unocal 76 service station, later it grew to 8 bays and certified Bosch Auto Service repair shop. We now operate 12 bays. We specialize in imports and performance vehicles. We are a dealership alternative and consider ourselves leading experts in various makes such as: Audi, Volkswagen, BMW, Porsche, Mercedes, Jaguar, Land Rover, Subaru, Honda, and Toyota. We also offer services for exotic cars and classics. With Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Hybrids starting to increase in production in the mid-2000s, we have started to prepare for servicing these types of vehicles too. We are NOT exclusively a foreign service repair shop; domestic counterparts are welcome.
Our shop is very comfortable, heated, air conditioned, and cleaned twice a week.
Our team consists of: - 7 Technicians - 1 Maintenance Technician - 2 part-time Porters - 2 Service Advisors - 1 Service Manager - 1 Bookkeeper - 1 Business Manager - 1 President
Open Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 5:30pm (technicians schedule is 7:30am - 5:00pm). We enjoy our weekends with family, friends, hobbies, outdoors, and other relaxing activities.
Too many to list, we're loaded!
Open room with brilliant natural light coming in from the windows. Additional small break room to prepare food and store items. We have a Kurig and provide a variety of coffee, tea, and hot chocolate free for employees; microwave, microwave oven, toaster, fridge/freezer, and utensils all provided.
12 bays.
We're a very busy shop, 344 average monthly repair orders.
Service advisors order, handle, and distribute parts to technician shelves. Technicians often request certain parts and state preferences.
Our employees may use our shop for their own vehicle repairs and immediate family outside of normal business hours or weekends. Shop may not be used to run your own side business.
We care about mother nature and purposefully have environmentally friendly design and actions. - Use of recycled oil to heat building. - Natural lighting, lots of windows and garage doors are glass. - White roof membrane to reduce urban heat island effect. - Scrap metal recycling. - Tire recycling. - Planter boxes outside. - Follow all EPA guidelines.
In our industry it is important that we strive to continuously improve our ability and knowledge while preparing for the future. We provide many opportunities and encourage our team to continually improve through educational experiences, classes, seminars, video training, books, etc. We cover all pre-approved training at 100% of the cost and we pay you to attend training. Additionally, we award bonuses to teammates that complete 40 hours or greater of training per year.
- ASE certification support. - Apprenticeship program in partnership with NAPA AutoCare Solutions. - Elite Business Coaching - classes, videos, articles, etc. for continual growth and leadership training. - Multiple subscriptions and partnerships available to employees for continual ed.
Daily billed hours tracking in real time. Weekly metrics provided for performance. Quarterly feedback and goals progress review.
General industry safety training and on-going monthly safety topics cover relevant safety information.
We have one Lead Technician that helps during orientation and on-going training. Other technicians offer advise and help as needed. We are a team oriented shop so everyone helps each other and shares their strengths with each other.
We service our community with a strong emphasis on a local non-profit called Inter City Christian Foundation (ICCF). We service their fleet of vehicles and financially donate to their organization. We attend a once a year dinner and fundraiser. We support Local First, an organization focused on increasing business and purchasing from local nearby businesses.
We have been involved with local tech schools and high schools as mentors, guest speakers, teachers, and provide opportunities for internships.
We see our shop growing and improving in the following areas: 1. Space and amenities 2. Customer Service (creating an uncommon and unforgettable customer experience) 3. Increased community support.
Yes, about 15-30 minutes.
Yes
Tour of shop, introduction to some of the team, sit-down interview with 2-3 individuals. Sometimes we invite applicants to work a 2-4 hours shift to get a general feeling of the work environment and to provide us the chance to assess the candidates capabilities and competencies.
Criminal background checks, Motor Vehicle Record checks, DiSC Personality Profiles, and pre-employment drug screen.
Yes, one written self-assessment and possible on-site work assessment.
Depends on how many candidates we have in our interview process, but often 1-2 days.
Depends, could be 1-5 days or a couple weeks. We prefer to work rapidly and quickly on hiring the right fit individual.
Base wage: $45,000 - $50,000 annual salary. Starting wage is based on equivalent experience. Commission: $3.25 per hour sold with minimum of 80 hours sold during the pay week. Service advisor must sell 80 hours minimum per week to be eligible for commission for that pay week. Each pay week starts on Monday and ends Sunday. However we do not have weekend hours so often selling happens between Monday – Friday. Below is a sample chart of hours sold and commission per hours sold.
- Our pay and benefits rock! - Flat rate pay with increasing tiers based on hours billed per week. - Rolling four week billed hours bonuses with annual potential of $7,800. - Bi-weekly payroll.
| Health Insurance | Offered | Your health and the health of your significant others is important to us. That is why we offer a reliable health insurance plan – Priority Health HMO a. Single plan monthly premium: $459.35, Employee pays $106.00 per check b. Double plan monthly premium: $1,075.55, Employee pays $254.40, per check c. Family plan monthly premium: $1,299.64, Employee pays $307.41, per check d. 8/1 renewal, non-aggregate deductible. e. Eligibility Waiting Period: First day after 90 days. Priority Health is one of the leading health insurance providers in the greater Grand Rapids area. Plan contract supersedes any descriptions set forth here. |
| Dental Insurance | Offered | We work with an independent insurance agent that coordinates group rates for us on dental insurance. This benefit is supplied to employees as an elective benefit. Employees pay for the benefit premium through payroll deduction. |
| Vision Insurance | Offered | We work with an independent insurance agent that coordinates our vision insurance. This benefit is supplied to employees as an elective benefit as a rider option with dental. Employees pay for the benefit premium through payroll deduction. |
| Retirement Plan | Offered | It is good to save for the future, so we provide an IRA (traditional and ROTH) Retirement Plan with Safe Harbor Match, 100% match on first 3% and 50% match on anything over 3% up to 5%. Waiting period is one year of employment. 100% vested, no vesting schedule. |
| Sick Leave | Offered | Unpaid sick leave is offered case by case. |
| Vacation | Offered | Excellent paid vacation 5 -15 days. Upon hire, vacation days provided are based on previous years equivalent experience. Paid vacation is equivalent to 8 hours of pay per day and paid at average hourly rate. |
| Paid Holidays | Offered | Six paid holidays: New Years, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. |
| ST / LT Disability | Offered | We offer a supplemental insurance with Colonial Life that employees may elect. This benefit is provided at a group rate, employee pays premium through payroll deduction. Waiting period is 90 days. |
| Life Insurance | Offered | We offer a supplemental insurance with Colonial Life that employees may elect. This benefit is provided at a group rate, employee pays premium through payroll deduction. Waiting period is 90 days. |
| Uniforms | Offered | We present ourselves professionally and make it easy for customers to know who works at Community Automotive so we provide uniforms and a weekly service to laundry your uniforms. We make this easy by having a provider pick up your laundry at work and this in turn keeps your home clean and your washer/dryer free from oily and grimy uniforms. Technicians share uniform cost at 50% bi-weekly deduction through payroll |
| Other | Offered | In our industry it is important that we strive to continuously improve our ability and knowledge while preparing for the future. We provide many opportunities and encourage our team to continually improve through educational experiences, classes, seminars, video training, books, etc. We cover all pre-approved training at 100% of the cost and we pay you to attend training. Additionally, we award bonuses to teammates that complete 40 hours or greater of training per year. Tool Coverage – Comprehensive general liability insurance in case of fire, theft, etc. |
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Community Automotive exists to serve our community. As a Service Advisor you play an important role in meeting the needs and desires of our community, our team, and customers. Exceptional opportunities exist in your career and personal goals at Community Automotive and we hope that you make the best of them. Values demonstrated by our Service Advisors are honored as they display honesty, integrity, and respect. They have clear communication, provide exceptional service, and treat all people with equal respect. They work directly with customers and our technicians to deliver timely and accurate services that meet our customers automotive repair and service needs. Primary Responsibilities ● You must always keep the customers best interest in mind while remembering we are the professionals hired by them to identify and repair their vehicles problems. You must sell our services properly; experience, expertise, equipment, and knowledge. You must also make sure we have delivered what was sold, and that the customer is well aware of what they are paying for and why. ● You are the primary salesperson and service specialist. You must understand our Industry to be able to instill confidence in our technical ability and competence. This must always portray a professional appearance and attitude, both in person and on the telephone. This is inclusive of all contacts; customers, employees, vendors, outside sales, etc. ● Identify the customers’ problems and expectations, then effectively document and communicate all information to the technician. ● Integrate between the customers, technicians, and vendors to service vehicles in a timely and organized fashion. ● Organize services and repairs to maximize our efficiency. ● Communicate and prioritize with other Service Advisors regarding customer care and scheduling vehicle repairs. ● Rapidly solve problems or report concerns or issues to manager so as a team we’re able to quickly act. ● Provide customer service through quality control and solving problems. ● Address and resolve customer concerns and complaints. Skills and Knowledge ● Excellent people skills are a must. You are the primary contact for customers, vendors, and public. Customer satisfaction will depend on your people skills. ● Communicates effectively with customers. ● Demonstrates positive and open behavior, attitude, and personality. ● Enthusiastically works with the public and able to de-escalates stressful situations. ● Works well with minimal supervision. ● Builds trust with teammates, vendors, and customers. ● Always willing to learn new skills through continual education and continual improvement of abilities and capabilities. ● Operates well in a fast pace environment. ● Must be enthusiastic and persuasive. ● Excellent listening skills are a critical component of success. ● Excellent organizational skills; able to start and stop projects and stay on task while completing short-term and long-term deadlines. ● The ability to problem solve is critical in this position. You need to be able to analyze facts and make a decision. Able to solve complex problems and think critically. Qualifications ● Must have High School diploma. ● Minimum of 4 years experience in the automotive industry, customer relations, or equivalent experience. ● General understanding of automotive industry and components. ● Formal Automotive Service Advisor Training. ● Valid Michigan Driver’s License. ● No more than 2 MINOR moving violations in the last 3 years. ● No MAJOR violations in the last 5 years. ● Proficient with Microsoft Suite and general use of computers. ● Strong math skills and understands cost, price, mark-ups, and profit margins. ● Working knowledge of office equipment and multi-line phone system. ● Able to type 40 words per minute. ● Able to lift 40 pounds. Behavior ● Each part of your work is extremely important and must be completed with accuracy, professionalism, pride and integrity. ● Foresight and thought must be applied to each function, procedure, or requirement of the job. ● All employees must communicate openly and effectively, particularly any and all concerns and problems with each other and/or management. ● Behavior and attitudes must be open and positive at all times, we are a growth mindset company. ● Promote positive morale in the office and shop. ● Good customer skills, manners, tact, polite language and gestures (even under pressure). Schedule Our business hours are Monday through Friday 7am – 5:30pm. This position requires dedication and the flexibility to work long hours when needed to meet customer demand. Often opening and closing time is busy with customers dropping off and picking up vehicles. Service Advisors should be available at the front counter during these hours to best service customers. Occasionally there is training and meetings that Service Advisors must attend outside of the normal business hours and occasionally weekend hours are required. Must attend shop meetings as applicable. Goals & Obligations Must have an updated goals & obligations statement each quarter. This must define the employee’s personal & work goals and obligations. Must explain methods or plan they will follow to achieve each of these goals or objectives. All written goals need to be SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely (due date). ● Target an average of 3 billable hours per RO and $600 or more total sale per Repair Order. ● Maintain an average overall gross profit of at least 60%. Training Must be willing to attend self-improvement seminars and job specific training as necessary to continually improve and grow in job skills, with a recommended minimum 40 hours per year. General Duties ● Maintain cleanliness in office and reception area in a clean orderly fashion. You may at times need to empty trash, clean and stock customer bathroom, and vacuum, mop, dust, and polish office area. ● Facilitate special customer needs such as: Vehicle or customer pickup or delivery, towing arrangements, rental car arrangements, provide customers with paperwork and general information, ● Open and prepare the shop for business operations in the morning by proper time. Close the shop and operations at the appropriate times as necessary. Specific Duties ● Schedule customer appointments for diagnosis, repair, additional sales, and carry-overs. ● Coordinates technician assignments and repair order priorities. Bays and technicians kept busy and productive with work, make sure technicians are available to work on vehicles scheduled. ● Document customer concern, cause & correction. ● Create and completely fill out all Repair Orders (ROs). ● Completely and correctly document customer invoices. ● Continually update information and status on repair orders. ● Create estimates for repair orders, and update and properly document any changes or required information. ● Properly document all approvals per the Michigan Motor Vehicle Repair Act, and secure approval or authorization of all repair orders and validate payment. ● Follow up and follow through with repair order deadlines and customer commitments. Do what we say we will do. ● Track status of repair orders in process, monitor timely arrival of parts. ● Purchases parts needed for the repair service, including inventoried parts and maintaining inventory. ● Handle all parts credits and returns: cores, warranties and unused new parts. Must ensure proper credit invoice is received from the supplier. Maintain returned parts ledger. ● Answer telephones by the third ring and be courteous. ● Greet all customers promptly and courteously, even when currently involved with someone else. ● Attend and actively participate in meetings. ● Park and lock all vehicles (unless customer specifies to leave unlocked) in an orderly fashion in designated areas. ● Research customer history on all appointments for additional service, recommended repairs or problem trends. ● Send reminder notices for routine maintenance and other follow up programs. ● Send reminder letters for recommended repairs from prior repair orders. ● Send Thank you cards to all new customers, large purchases and to people that refer new customers.
