General Manager / Dealer Principal

Salary/rate:£50,000 - £70,000

Type of work desired:Permanent

Desired work region:Greater Manchester

Relocation possible:Yes

Reason for leaving:Looking for a new Challenge

References on file:8673

Sector:General Manager/Dealer Principal

Post Date:December 16, 2025

Ref:8673

Request full CV Get Profiles by Email

Scroll

Meet Our Recruiter

Ian Bowker

Director

ian@cb-recruitment.co.uk

About Profile

General Manager / Dealer Principal

This candidate is a highly experienced General Manager with nearly three decades in the motor trade, operating at senior leadership level across multi-franchise, multi-site dealership environments. They have full responsibility for large-scale operations, including teams of over 120 staff and annual turnover in excess of £70m.

Their background includes extensive experience as both a General Manager and Franchise Manager, with strong manufacturer relationships and a proven ability to deliver consistent financial performance, KPI results and customer satisfaction across sales and aftersales operations. Known for their people-focused leadership style, attention to detail and commercial mindset, they are confident managing complex dealership structures while driving growth and stability.

They bring a very stable career history, deep operational knowledge and a strong track record of improving performance through clear structure, accountability and team development.

Key Experience & Strengths

Senior General Manager / Dealer Principal level experience
Multi-site and multi-franchise dealership leadership
Brands worked with include Vauxhall, Mazda, MG and Kia
Managed teams of 120+ employees
Full P&L responsibility with turnover of £70m+
Former Franchise Manager with hands-on operational control
Strong manufacturer relationships and dealer network involvement
Proven delivery of KPIs, profitability and customer satisfaction
Stable and consistent career history

What They’re Looking For

General Manager or Dealer Principal role
Senior leadership position within an established dealer group

Salary Expectations

£50,000 – £70,000 basic salary
Bonus expectations of £20,000+

Availability

Available to start immediately

This candidate would be an excellent appointment for a dealer group seeking a commercially strong, people-led General Manager or Dealer Principal with a proven record of delivering results, building high-performing teams and maintaining strong manufacturer partnerships.

motor trade jobs, automotive jobs, motor trade recruitment, automotive recruitment, general manager motor trade, dealer principal jobs

Request full CV Get Profiles by Email

More candidates I am representing

View All

SMART Repair

£35,000 – £42,000 basic salary

10+ years’ SMART repair and paint experience SMART repair and cosmetic vehicle repairs Vehicle paint spraying and refinishing Minor dent and body panel repairs Polishing and vehicle detailing Accident repair centre experience Level 3 NVQ in Vehicle Refinishing Customer-facing workshop experience Workshop opening and closing responsibilities Strong attention to detail Excellent communication and teamwork skills Stable career history within automotive repair Full UK driving licence

Learn More

SMART Repair (Manager)

£40,000 – £45,000 basic salary

15+ years’ SMART repair and bodyshop experience SMART Repair Manager and Bodyshop Controller experience Workshop and technician management Work allocation and productivity control Kerridge job card creation and invoicing Repair estimating and Audatex exposure Stock ordering and stock control Quality control and workshop standards Insurance assessment support Paint spraying and colour matching Alloy wheel and cosmetic vehicle repairs Customer service and sales support Full UK driving licence

Learn More

SMART Repair Technician

£40,000+ basic salary

SMART Repair Technician experience Senior Paint Technician background Cosmetic vehicle repair expertise Bumper scuffs, scratches and minor dent repairs Alloy wheel refurbishment Vehicle preparation and paint refinement Sanding, masking, spraying and polishing Customer-facing and estimating experience Workshop booking and job management Bookkeeping and accounts handling Strong attention to detail and quality standards Reliable and professional approach Full UK driving licence

Learn More

SMART Repair

£37,000 – £40,000 basic salary

SMART repair and cosmetic repair experience Paint preparation and vehicle refinishing Paint mixing and colour processing Masking, sanding and polishing Primer, filler and paint application Alloy wheel and bumper repair exposure Production and bodyshop environment experience High-volume automotive repair operations Vehicle preparation and finishing work Strong attention to detail and quality standards Reliable and hardworking approach Workshop health and safety awareness Full UK driving licence

Learn More