The posting
Recon Manager
Stanley Subaru | Ellsworth, Maine
At Stanley Subaru, we believe a great customer experience starts long before a vehicle reaches the showroom floor. Our Recon Manager plays a critical role in making sure every vehicle we acquire is inspected, repaired, detailed, and prepared to meet our standards before it is offered for sale.
We are looking for an organized, motivated, and hands-on Recon Manager to oversee the reconditioning process for our inventory. This position will coordinate technicians, detailers, vendors, parts, and other departments to ensure vehicles move through the recon process efficiently, accurately, and on schedule.
If you are someone who enjoys solving problems, keeping things organized, and taking ownership of a process from start to finish, this could be a great opportunity to join the Stanley Subaru team.
Responsibilities
Vehicle Reconditioning
- Oversee the complete reconditioning process for incoming inventory from acquisition through frontline-ready status.
- Inspect vehicles and identify mechanical, cosmetic, safety, and maintenance needs.
- Develop repair and reconditioning plans based on vehicle condition, age, mileage, and expected retail value.
- Prioritize work based on inventory needs, vehicle availability, and expected time to market.
- Monitor vehicles through each stage of the recon process to ensure work is completed correctly and efficiently.
- Coordinate mechanical repairs, body work, glass replacement, tires, alignments, detailing, paint correction, dent repair, and other necessary services.
- Ensure all required safety and maintenance items are addressed before a vehicle is released for sale.
- Conduct final quality-control inspections before vehicles are moved to the sales lot.
- Identify and address issues that may prevent a vehicle from meeting Stanley Subaru's retail standards.
Workflow & Inventory Management
- Maintain accurate records of each vehicle's reconditioning status, repair needs, costs, and completion dates.
- Track vehicles from acquisition through completion and identify bottlenecks that may delay inventory.
- Establish realistic completion timelines and communicate updates to management.
- Work closely with the Used Car Manager, Sales Department, Service Department, Parts Department, and Detail Department.
- Monitor overall recon turnaround time and look for ways to continually improve efficiency.
- Help ensure vehicles are photographed, cleaned, fueled/charged, inspected, and otherwise ready for the sales process when completed.
- Maintain organization of vehicles waiting for inspection, parts, repairs, detailing, or final approval.
Vendors & Outside Services
- Coordinate outside vendors and subcontractors when work cannot be completed in-house.
- Obtain estimates and compare costs when appropriate.
- Schedule outside repairs while minimizing vehicle downtime.
- Inspect completed outside work to ensure it meets Stanley Subaru standards.
- Develop strong working relationships with reliable vendors and service providers.
- Monitor outside repair expenses and help control overall recon costs.
Cost Control
- Review repair estimates and determine whether work is appropriate based on the vehicle's value and retail strategy.
- Monitor recon spending and identify unnecessary or excessive costs.
- Look for opportunities to reduce expenses without compromising safety, quality, or customer satisfaction.
- Maintain accurate documentation of all reconditioning expenses.
- Communicate significant or unexpected repair costs to management before work is authorized when appropriate.
Team Leadership
- Coordinate and prioritize the daily workload for reconditioning staff.
- Provide direction to vehicle washers/detailers and other employees involved in the recon process.
- Help establish clear expectations for quality, productivity, and turnaround time.
- Identify training needs and assist in developing employees.
- Foster a team environment built around accountability, communication, and getting the job done right.
- Lead by example and be willing to jump in and help when needed.
Qualifications
- Previous experience in automotive service, reconditioning, detailing, collision repair, dealership operations, or a related field preferred.
- Previous management, supervisory, or team-lead experience is a plus.
- Strong understanding of vehicle mechanical and cosmetic condition.
- Ability to identify common mechanical, safety, and cosmetic issues.
- Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.
- Ability to manage multiple vehicles and priorities simultaneously.
- Strong communication and problem-solving skills.
- Comfortable working with technicians, vendors, parts personnel, detailers, and dealership management.
- Basic computer skills and ability to learn dealership software and inventory systems.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and meet deadlines.
- Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record.
- Ability to work independently while also being an effective team leader.
What We're Looking For
The right person for this position doesn't necessarily need to have done this exact job before. We are looking for someone who is organized, dependable, mechanically inclined, detail-oriented, and takes ownership of their work.
You should be comfortable making decisions, solving problems, communicating with different departments, and keeping multiple projects moving at the same time. Most importantly, you should take pride in putting quality vehicles on the lot and understand that the condition of our inventory is a direct reflection of our dealership.
Automotive dealership experience is preferred, but we are willing to consider candidates with strong leadership, organizational, automotive, or operations experience who have the right attitude and willingness to learn.
Why Stanley Subaru?
At Stanley Subaru, we are proud of the reputation we have built with our customers and our community. We believe that starts with having a great team and creating an environment where people can take pride in what they do.
As Recon Manager, you will have an important role in the day-to-day operation of our dealership and a direct impact on the quality and availability of our inventory.
If you're ready to take ownership of an important part of the dealership operation and help build an efficient, high-quality recon process, we'd like to hear from you.
Apply today to join the Stanley Subaru team.
