In Texas, we sure do love our trucks. Like their owners, vehicles also need to be taken off the roads at some point and given some much-needed downtime, service, and maintenance. This is why Texas is among the country’s best states to pursue a career in the automotive industry. Let’s take a look at how to become an automotive service manager in Texas.
If you have hands-on experience in the vehicle repair industry for a while, consider taking the next step — become an automotive service manager.
Automotive Service Manager Job Description
If you want to become an automotive service manager in Texas, you should be familiar with the job description. Automotive service managers are professionals who oversee operations in the service divisions of automotive shops or car dealerships. These jobs entail similar responsibilities as automotive service technicians. The difference comes in the added managerial responsibilities.
This means in addition to inspecting, repairing, and maintaining cars and light trucks, automotive service managers can also handle all things non-grease-related. These duties include:
- Training, hiring, managing, and firing of employees
- Acting as a go-between between their department and the factory representatives
- Creating marketing plans and regulating the departmental expenditure
- Keeping organized and detailed inventory and service records
- Representing the vehicle repair shop when dealing with customers
- Communicating with the owners and executives on their department’s happenings
How to Become an Automotive Service Manager in Texas
To become an automotive service manager, you need to have a set of credentials. These include:
Education requirements
Automotive service managers typically need a certificate in automotive technology or a degree in any correlating field like accounting or customer relations. Some of the courses included in these degree programs include:
- Automotive technology
- Industry software applications
- Customer relations
- Accounting
In addition to the academics, automotive training and a few years of experience as an automotive technician are required. It’s also not unheard of for an automotive sales manager to transition to service management.
Certification requirements
To become an automotive service manager, you’ll also need proper certification. The body responsible for this is the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). After completing an automotive service training program approved by ASE, you’ll pass oral, written, and practical examinations.
Skill requirements
Being adequately educated and certified isn’t all that’s required of an service manager. There are a couple of traits potential employers look for. These are:
- Relevant mechanical and technical skills
- A keen troubleshooting mind that can make sense of uncommon diagnoses
- Stamina to spend long periods on their feet
- A business-savvy disposition
- Accounting skills for the profitable running of the department
- Necessary communication skills to work with upper management, suppliers, employees, and customers
- Have a strong marketing acumen to establish a faithful clientele
Automotive Service Manager Job Outlook and Salary in Texas
CareerOneStop doesn’t offer job outlook and salary information for service managers, however, it does offer insights and information for related roles, including automotive service technicians and mechanics.
The employment projection for automotive service technicians in Texas is 17 percent by 2026. This is speedier than all occupations’ average. The competition will still be stiff as the automotive industry continues to close dealerships and cut costs; advancements in automotive technology are another factor increasing this competition.
So How Much Does an Automotive Service Manager Make in Texas?
Texas’s automotive service technicians earn an annual salary in the range of $35,390 to $62,940. As a manager, you can expect to make as much or more.
Having seen what it takes to make it in this business if you’re confident about becoming an automotive service manager, then receiving training as an automotive service technician is a good place to start. Here you will establish a steadfast background in an automotive trade school plus hands-on experience to help you set up a foundation for your future. Learn more about Southern Career Institute’s nine-week automotive service technician training.
This article was published on: 02/1/21 12:01 PM
* SCI does not guarantee employment or a starting salary upon graduation, completion, or withdrawal from SCI. As an accredited post-secondary institution, SCI has various federal financial assistance programs available for students who qualify and are enrolled in SCI programs. This does not apply to seminar students.
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