Chris Graham
Vancouver,BC
Summary
Seek an executive position that will provide a challenging opportunity to contribute to a company’s efficiency, organization, growth, and profitability.
General Manager with experience in building and leading integrated sales, ensuring profitability and customer retention by recruiting qualified sales personnel; assuming responsibility for appraising, strategic planning, purchasing, reconditioning, displaying, and merchandising the new and used vehicle inventory.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
General Manager
Mercedes Benz North Vancouver
02.2019 - Current
- Increased overall company efficiency by streamlining operations and implementing innovative managerial strategies.
- Drove year-over-year business growth while leading operations, strategic vision, and long-range planning.
- Monitored financial performance, set budgets and controlled expenses to provide financial stability and long-term organizational growth.
- Recruited, hired, and trained initial personnel, working to establish key internal functions and outline scope of positions for new employees.
- Cultivated and strengthened lasting client relationships using strong issue resolution and dynamic communication skills.
- Implemented business strategies, increasing revenue, and effectively targeting new markets.
- Managed a diverse team of professionals, fostering a positive work environment and high employee satisfaction.
- Updated and resolved incidents and managed accessorial charges objectively while maximizing profit.
- Maximized efficiency by coaching and mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices, company procedures, and technology systems.
- Assisted in recruiting, hiring and training of team members.
- Supervised creation of exciting merchandise displays to catch attention of store customers.
- Reduced budgetary expenditures by effectively negotiating contracts for more advantageous terms.
- Cultivated strong relationships with clients, vendors, and partners to ensure long-term success and loyalty.
- Developed and executed strategic plans for business growth and expansion, resulting in increased market share.
- Interacted well with customers to build connections and nurture relationships.
- Developed and maintained relationships with customers and suppliers through account development.
- Negotiated price and service with customers and vendors to decrease expenses and increase profit.
- Established comprehensive employee training programs to develop skills, improve productivity, and maintain compliance with industry regulations.
- Reported issues to higher management with great detail.
- Identified and qualified customer needs and negotiated and closed profitable projects with high success rate.
- Managed budget implementations, employee evaluations, and contract details.
- Managed budget implementations, employee reviews, training, schedules, and contract negotiations.
- Cultivated interpersonal skills by building positive relationships with others.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Identified issues, analyzed information and provided solutions to problems.
- Provided professional services and support in a dynamic work environment.
- Organized and detail-oriented with a strong work ethic.
- Resolved problems, improved operations and provided exceptional service.
- Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.
General Manager
Jim Pattison Toyota
02.2015 - 02.2019
- Increased overall company efficiency by streamlining operations and implementing innovative managerial strategies.
- Drove year-over-year business growth while leading operations, strategic vision, and long-range planning.
- Provided thoughtful guidance to personnel in navigating and resolving snags in productivity.
- Monitored financial performance, set budgets and controlled expenses to provide financial stability and long-term organizational growth.
- Recruited, hired, and trained initial personnel, working to establish key internal functions and outline scope of positions for new organization.
- Cultivated and strengthened lasting client relationships using strong issue resolution and dynamic communication skills.
- Implemented business strategies, increasing revenue, and effectively targeting new markets.
- Scheduled employees for shifts, taking into account customer traffic and employee strengths.
- Implemented effective cost-saving measures to reduce overhead expenses without compromising quality or service.
- Tracked employee attendance and punctuality, addressing repeat problems quickly to prevent long-term habits.
- Handled problematic customers and clients to assist lower-level employees and maintain excellent customer service.
- Drove the successful execution of numerous large-scale events/promotions while closely managing costs/budgetary constraints associated with event planning/management activities.
- Managed a diverse team of professionals, fostering a positive work environment and high employee satisfaction.
- Maximized efficiency by coaching and mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices, company procedures, and technology systems.
- Supervised creation of exciting merchandise displays to catch attention of store customers.
- Assisted in recruiting, hiring and training of team members.
General Sales Manager
Jim Pattison Lexus & Jim Pattison Cars Unlimited
03.2007 - 01.2014
- Establish goals and sales objectives, gross, and key expenses on a monthly and annual basis
- Hire, motivate, mentor, and monitor the performance of all vehicle product advisors
- Prepare and administer an annual operating forecast and budget for the new/used vehicle sales department
- Direct and schedule the activities of all sales employees, ensuring proper staffing at all times
- Assist individual product advisors in setting aggressive yet realistic monthly goals and objectives and provide them with the support and training to meet these goals
- Ensure proper follow up of all potential guests by developing, implementing, and monitoring a sales control system (Contact Management)
- Develop, implement, and monitor a follow-up system for buyers (Contact Management)
- Maintain vehicle inventory for both new and used units
- Monitor customer satisfaction and experience, lost sales, and dealership sales history and conduct local market analyses to determine which vehicles to stock
- Conduct weekly sales training meetings
- Establish and enforce product-knowledge standards by testing
- Oversee the efforts of all sales staff to enhance the image and customer satisfaction ratings of the dealership
- Ensure that all product advisors are informed of all new inventory and current advertising efforts, including special sales
- Appraise all incoming used vehicles
- Ensure that cosmetic and mechanical reconditioning are performed within the dealership's cost and time limitations
- Plan and control the display of new and used vehicles
- Establish and control wholesaling activities with brokers and other dealers
- Establish delivery procedures and ensure that delivery includes an introduction to the service department and scheduling of the first service appointment
- Assist in the development of advertising campaigns and other promotions in the community
- Keep abreast of auto auction activity and prices and attend auctions on a regular basis
- Approve all paperwork from auctions and provide proper documentation to the office for purchases
- Coordinate schedule for anticipated delivery of purchases
- Check paper work and documentation in the business office, on a daily basis
- Oversee documentation, customer service, credit applications, delivery schedules, customer leasing and financing, of two business managers.
Assistant Sales Manager
Jim Pattison Lexus
06.2006 - 03.2007
- Established personal income goals that are consistent with dealership standards of productivity, and devise a strategy to meet those goals
- Reported to the General Sales Manager regarding objectives, planned activities, reviews and analyses
- Determined each customer's vehicle needs by asking questions and listening
- Kept abreast of incoming inventory, features, and accessories
- Demonstrated and vehicle test drives
- Delivered vehicles to customers
- The delivery process ensured that the customer understood the vehicle's operating features, warranty and paperwork, which lays the foundation for customer loyalty
- Worked with the service department and body shop to ensure that vehicles are reconditioned as expected and on schedule
- Attended weekly sales meetings
- Performed vehicle product knowledge through walk-around testing
- Maintained a prospect development system which includes a group of prospect locators and sales associates
- Managed and updated Contact Management, a client database for tracking purchasers, prospect and referrals
- Managed used vehicle department.
Product Advisor
Jim Pattison Lexus
04.2005 - 06.2006
- Assumed responsibility for the entire sales process, including: Getting to know the client and assess their needs through in-depth interviews
- Achieved unit sales targets for new and pre-owned vehicles and related products and services from retail clients
- Maintained comprehensive knowledge of pricing and specifications of competitive vehicles to provide clients with informative comparisons
- Accommodated the client's product preference via presentation and demonstration
- Prepared the client for ownership with a smooth and thorough delivery that accommodated all of the client's expectations
- Ensured that adequate general insurance coverage was applied
- Established a sustained consultative relationship with each guest
- Followed up with prospects, utilizing various methods of communication
- Developed new business and increased client base through focused personal marketing efforts that included, but not limited to, direct mail, networking events, telemarketing, and proactive phone calls
- Made effective deliveries by following all sale details, inspecting every car sold, introducing clients to the Service Manager and Sales Manager, and making a personalized delivery of the car.
Product Advisor
Acura of Langley
08.2003 - 04.2005
Product Advisor
Freeway Mazda
12.2001 - 08.2003
Education
Grade 12 -
Vernon Secondary School
Vernon, B.C08.1997
Business Management -
Okanagan College
Kelowna, B.C03.1999
Skills
- Operations Management
- Problem Resolution
- Staff Supervision
- Sound Judgment
- Performance Analysis
- Motivation
- Client Relations
- Budget Control
- Employee Relations
- Financial Oversight
- Performance Improvement
- Department Oversight
- Assignment Delegation
- Interpersonal Skills
- Sales Team Development
- Team Player
- Customer Relationship Management
- KPI Tracking
- Skilled negotiator
- Expense Control
- Staff Motivation
- Customer Service
- Inventory Control
- Customer Retention
- Effective leader
- Team Leadership
- Time Management
- Leadership and team building
- Efficient multi-tasker
Languages
English
Professional Working
Accomplishments
- Team leader of an international leader in automotive and automotive related products and services
- Helped Mercedes Benz hit its financial goals and targets 2019-2022.
- Won Various awards for Toyota.
- Voted employee of the year from Peer group. 2017.
- Lexus Pursuit of Perfection Award (2009)(2010)(2011)
- Increased dealership units sold by 200 in first year as GSM
- Lexus sales targets achieved each month (2008)(2009)(2011)
- Achieved 500 new units (2008)(2009)(2010)
Volunteer History
I have a varied resume of serving my local community and look forward to discussing this further.
Accreditation
- Motor Dealer Counsel (MDC) Certified.
- Financial Services
References
Reference’s given upon request.
Timeline
General Manager
Mercedes Benz North Vancouver
02.2019 - Current
General Manager
Jim Pattison Toyota
02.2015 - 02.2019
General Sales Manager
Jim Pattison Lexus & Jim Pattison Cars Unlimited
03.2007 - 01.2014
Assistant Sales Manager
Jim Pattison Lexus
06.2006 - 03.2007
Product Advisor
Jim Pattison Lexus
04.2005 - 06.2006
Product Advisor
Acura of Langley
08.2003 - 04.2005
Product Advisor
Freeway Mazda
12.2001 - 08.2003
Grade 12 -
Vernon Secondary School
Business Management -
Okanagan College
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