Shop General Manager
Shop: 1385 W Lake Street, Chicago, IL 60607
Compensation: $100,000 base + Uncapped Monthly Bonuses
About Bruiser Auto
Bruiser Auto delivers a premium, transparent, tech-driven repair experience that respects customers, empowers technicians, and sets a new standard for automotive service.
We're the Apple Store of auto repair — clean, organized, tech-forward, and obsessed with quality. We combine startup energy with professional systems, creating a place where high standards meet no-ego teamwork.
The Role
As Shop General Manager, you own the entire customer and repair experience. You're the only service advisor in the shop right now, which means you touch every repair from first phone call to final payment. You'll lead 2–4 mechanics, master our tech systems, and drive profitability through efficiency and excellence.
This isn't a typical GM role. You'll be hands-on with customers, deep in the workflow, and directly accountable for shop performance.
This is your shop. We’re looking for someone who acts like an owner and shares in the uncapped upside.
What You'll Do Every Day
Customer Experience & Repair Workflow
- Handle phone intake and build repair orders with precision
- Educate customers on repairs with transparency and clarity
- Collaborate with technicians on diagnosis and repair planning
- Order parts alongside the mechanics to meticulously work through each repair
- Collect payments and ensure smooth customer handoff
Team Leadership
- Manage, coach, and develop 2–4 mechanics
- Run daily technician standups to prioritize work
- Hire and fire with full performance authority
- Track booked hours per mechanic throughout the week to ensure goals are met
Shop Operations & Compliance
- Enforce uniform standards and shop cleanliness daily
- Open early, stay late, and set the standard for professionalism
- Maintain OSHA and EPA safety compliance
- Master and use Shopmonkey for all workflows (non-negotiable)
Business Performance
- Drive gross profit on parts and labor
- Improve workflow speed (drop-off to pickup time)
- Build customer return rate and Google review scores
- Hit monthly bonus targets through efficiency and profitability
What You Bring
Required Experience
- Automotive repair or service background (dealership, independent shop, or technician-to-manager track)
- Management experience with direct reports
- Customer-facing experience with strong communication skills
- Software proficiency, especially shop management systems
- Mechanical and repair competency
Preferred
- ASE A1–A8 certifications (any combination)
- Shopmonkey experience or other shop management software proficiency
- High volume service advisor or service manager background
What Success Looks Like
You'll be measured on four core KPIs:
- Store P/L gross profit
- Customer return rate (comebacks)
- Google reviews and NPS scores
- Workflow speed (time from drop-off to pickup)
Compensation & Benefits
Base Salary: $100,000
Bonus: Monthly, uncapped, tied directly to shop profitability and efficiency
Benefits: Full package including Aetna health, dental, vision, life insurance, and 401(k), uniform stipend, Red Wing boots stipend, PTO
Our Standards
We're looking for someone who:
- Takes pride in systems, cleanliness, and organization
- Leads with clarity and kindness, not ego
- Moves fast but follows process
- Treats customers like guests and technicians like professionals
- Thrives in a boutique, high-standards environment
Bruiser Auto is an equal opportunity employer.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $100,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Paid training
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
