General Sales Manager – Ford

Parks Ford of Gainesville | Gainesville, Florida

Parks Ford of Gainesville is seeking an experienced, high-performing General Sales Manager to lead our Ford sales operation.

This is not a developmental role. We are looking for a proven automotive leader who understands how to build a disciplined, accountable, and profitable sales department. The right candidate will know how to grow volume without sacrificing gross, manage inventory aggressively, develop sales managers and salespeople, and create a culture where expectations are clear and performance is measured daily.

Our dealership has significant resources, strong market potential, and an ownership group committed to growth. We need a GSM who can take control of the operation, establish structure, and consistently execute at a high level.

Compensation and Benefits

We offer a competitive performance-based compensation package designed to reward exceptional results.

Benefits may include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off
• 401(k) eligibility
• Employee vehicle purchase benefits
• Career advancement opportunities
• Manufacturer and dealership training
• A long-term leadership opportunity with an established dealer group

Specific compensation will be based on experience, performance history, and demonstrated ability.

What You Will Be Responsible For

• Leading the daily operations of the Ford new and pre-owned sales departments
• Driving new, used, and Lincoln sales volume, market share, gross profit, and overall sales effectiveness
• Developing and holding sales managers, internet managers, BDC representatives, and sales consultants accountable
• Conducting effective daily save-a-deal, inventory, training, and performance meetings
• Establishing clear activity standards and inspecting performance throughout the day
• Improving CRM usage, lead response, appointment-setting, show rates, and closing percentages
• Managing the sales process from initial customer contact through delivery and follow-up
• Monitoring pricing, merchandising, aging, turn rate, and inventory acquisition
• Reducing aged inventory and improving overall inventory profitability
• Partnering with the used car director to maintain the right inventory mix
• Ensuring every salesperson receives consistent classroom, process, product, CRM, phone, and objection-handling training
• Managing OEM training, certification, and Ford program compliance
• Recruiting, onboarding, coaching, and retaining high-quality sales professionals
• Working closely with finance, service, parts, marketing, accounting, and executive leadership
• Reviewing departmental financial performance and taking immediate corrective action when results fall below expectations
• Creating a customer experience that produces repeat business, referrals, and strong online reviews

What We Expect From Our GSM

We believe you manage money, processes, inventory, and numbers—and you lead people.

Our GSM must be visible, engaged, organized, and willing to lead from the front. This position requires someone who will inspect what they expect, coach in real time, make difficult decisions, and hold every member of the team—including management—accountable.

The ideal candidate does not wait until the end of the month to discover there is a problem. They understand their numbers, recognize trends early, and take action.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of five years of successful automotive sales management experience
• Previous experience as a General Sales Manager or General Manager.
• Proven record of increasing sales volume, gross profit, market share, and sales effectiveness
• Strong understanding of new and used vehicle inventory management
• Demonstrated ability to recruit, train, develop, and retain a high-performing sales team
• Experience managing internet leads, phone opportunities, CRM processes, and BDC performance
• Strong desking, deal-structuring, forecasting, and financial statement skills
• Ability to analyze departmental KPIs and convert data into action
• Working knowledge of dealership compliance requirements and manufacturer programs
• Ford experience is strongly preferred
• Experience with Dealertrack, vAuto, AutomotiveMastermind, and similar dealership technology is a plus
• Professional appearance, strong communication skills, and a high level of personal accountability
• Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record

The Candidate We Want

You may be a strong fit if:

• You have successfully led a high-volume franchised dealership sales department
• You know your sales effectiveness, closing ratios, gross trends, aging, turn rate, lead performance, and salesperson productivity without having to ask someone else
• You believe training should happen every day
• You are comfortable holding talented people accountable
• You can balance volume, gross, customer experience, compliance, and long-term team development
• You are competitive, disciplined, process-driven, and emotionally mature
• You want the authority and resources to build a winning department
• You are looking for a long-term opportunity 

Why Parks Ford of Gainesville?

Parks Motor Group is an established and growing automotive organization with a significant presence in the Gainesville market. Our Gainesville campus includes Ford, Lincoln, Hyundai, pre-owned sales, service, parts, mobile service, mobile detailing, BDC operations, and expanding commercial and fleet opportunities.

We provide our leaders with access to strong technology, marketing support, inventory resources, experienced fixed operations leadership, and direct executive involvement.

The opportunity is real. So are the expectations.

How to Apply

Please submit a current résumé outlining your automotive leadership experience and measurable accomplishments.

Qualified candidates should be prepared to discuss:

• Average monthly new and used vehicle volume
• Sales effectiveness and market-share performance
• Front-end and back-end gross performance
• Inventory aging and turn rate
• Lead conversion and appointment performance
• Team size and management structure
• Recruiting and training results
• Examples of departments you have successfully improved

All applications will be handled confidentially.

Parks Ford & Hyundai Gainesville is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We are a drug-free workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.