Job Responsibilities
Train franchised auto dealers on warranty and service
administration (30%). Monitor and control excessive warranty
costs (25%). Provide feedback to upper management on retail
operations and effectiveness of company systems (10%). Review
and analize retailers warranty labor rates (35%).
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Job Requirements
I was hired into a small zone office 30 years ago that was later
absorbed into a national organization and the firm was later
bought by the Ford Motor Company. Current requirements for
this job would be an undergraduate degree, preferably in business
or considerable retail auto experience. An MBA would open doors
for further advancement if wanted. Current trends in this
industry are far different now than when I was hired. Most new
hires now are not employeed by the parent company but work for
contract firms. The industry trend is to strongly limit head
count and fill positions with contract (outsourced) staff.
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Uppers
Work routine allows for 30% travel around the western third of the USA with the
balance of the time in my office. As the auto industry and British automobiles
in general are a lifetime avocation and hobby working in the industry afford
contact with the product and the retail dealer network. Training on best
industry pratices at the retail level is much like serving as a business
consultant. Being respected by business colleagues for 30 years experience in
the very specific field of warranty administration is satisfying.
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Downers
The small hands on company I joined 30 years ago British Leyland
Motors has transformed and particularily after the buy out by
Ford has become much more impersonal and bureacratic and there is
far less contact with the product (the car) than earlier in my
career. Contact with, and use of the cars, were major motivators
in years past. Making things happen in a large organization is
far more difficult.
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Lifestyle
I do not have a stong feeling for this job in the future given
the trend toward outsourcing employees. I would suggest those
wanting to enter the automotive business do so at the retail end
with possible future movement to the wholesale end at the
manufacturer level. There are far more openings all around the
nation in the retail end of the business. Anyone working for a
company as big as Ford should be prepared for multiple moves
around much of the nation. This is not a career if you want to
put roots down in a certain community. It was not like this when
I started with the small independent company that it was 30 years
ago. Now it is more like military service with transfers every 2-
3 years.
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Compensation
Compensation for this position is approximately $50K to $80K
depending on senority, education, and merit. There have been
some bonuses in the past but due to reduced profitability these
have been discontinued recently. Benefits include medical,
dental, life insurance coverge, etc. and a 401K plan which the
company has a partial match for. Being a mature industry there
are no stock options.
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Advice to Jobseekers
I do not have a stong feeling for this job in the future given
the trend toward outsourcing employees. I would suggest those
wanting to enter the automotive business do so at the retail end
with possible future movement to the wholesale end at the
manufacturer level. There are far more openings all around the
nation in the retail end of the business. Anyone working for a
company as big as Ford should be prepared for multiple moves
around much of the nation. This is not a career if you want to
put roots down in a certain community. It was not like this when
I started with the small independent company that it was 30 years
ago. Now it is more like military service with transfers every 2-
3 years.
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