Job Responsibilities
As a Branch Manager for The Hertz Corporation, I am responsible
for the operation and growth of a Hertz Local Edition branch. I
am in a branch that has been open less than one year; therefore I
am responsible for the growth in core accounts, usable fleet, and
revenue generated by my branch.
For branches open more than 1 year, a BM is responsible for
growth in revenue and growth in profit.
I work 50 - 60 hours a week; currently 10 hour days, with a 3 to
5 hour Saturday every few weeks.
I am responsible for sales growth, and spend nearly 20 hours a
week going to body shops, hotels, dealerships, and small
businesses to solicit referrals and committed business.
I spend 10 to 20 hours a week with my employees, training them to
become better at helping to run the operation of the branch, as
well as increase effectivness on their inside sales (optional
coverages, fuel).
I spend approximately 10 hours a week on administration duties.
In my branch, I try to do an equal amount of rentals to my other
employees; no BM is above doing any job, in my opinion. I also
clean cars and keep the branch looking good (cosmetically).
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Job Requirements
In the Hertz Local Edition divison of Hertz, one starts as a
Management Trainee. They often hire college graduates, with part-
time job / internship experience, preferably in customer service
and/or sales. They also hire people from other sales positions.
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Uppers
The best part is that no two weeks are the same (there are some long days,
however). One minute you can be coaching on a sales call, and the next you can
be delivering a vehicle to a stranded customer at a transmission shop.
The sales portion is rewarding because not only is it good training for future
sales careers, but the reward of a new account will be seen in the bonus portion
of a BM's compensation plan.
A BM also gets company car priviledges, which is a very valuable benefit.
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Downers
Working 50 hours a week can be a drag at times, and having to
work a 6 day week -- even if it isn't every week -- can be tiring.
The job also has a bunch of reports and sales requirements, as
well as policies -- all together, can be stressful and at times
mentally and physically draining.
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Lifestyle
As a BM for Hertz, you will work 50-60 hours week. This doesn't eliminate your
social life, but it does make it hard to make doctor appointments, go to the
bank, etc.
My co-workers at my level and below are mostly in their early to late 20's; the
level of managers above me (City Manager) are in their 30's and 40s. It is,
overall, a young and energetic company.
The company has a social event in every region, every holiday season, and each
city has its own branch and city outings for their specific areas.
Dress is business professional; shirt and tie, nice shoes, sports jacket not
required.
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Compensation
Base salary for the region is $35,000 per year. BMs have goals
to meet, and get a percentage of incremental growth in revenue,
quarterly. My first bonus was around $1,800. They can range
from $0 to $6,000 per quarter; average $1,000 to $3,000 per
quarter.
BMs are entitled to company car privileges, including for
personal use. They pay for the car, insurance, and gas.
Personally, it is a benefit worth about $8,000 per year, before
tax.
All together, my package is worth somewhere around $49,000 with
the car, per year.
Hertz has a income savings plan, where you can contribute up to
30% of your pay, pre-tax. Hertz will match 50% of the first 6%.
Hertz has several medical, dental, and life insurance options for
all of their full-time employees.
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Advice to Jobseekers
This isn't a job you'll have for three months and then move on.
It is a dynamic, exciting career that can be rewarding
financially and professionally. The combination of operations
management and sales is one that can't be duplicated in any other
industry.
Hertz is expanding and growing, thus creating a number of
opportunities. It is also a high turnover career, as with all
sales positions.
I have been with the company for about one year, and have been
promoted twice -- most people can get to the BM position within 1-
2 years of being hired as a Management Trainee for Hertz.
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