JOHN L WALKER III
Maxwell,TX
Summary
Dedicated professional bringing 15 years of automotive appraisal/estimating and buying experience coupled with a firm understanding of the changing industry. A proactive problem-solver with superior communication and leadership talents along with a drive to provide excellent customer satisfaction.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1989
1989
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Buyer/Consumer Acquisitions
Echo Park/Sonic Automotive
San Antonio, Texas
06.2018 - Current
- Provide excellent customer service to maximize the guest experience
- Conduct an appraisal process which includes inspecting vehicles for existing damage, tire condition, interior condition, warning lights and driveability to determine the cost to repair if necessary prior to trade or purchase.
- Focus on providing guests with timely trade or street purchase appraisals
- Make optimal buying decisions, regularly researching new trends and industry advances
- Inspect vehicles for evidence of previous paint and body repair that may have caused structural or possible frame damage
- Utilize reports various platforms to determine appraisal value such as Carfax, Manheim, MMR, V - Auto, Stock wave, and other market data
- Achieved favorable pricing, quality and quantity with diligent vendor relationship management.
- Contact potential guest using Auto Trader, Car Gurus, and other websites to help increase our inventory
- Manage wholesale inventory by working with auction point of contact as well as transporters to get vehicles to the auction to be sold
- Review company generated reports to track gains and losses in wholesale
- Track front end and back-end retail margins
- Assist with training for new hires throughout the nine locations in our market
Tire Shop Manager
Loves Travel Centers
Von Ormy, Texas
10.2014 - 06.2018
- Managed six Tire Technicians and three Diesel Mechanics
- Responsible for managing schedules, collecting on national accounts, ordering supplies, parts, and store maintenance
- Perform weekly tire audits and monthly mechanical parts audits
- Manage the profit and loss report for the tire side of the store
- Responsible for training of new hires
Store Manager
Brake Check
San Antonio, Texas
11.2013 - 10.2014
- Responsible for opening and closing procedures
- Prepared nightly deposits for morning bank transaction
- Conducted monthly inventory audits
- Managed P & L report, and made budget adjustments accordingly
- Ensured all outside purchases were invoiced and scanned to each repair order before closing out to the individual invoices
- Lead team of four Service Technicians and a Service Manager in the day-to-day operation to insure consistent workflow in the shop
- Handled customer complaints and feedback
- Performed daily marketing calls to customers
- Monitored daily customer survey tracking and production reports
General Manager
Titlemax of Texas
San Antonio, Texas
03.2011 - 11.2013
- Provided exceptional customer service
- Oversaw daily operations
- Managed office of four employees, and trainees
- Developed and trained staff
- Managed P & L report
- Solicited new business by encouraging customer referrals, and merchant marketing partnering
- Performed appraisals, and determined loan value of vehicles
- Closed loans, and managed account collections
- Typed up agreements, and reviewed with customers
- Reconciled cash drawer, and made morning deposits
- Executed marketing, and company objectives
- Managed the liquidation of defaulted assets through local auctions
Assistant Store Manager
Rent A Center
San Antonio, Texas
05.2010 - 03.2011
- Co-Managed six employees
- Reviewed rental applications for approval
- Managed sales and collections
- Monitored deliveries
Service Advisor
Firestone Complete Auto Care
San Antonio, Texas
09.2009 - 06.2010
- Co-managed seven technicians, ensuring timely work
- Provided price quotes and customer consultation
- Paid invoices in a timely manner
- Maintained optimal presentation of display area
- Set up appointments
Assistant Manager
Just Brakes
San Antonio, Texas
03.2008 - 09.2009
- Co-managed four brake technicians, ensuring store production targets
- Provided quotes, and customer service
- Inspected and signed off on all completed work
- Created employee schedule to fit customer needs
Regional Buyer
Drive Time Automotive Group
San Antonio, Texas
03.2007 - 03.2008
- Sourced vehicles through auctions around the country
- Followed company's the regional buy-plan
- Managed transit schedule to ensure timely delivery of vehicles
- Worked closely with retail management to determine needs/trends
- Ensured low reconditioning costs through detailed inspection process and accurate paint and body estimates, resulting in high probability of sale and margin rich units.
Education
Theodore Roosevelt High School
San Antonio, TexasSome College (No Degree) - Finance
Prairie View A&M University
Prairie View, TXSkills
- Customer service excellence
- Vehicle appraisal
- Appraisal software usage
- Market trend analysis
- Purchase negotiation
- Vendor relationship management
- Inventory management
- Wholesale market understanding
- Team leadership
- Training and development
- Attention to detail
- Effective communication
- Problem solving
- Inventory oversight
- Purchasing strategy
Strengths And Expertise
- CCC One Knowledge
- Inventory Management
- Problem Solving
- Financial Reporting
- Negotiation Skills
- Strategic Planning
- Team Leadership
- Communication
- Operations Management
Timeline
Buyer/Consumer Acquisitions
Echo Park/Sonic Automotive
06.2018 - Current
Tire Shop Manager
Loves Travel Centers
10.2014 - 06.2018
Store Manager
Brake Check
11.2013 - 10.2014
General Manager
Titlemax of Texas
03.2011 - 11.2013
Assistant Store Manager
Rent A Center
05.2010 - 03.2011
Service Advisor
Firestone Complete Auto Care
09.2009 - 06.2010
Assistant Manager
Just Brakes
03.2008 - 09.2009
Regional Buyer
Drive Time Automotive Group
03.2007 - 03.2008
Theodore Roosevelt High School
Some College (No Degree) - Finance
Prairie View A&M University