Pradip Zala
Automotive General Manager
Arlington Heights,IL
Summary
Dynamic leader with a proven track record at Firestone Complete Auto Care, BRO, excelling in operations management and customer relationship management. Skilled in driving sales growth and profitability through strategic leadership and team building. Achieved significant improvements in efficiency and customer loyalty, leveraging strong problem resolution and communication skills.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Automotive Repair Shop General Manager
Firestone Complete Auto Care, BRO
2022.02 - Current
- Managed budget implementations, employee reviews, training, schedules, and contract negotiations.
- Managed a diverse team of professionals, fostering a positive work environment and high employee satisfaction.
- Developed and implemented strategies to increase sales and profitability.
- Cultivated strong relationships with clients, vendors, and partners to ensure long-term success and loyalty.
- Monitored financial performance, set budgets and controlled expenses to provide financial stability and long-term organizational growth.
- Maximized efficiency by coaching and mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices, company procedures, and technology systems.
- Managed budget implementations, employee evaluations, and contract details.
- Increased overall company efficiency by streamlining operations and implementing innovative managerial strategies.
- Established comprehensive employee training programs to develop skills, improve productivity, and maintain compliance with industry regulations.
- Directed comprehensive sales efforts to exceed revenue targets consistently while maintaining customer satisfaction levels.
Automotive General Manager
Pepboys Parts And Auto
2018.07 - 2022.12
- Displayed financial responsibility through P&L management.
- Spearheaded cost reduction initiatives, resulting in significant savings for the dealership while maintaining quality standards.
- Led successful negotiations with vendors, securing advantageous pricing agreements for the dealership''s purchasing needs.
- Ensured optimum utilization of physical resources such as facilities, equipment, and tools through proper maintenance schedules and resource allocation planning.
- Interviewed, hired, trained and promoted associates to support operations and company growth.
- Increased dealership revenue by implementing strategic sales and marketing initiatives.
- Formulated detailed budgets based on historical data analysis; monitored expenses closely against projections to maintain fiscal responsibility.
- Streamlined internal processes for improved efficiency and productivity within the automotive team.
- Maximized profitability through diligent analysis of financial reports and data-driven decision-making processes.
- Implemented inventory control measures to optimize stock levels and reduce carrying costs.
- Implemented and maintained cash handling standards to eliminate theft of services or company funds.
- Expanded market reach by identifying new business opportunities within the automotive industry.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction through providing exceptional service and timely resolutions to concerns.
- Facilitated collaboration between departments to improve overall performance and customer experience.
Auto Body Shop Manager
Maaco Auto Body
2021.01 - 2022.02
- Provided exceptional customer service through transparent communication about repair timelines, costs, and expectations throughout the entire process.
- Enhanced shop efficiency by streamlining repair processes and allocating tasks effectively.
- Increased overall profitability through effective cost control measures, such as managing inventory and reducing waste materials.
- Mentored junior technicians, providing guidance on best practices in auto body repair techniques.
- Piloted new software systems that streamlined administrative tasks such as invoicing and record-keeping, ultimately saving time and reducing errors.
- Developed strong relationships with insurance companies to facilitate seamless claims processing for customers.
- Improved customer satisfaction by implementing new communication methods between technicians and clients.
- Negotiated favorable contracts with suppliers, resulting in lower costs for parts and materials without sacrificing quality.
- Collaborated with marketing efforts to promote the auto body shop''s services within the local community, driving increased foot traffic and business growth.
- Maintained an orderly workspace by enforcing cleanliness routines among staff members leading to improved workflow.
- Maximized use of available space by reorganizing the shop layout for increased productivity.
- Optimized scheduling procedures for both employees and customer appointments to improve overall efficiency within the shop operations.
- Boosted employee morale by fostering a positive work environment and encouraging professional development opportunities.
- Prepared work orders by describing repair and replacement services required, obtaining approval signatures, and entering orders into work management system.
- Supervised and managed shop operations and tasks.
- Processed insurance paperwork and prepared estimates to negotiate insurance settlements.
- Developed estimates by costing parts, supplies and labor and calculating customers' payments.
- Examined damaged vehicles to determine degree of structural and mechanical damage.
- Built and maintained good relations with customers, encouraging loyalty and obtaining recommendations.
General Manager/ Area Manager
Meineke Auto Care Center
2003.03 - 2018.05
- Managed budget implementations, employee reviews, training, schedules, and contract negotiations.
- Managed a diverse team of professionals, fostering a positive work environment and high employee satisfaction.
- Developed and implemented strategies to increase sales and profitability.
- Cultivated strong relationships with clients, vendors, and partners to ensure long-term success and loyalty.
- Monitored financial performance, set budgets and controlled expenses to provide financial stability and long-term organizational growth.
- Managed budget development, forecasting, and financial reporting processes to track progress towards organizational objectives accurately.
- Maximized efficiency by coaching and mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices, company procedures, and technology systems.
- Drove year-over-year business growth while leading operations, strategic vision, and long-range planning.
- Formulated policies and procedures to streamline operations.
- Implemented operational strategies and effectively built customer and employee loyalty.
- Implemented effective cost-saving measures to reduce overhead expenses without compromising quality or service.
- Managed budget implementations, employee evaluations, and contract details.
- Increased overall company efficiency by streamlining operations and implementing innovative managerial strategies.
- Established comprehensive employee training programs to develop skills, improve productivity, and maintain compliance with industry regulations.
- Directed comprehensive sales efforts to exceed revenue targets consistently while maintaining customer satisfaction levels.
- Maximized operational excellence mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices, and company procedures.
- Developed and executed strategic plans for business growth and expansion, resulting in increased market share.
- Implemented robust inventory management systems to optimize stock levels and minimize waste/costs associated with excess product storage.
- Championed continuous improvement initiatives that enhanced operational performance across all departments.
- Analyzed market trends/data to identify potential opportunities for business growth within existing or emerging markets successfully.
- Provided thoughtful guidance to personnel in navigating and resolving snags in productivity.
- Drove the successful execution of numerous large-scale events/promotions while closely managing costs/budgetary constraints associated with event planning/management activities.
Education
Automotive Mechanics
Lincoln Technical Institute
Norridge, IL01.2002
Mechanical Engineering - Material Science, Thermodynamics, Electronic Engin
Sardar Valabh University
Mumbai, India01.1989
Skills
- Leadership and team building
- Problem Resolution
- Operations Management
- Team Player
- Efficient multi-tasker
- Effective leader
- Time Management
- Training and coaching
- Team Leadership
- Staff Management
- Customer Relations
- Training and Development
- Relationship Building
- Staff Training
- Customer Relationship Management
- Inventory Control
- Staff Supervision
- Verbal and written communication
Languages
Gujarati
Full Professional
Timeline
Automotive Repair Shop General Manager
Firestone Complete Auto Care, BRO
2022.02 - Current
Auto Body Shop Manager
Maaco Auto Body
2021.01 - 2022.02
Automotive General Manager
Pepboys Parts And Auto
2018.07 - 2022.12
General Manager/ Area Manager
Meineke Auto Care Center
2003.03 - 2018.05
Automotive Mechanics
Lincoln Technical Institute
Mechanical Engineering - Material Science, Thermodynamics, Electronic Engin
Sardar Valabh University
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