Yes i know what it’s like out there, you can make $17 an hour making double doubles at Timmies they say… but i figured i would start this as more of a conversation than a recruitment initiative.
I work for CARSTAR Automotive Canada’s corporate head office in Ontario. www.carstar.ca
We have a growing network of collision repair centers in Alberta and there are significant staffing needs not just in the stores, but from a corporate perspective as well.
There is a need for entry level positions starting at the detailer / prepper level. There is a major need for experienced body techs and painters. And corporately we need a market development manager and an Area VP… So anything from $15 an hour to $100,000k per year.
Heck, even the painters and body techs, depending on efficiency, are making $75k - $100k. We have locations in Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Lethbridge etc. etc. and will be converting two more existing independents to CARSTAR’s in the next 2 months with several more planned in the next 24 months.
So i guess my question are these…
Do you know about CARSTAR?
Would you work in the auto collision industry?
Are these types of jobs more appealing than the industrial slavery positions?
I am covertly going about an initiative to bring CARSTAR corporate into the sport-compact / drift scene on my own and a major value component i see is trying to recruit young car-guys into the industry by increasing our visibility.
Alberta is a key market for growth for us… hence this thread.
discuss
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i’ll be posting this on a couple forums, Alberta, BC, etc… so expect to see it more than once.
i install remote car starters… 70K + a year… hook me up ill come work. i don’t do sandpaper work. i cant stand it. :S it drys my mouth out oddly enough…
its funny that you say this, because i work in the industrial plants, and it is far from slave work. unless you call working 2-3 hrs out of 12 slave work.
i have many friends from high-school that went out to work on the rigs or in related fields that couldnt handle the isolation and the hours.
i am sure the jobs vary greatly though, and it all comes down to personality.
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to address a question i got through pm
the market development manager is the store’s first point of contact with corporate. they are responsible for getting into the broker’s offices and keeping our store’s top of mind. They also interact heavily with insurance company corporate staff as their first point of contact with our network.
We need to fill that position real fast, but you have to have some experience and some education. We had a woman in the position that was earning north of $70k + car and expense account… make your own hours really… she got poached and its likely earning north of $90K+++ in more a senior role with a competitor.
our MDM’s put in 25-30 hour work weeks and its all promotional on the insurance side and consultational on the network side.
yes, Corporate is hiring two positions in alberta and one in BC… An MDM for each province and an AVP, i doubt anyone here qualifies for the AVP, but i do know that 2 of our Ontario MDM’s came from non-automotive fields. One from medical componentry sales and one from aftermarket parts sales.
if you have a university degree, experience in sales, experience with travelling positions and working from home, at least some experience in automotive, ideally collision, rentals (we have national relationships with Enterprise and discount) or insurance then you can send your resume to me and i will put it in the hands of our HR VP…
we had both of these positions filled but the candidates did not commit 100% and we need to hire again ASAP.
I also keep hearing that the stores themselves are underhiring… meaning they are hiring people to do jobs that really are not suited for it but doing so out of desperation.
A sharp young guy with some education, a passion for automotive who isnt a total fuck up could be trained to be an estimator in a couple months and do really well at it.
I’m answering questions here that i am getting through pm for the benefit of all.
If you have a resume ready you can e-mail it to me at bing at bings.ca
let me know what position you are interested in or if you just want me to note which stores you are nearest to.
Title: Market Development Manager – Alberta Reference:
Department: Sales & Marketing Closing Date: 2008
Location: CARSTAR Automotive Canada, ON
The primary function: CARSTAR has built a strong business reputation and brand for providing quality collision repairs in the Alberta area for over 30 years. The role of the Market Development Manager is to ensure that our market share of business in the Alberta region continue to grow.
The candidate will build strong working relationships with the 15 franchisees in the market and work with them and on their behalf in the community.
On the B2B sales side, the MDM will become an integral part of the local insurance broker and insurance company professional community and manage the execution of the regional consumer and B2B campaigns…
Promoting the stores to the insurance broker and insurance company offices within the region is a primary responsibility
Specific Responsibilities:
To satisfy the five needs of CARSTAR franchisees: assistance to boost profitability, create positive interaction, provide effective leadership, provide effective marketing and provide responsive support.
Sales: provide market management, support and leadership in market development and achieving goals through: marketing relations and initiatives with regional insurance partners; event management and support; regional business groups; national marketing program rollout and support; field calls on behalf of and with franchisees.
General Franchisee Store support: safeguard our investment in the franchisee by ensuring the store has a business plan that works and by continuing to support and coach their development in the market. Drive more business through their stores, ensure compliance with all CARSTAR Programs: business plan development, store financial and administration coaching, store HR needs, store compliance with CQS, ISO, dispute resolution, training and implementation of new programs.
Implement Carstar Automotive Canada product/system sales: CARSTAR U, Technology Solutions, CQS, Vendor/product relationships, performance group participation
Corporate Reporting Requirements: be an effective conduit to ensure all stakeholder needs are being met.
New franchise development: territory management, manage the balance between current store growth, franchisees goals of multiple units and the territory volume needs and new store opportunities.
Personal Characteristics: Customer focus, business savvy, self disciplined, critical problem solver
Qualifications:
5 years business to business sales experience
Experience in sales related to a technical market
Experience in the auto body collision industry would be an asset
Ability to prospect, qualify and close sales
Superior commitment to customer service
Self-management and organizational skills
Creative thinking and problem solving skills
Ability to work independently as well as part of a team
Focused on value added selling
Valid drivers license and reliable vehicle
Proficiency in Microsoft word, excel, power point
i’ve also just been asked to find another similarly salaried corporate guy to manage a partnership program between us and one insurance company and load levelling claimis in the Alberta markets…
no job description for this right now, but any mature, educated, auto-savvy guys please get in touch with me.
if there is anyone out there that has auto claims, insurance or collision store / estimating experience i especially want to be in touch with you.
i’ve started forwarding over resumes to our HR dept. and right through our regional MDM’s on to stores that are looking specifically for young guys to bring in and train.