Peter Z

Results-driven automotive sales and operations professional with 20+ years of progressive experience in automotive sales, dealership management, finance, business development, customer relations, and team leadership. Proven track record of building and leading high-performing sales teams, increasing dealership revenue, managing sales and finance operations, improving customer satisfaction, and developing long-term relationships with customers and financial institutions. Experienced in new and pre-owned vehicle sales, automotive financing, inventory management, lender relations, sales forecasting, employee coaching, performance management, trade-in appraisals, compliance, and dealership operations.

Recognized for strong leadership, negotiation, closing, strategic planning, and relationship-management capabilities.

Sales Manager - CarHub Caledon Chrysler - Caledon, Ontario

(2024-10 - 2025-11)

Led daily automotive sales operations with responsibility for team performance, revenue growth, profitability, customer experience, and achievement of dealership sales objectives.

• Led, coached, trained, and motivated automotive sales consultants to achieve and exceed individual and dealership sales targets.
• Developed and executed sales strategies designed to maximize vehicle sales, gross profit, and market penetration.
• Monitored daily sales activity, individual performance, KPIs, appointment levels, closing ratios, and overall department results.
• Managed the customer sales process from initial lead generation through negotiation, closing, and vehicle delivery.
• Assisted sales representatives with complex negotiations and high-value transactions.
• Worked closely with the Finance & Insurance department to ensure efficient deal flow and a positive customer experience.
• Participated in vehicle inventory management, pricing strategy, merchandising, and sales planning.
• Conducted regular sales meetings, coaching sessions, and performance reviews.
• Managed customer escalations and resolved concerns professionally and efficiently.
• Maintained strong customer relationships to encourage repeat and referral business.
• Ensured adherence to dealership policies, manufacturer requirements, OMVIC standards, and applicable regulations.
• Analyzed sales data, market activity, and performance trends to identify opportunities for growth.
• Maintained a strong culture of professionalism, accountability, customer service, and results.

Business Manager - Bell Auto - Toronto, Ontario

(2023-03 - 2024-08)

Managed automotive finance, customer relationships, sales support, lender coordination, and dealership sales activities while supporting management in achieving monthly sales and profitability objectives.

• Assessed customer financing requirements and identified appropriate lending solutions based on credit profiles and lender criteria.
• Developed and maintained relationships with financial institutions and automotive lenders.
• Utilized DealerTrack and other industry platforms to process financing applications and facilitate approvals.
• Reviewed financing documentation and ensured accuracy and compliance throughout the transaction process.
• Worked directly with customers to understand their financial needs and provide appropriate financing options.
• Supported and supervised dealership sales operations across new and pre-owned vehicle departments.
• Assisted sales consultants with customer negotiations, objection handling, and transaction closing.
• Conducted vehicle trade-in appraisals and assisted in establishing appropriate valuations.
• Coached, trained, mentored, and motivated sales staff to improve individual and team performance.
• Monitored monthly sales targets and individual sales quotas.
• Assisted staff with appointment generation and lead follow-up strategies.
• Conducted sales meetings and training sessions to promote ongoing professional development.
• Maintained detailed customer records and ensured proper handling of confidential documentation.
• Ensured compliance with OMVIC, MVDA, dealership policies, and industry standards.
• Built long-term relationships with customers based on trust, transparency, and professionalism.

Sales Representative → Sales Manager → General Sales Manager - Bay Auto Zone - Toronto, Ontario

(2011-06 - 2023-02)

Progressed through increasingly senior positions during more than 11 years with the dealership, ultimately assuming significant responsibility for sales leadership, dealership operations, automotive financing, staff management, and business growth.

• Progressed from Sales Representative to Sales Manager and subsequently to General Sales Manager responsibilities based on performance and leadership capabilities.
• Managed and directed dealership administration and automotive sales operations.
• Oversaw dealership performance averaging approximately 70 vehicle sales per month.
• Managed operations across two showrooms as well as the dealership's automotive service/mechanic operation.
• Evaluated operational processes and introduced improvements designed to increase efficiency, productivity, and sales performance.
• Monitored dealership standards, employee performance, customer satisfaction, and operational quality.
• Participated in strategic planning, budget management, organizational improvement, and revenue-generation initiatives.
• Led sales teams and provided ongoing coaching, motivation, training, and performance management.
• Assisted sales representatives with customer presentations, negotiations, objection handling, and transaction closing.
• Developed sales strategies designed to increase dealership revenue and improve overall performance.
• Managed sales activity and supported achievement of dealership and individual sales targets.
• Established follow-up processes to improve customer engagement, appointment generation, and sales conversion.
• Helped increase the dealership's customer satisfaction index from the 80% range to approximately 92% after assuming management responsibilities.
• Developed long-term customer relationships that generated repeat and referral business.
• Addressed customer concerns and escalations while maintaining high standards of professionalism and service.
• Developed extensive knowledge of automotive financing, credit applications, lender requirements, and financing alternatives.
• Established relationships with Tier 1 financial institutions and alternative lenders.
• Structured financing solutions based on individual customer credit profiles and vehicle purchases.
• Reviewed financing documentation and coordinated applications through approval and funding.
• Facilitated financing for more than 400 vehicles annually, with typical transaction values ranging from approximately $40,000 to $80,000.
• Worked closely with customers and lenders to resolve financing challenges and maximize transaction completion.
• Interviewed, hired, trained, supervised, and developed dealership staff.
• Delegated responsibilities and monitored employee performance to ensure compliance with dealership standards and expectations.
• Conducted regular coaching and provided guidance to improve individual productivity and customer service.

Sales Representative - Auto Rama - Toronto, Ontario

(2005-09 - 2011-05)

Built a strong foundation in automotive sales, customer relationship management, negotiation, lead follow-up, product presentation, and business development.

• Developed relationships with prospective and existing customers, contributing to an approximately 10% increase in sales.
• Responded to customer inquiries generated through telephone, email, internet leads, and dealership traffic.
• Conducted timely follow-up to convert inquiries into appointments and vehicle purchases.
• Negotiated vehicle purchase and lease transactions while balancing customer expectations with dealership profitability.
• Maintained an average customer satisfaction score of approximately 95%.
• Educated customers on vehicle features, options, packages, specifications, and available models.
• Identified customer needs and recommended vehicles and financing structures aligned with individual requirements.
• Maintained strong post-sale relationships to encourage repeat and referral business.

Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) - University of Tehran (2004)