Join the team at James River Equipment
Since 1977, James River Equipment has been providing outstanding John Deere products and services to farmers, businesses, homeowners, and our communities. Each one of our over 50 authorized John Deere dealerships provides a workplace where employees are family and customers return because of the skill, service and trust our employees provide. As we grow, we value people ready to grow a career that makes an impact far beyond just our daily workplace.
The Assistant Service Manager assists the Service Manager in overseeing the daily operations of the service department to ensure exceptional customer satisfaction, profitable labor sales, and efficient workflow. This role is responsible for supporting and encouraging departmental goals, managing personnel to include shop assignments and standards of performance, and work output to satisfy customer service needs. The Assistant Service Manager must be an effective and efficient liaison between the Service Manager and the technicians.
📌 Key Responsibilities
Customer Satisfaction & Process Optimization
- Develop and maintain effective service department processes to ensure internal and external customer satisfaction
- Lead implementation of best practices and common processes across all service locations
- Coordinate customer clinics, field days, and promotional events
- Identify and develop new customer relationships and business opportunities
- Negotiate equitable service policy settlements
Financial & Operational Management
- Collaborate with service manager on annual service department goals and budgets aligned with organizational objectives
- Help develop and execute a service department marketing plan; monitor monthly to ensure revenue growth
Personnel Leadership & Development
- Recruit, hire, develop, and retain key personnel
- Maintain a current internal depth chart and individual development plans
- Provide coaching, performance feedback, and employee development
- Promote a culture of safety and provide safety training
- Ensure the service department has a strong interdepartmental working relationship to align the team
Warranty & Claims Management
- Submit all service warranty and Product Improvement Program claims within required timeframes to maximize credit
- Analyze service rework and implement corrective actions
Facility & Equipment Oversight
- Ensure maintenance of service facilities, yard areas, mobile equipment, service vehicles, shop equipment, and tooling
🛠️ Skills & Abilities
- Strong leadership and team-building capabilities
- Ability to take direction from and collaborate with service manager and company leadership
- Excellent coaching, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills
- Ability to read internal reports and understand financial principles related to service operations
- Effective communicator with both customers and technicians
- Knowledge of supervision principles and personnel administration
- Strong organizational and analytical skills
- Ability to identify and implement process improvements
- Positive attitude and commitment to safety practices
💪 Physical Requirements
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds unassisted
- Must be able to maneuver on/under heavy equipment and navigate construction/agricultural sites with uneven terrain
- Frequent visits to the service shop with exposure to dirt, grease, fumes, noise, and other hazards
- Must follow strict safety procedures and wear appropriate PPE
- Ability to operate a motor vehicle during day and night
- Travel: Little to none
✅ Requirements
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Qualification
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Details
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Education
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High school diploma or GED equivalent
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Experience
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Minimum 3–5 years in an equipment service department
Background as a shop supervisor/foreman or coordinator with progressive leadership abilities
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Management
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Supervisory experience required with progressive leadership ability and coachability
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Technical Knowledge
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In-depth knowledge of equipment technology
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Certification
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Future enrollment in Deere Service Management Certified Program
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Communication
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Strong verbal and written communication skills
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Computer Skills
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Proficiency in Microsoft Office and internal reporting tools
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