Regional Director, Retail Auto Service & Tires - Tucson AZ/Nebraska

Overview

Regional Director, Retail Auto Service & Tires - Tucson, AZ/Nebraska

Reports to: Regional Vice President 

Base $140-160K plus 50% Bonus and Equity 

Requires: 5+ years retail aftermarket auto service sales and multi-unit operations management experience

 

Sun Auto Tire & Service, a Leonard Green Portfolio Company, is the fastest growing, top-10 independent tire dealer in US with 600 stores operating under multiple brands. We've been named "Best Place to Work" and are a leading provider of vehicle aftermarket tires and repair services and are increasing our footprint rapidly through both organic growth and acquisitions.   We seek candidates looking for a long-term career path and capable of growing into roles of greater responsibility. This role is an excellent long-term opportunity and chance to join an awesome team and make an impact!  

POSITION SUMMARY

The Regional Director is a senior field operations leader within the store operations organization, responsible for the overall performance, growth, leadership development, and strategic direction of an assigned multi-district region. This role may oversee a combination of District Managers, Area Managers, and Store Management roles across the region, ensuring alignment with company strategy, operational standards, financial objectives, and cultural expectations. Regional Directors may be responsible for a combination of different operating models, including, but not limited to, service-forward, tire-forward, hybrid, wholesale, commercial tire, glass installation, express lube, and specialty repair operations. As a senior field leader, the Regional Director plays a vital role in translating enterprise initiatives into measurable field results, supporting Sun Auto’s expansion both organically and through acquisition, and ensuring a best-in-class guest experience and consistent operational execution. This individual must reside within or near the assigned region, maintain a strong field presence, and demonstrate the ability to lead through influence, visibility, accountability, and change in a fast-paced multi-unit environment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Regional Leadership

• Set the strategic direction for the region, aligning district priorities with broader divisional and company goals
• Partner with senior leadership to shape strategic initiatives, translate enterprise priorities into regional execution plans, identify field execution barriers, and communicate regional performance trends
• Provide feedback and recommendations to corporate leaders based on regional dynamics, competitive conditions, market opportunities, and store-level execution
• Serve as a senior field escalation point for complex operational, people, safety, customer service, and compliance matters within the region

Field Insights & Strategy Enablement

• Serve as the voice of the field, surfacing emerging challenges, best practices, performance risks, market conditions, and competitive trends to the executive team
• Collaborate with cross-functional partners to adjust strategies and tactics based on real-time regional performance, team feedback, data analysis, and field observations
• Help refine corporate programs by piloting new initiatives and sharing actionable insights from field testing and execution

Performance Oversight

• Own the region’s financial performance, including revenue growth, profitability, labor management, productivity, expense control, and cost of goods (COGs)
• Utilize reporting tools, performance scorecards, weekly business reviews, and KPIs to monitor progress and hold District Managers accountable for results
• Drive continuous improvement by analyzing performance trends, identifying root causes, and implementing corrective action plans for underperforming districts and locations

Team Leadership & Talent Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team that may include District Managers, Area Managers, and Store Management roles to maximize leadership effectiveness and business performance
• Foster a high-performance culture of accountability, ownership, continuous improvement, employee development, and professional growth
• Build a strong bench of future leaders through succession planning, talent identification, leadership development, and succession readiness

Cross-Functional Execution

• Act as the key liaison between the field and corporate departments (HR, Finance, Marketing, Training, IT, Facilities)
• Ensure successful implementation of company-wide initiatives, programs, standards, and change initiatives with clear field adoption, accountability, and measurable outcomes
• Partner with internal teams to address field challenges and streamline communication

Operational Excellence

• Promote consistency in safety, service quality, compliance, operating practices, and guest experience standards across the region
• Lead consistent execution across varied operating formats, including (but not limited to) service-forward, tire-forward, hybrid, wholesale, commercial tire, glass installation, express lube, specialty repair, and other assigned business models
• Conduct regular field visits, performance reviews, bottom-quartile store reviews, and hands-on coaching with District Managers, Area Managers, Store Managers, and other assigned field leaders
• Ensure all stores meet brand, operational, and visual standards

Regional Growth & Development

• Support acquisition integration, new store openings, and regional expansion plans, ensuring operational alignment, cultural integration, and performance stabilization
• Identify regional opportunities to increase market share, improve operational execution, expand service offerings, and grow fleet and commercial business
• Leverage local and regional market knowledge to strengthen competitive positioning and drive adoption of best practices across districts

Sales Performance & Guest Retention

• Champion initiatives that increase car count, strengthen guest retention, improve average repair order, and grow profitability
• Support local store marketing and sales efforts while ensuring alignment with enterprise campaigns and strategic priorities
• Monitor regional customer satisfaction and guest loyalty trends, partnering with field leaders to improve service quality and brand consistency

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Minimum of 7-10 years of progressive multi-unit leadership experience in automotive, retail, restaurant, franchise, or other high-volume service environments
• Previous experience as a multi-unit leader responsible for 20 or more stores
• Strong understanding of P&Ls, labor productivity, COGS management, expense control, operational KPIs, and budget discipline
• Demonstrated ability to drive sustainable revenue growth, profit improvement, operational excellence, and consistent execution across multiple locations
• Experience influencing senior leaders, partnering cross-functionally, and leading organizational change, business transformation, acquisitions, or large-scale operational initiatives
• Strong analytical and executive communication skills with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and translate insights into operational action plans
• Strong coaching, leadership development, succession planning, and team-building capabilities
• Valid driver’s license; ability to travel extensively throughout the assigned region, including periodic weekend travel

Preferred

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Management, Operations, or related field; equivalent leadership experience considered
• Experience leading multi-brand operations, acquisition integrations, leadership development, organizational effectiveness, and change management initiatives
• Automotive aftermarket industry experience
• Proven success leading operations across a multi-district region through multiple layers of leadership, including District Managers, Area Managers, and Store Management roles

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Frequent travel to stores throughout assigned region
• Exposure to shop environments including noise, temperature changes, petroleum products, and fumes
• Standing and walking up to 8 hours per day; occasional lifting up to 50 lbs
• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) when required
• Visual acuity to operate safely and perform inspections
• Reasonable accommodations available for individuals with disabilities

 

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Sun Auto Tire & Service is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.