Automotive Leader: GM/Platform Manager Candidate

Dan Diedrich

San Antonio, *****, US

916-***-**** *****************@*****.*** linkedin.com/in/dan-diedrich-a65a3430

Summary

Experienced automotive leader with a proven track record of driving sales and profitability in competitive markets. Demonstrated expertise in recruiting, training, and coaching teams to exceed regional targets while establishing strategic business initiatives. Poised to leverage extensive experience in relationship building and market development to drive growth as a GM or Platform Manager..

Skills

•Business Development & Sales: New Business Development, Automotive Dealership Operations, Sales Experience, Auto Finance Experience, Go-to-Market Strategy

•Leadership, Operations & Technology: Profitability Improvement, Recruiting, Director, Vice President, Project Management, Microsoft Office

•Customer Relations & Management: Customer Satisfaction & Retention, Customer Relationships

Work Experience

San Antonio Auto Group Mar 2025 - Present

General Manager San Antonio, Texas

•Transitioned to San Antonio after successfully managing two stores in another state, demonstrating adaptability and cross-regional leadership.

•Increased overall store performance by 165% year-over-year within four months, showcasing the ability to drive measurable business initiatives.

•Revitalized the underperforming Variable department through innovative strategies, motivational leadership, and strong operational oversight.

•Addressed long-term sustainability challenges by emphasizing staff retention and customer satisfaction, fostering a collaborative culture.

Knudtsen Foothills Mazda and Lincoln Feb 2024 - Mar 2025

Platform Manager Spokane, US

•Achieved #1 ranking among Mazda stores in the region, surpassing sales and profitability benchmarks and reinforcing effective sales strategies.

•Guided the Lincoln store to top regional performance with a 155% improvement in year-over-year metrics, leveraging analytical skills and industry insight.

•Secured a #91 nationwide ranking for Lincoln stores by optimizing operational processes and strengthening customer relationships.

•Built and led a high-performing team with a focus on recruitment, training, and operational excellence to support business growth.

•Provided documented leadership performance as noted in the attached Letter of Recommendation from Eve Knudtsen.

•Resigned from this position for personal reasons, reflecting a commitment to balance professional excellence with individual responsibilities.

Kansas City Buick GMC Oct 2022 - Mar 2024

General Manager/COO Kansas City, US

•Transformed dealership operations by optimizing inventory management and overseeing a successful dealership sale.

•Met or exceeded EBE and SFE objectives, strengthening New Truck market share.

•Profitable, Market share, and CSI all in line, and got the Inventory turn up to receive more inventory and Stimy allocations.

•This position was eliminated when the buy-sell happened, and the new owner had his people from another State.

SM Ford Dec 2020 - Oct 2022

General Manager/Operating Partner Kansas City, US

•Turned around financial performance across all departments, leading the business from losses to profitability. Market share exceeded and planning volume.

•Fleet and Commercial to 120 Units on average a month. ROI is the High Teens/Low 20's

•Elevated the dealership from the lowest-ranked in the zone to a leading position in the Midwest Region.

•Parts Wholesale turned into a Distribution hub. We had 11 full-time Trucks running in 3 States. Maintained approx. 16% for Wholesale.

•I left because the majority owner had an inconsistent perspective after the store was very profitable and hired a Market VP and an Assistant COO, along with discrepancies with accounting between stores and corporate write-downs and accruals that changed the complete dynamic of the success created from the store. It has since reverted.

•See attached Letter of Recommendation from FORD.

Wise Auto Group Aug 2018 - Jan 2021

Platform Director/Executive Group Manager/Group VP California, Arizona, Nevada, US

•Supervised multiple profitable dealerships across diverse brands, substantially boosting market share and customer satisfaction.

•Managed operations for 1,000 employees across 17 stores.

•OEM relations were my responsibility; therefore, we obtained and opened four new Dealerships in my tenure.

•The mix of franchises was: 6 Nissan, 2 Infiniti, CDJR, BGMC, KIA, HYUNDAI, Mazda, Volvo, and 3 Harley stores. All performing, except for two stores that were projects.

•I hired all Managers and had career paths for GSMs and Asst. Managers.

•I left for the opportunity to buy into the Ford store.

•See attached Letters from CEO, OEMs, and NADA Instructor.

Thompson's Toyota/CDJR/Buick GMC Apr 2016 - Jul 2018

General Manager/Operations Director California, US

•Led operations for a major automotive group, achieving top results in OEM programs and accomplishments.

•Attained the #1 ranking for GMC and drove Toyota/CDJR to expand and capture new market segments.

•My charge was keeping everything going and staffed. CSI and market penetration are always on point and profitable.

•I left to run the big group for Wise. The owner, Ron, said he would work for me even! The other owner, Jeff Thompson, and I reviewed every store in the Wise group and their respective market shares. My departure was blessed for that reason.

Education

University of Wisconsin, NADA, Tysons Corner, US

Bachelor of Arts, Business Administration and Management

2004 - 2006

Contact this candidate