Bridgestone Retail Operations (BSRO) is part of Bridgestone Americas and employs over 22,000 teammates in North America. BSRO operates more than 2,200 company-owned stores, including Firestone Complete Auto Care, Tires Plus and Wheel Works locations. With locations across North America and more than $3 billion in tire and auto service sales, Bridgestone Retail Operations is the right place to build a career. Whatever role you fill, when you represent the Bridgestone name, you are a valued teammate, and part of our larger mission to Serve Society with Superior Quality. We start by offering each teammate more than just competitive pay. We provide formal training, performance incentives, paid vacation and holidays, competitive healthcare packages for full-time and part-time employees, and a 401k plan to help build towards your future. We believe people can only provide superior service and quality to others when they are allowed to bring their whole self to work and know they are supported. We believe in championing all perspectives, individuals and teams because we understand the importance of seeing the world and our business through many different lenses. We are building a team as diverse as the world we serve. So, show us what you are made of. Show us the smart stuff, the tough stuff, the bold, beautiful and brave stuff. Because who you are is what we need.
Position SummaryThe Automotive Lead Technician position requires your experience and technical expertise to diagnose drivability and electrical systems, while using your leadership and mentoring skills in driving a team toward increased customer care and satisfaction.
Pay Range: $20.90 - $36.60
Our technicians enjoy a performance-based compensation model known as flat-rate pay. This system rewards our skilled professionals with a predetermined amount for each eligible task, fostering a culture of efficiency and swift task accomplishment, ensuring you're fairly rewarded for your expertise and dedication.
Pay Range: $21.60 - $41.28
Our technicians enjoy a performance-based compensation model known as flat-rate pay. This system rewards our skilled professionals with a predetermined amount for each eligible task, fostering a culture of efficiency and swift task accomplishment, ensuring you're fairly rewarded for your expertise and dedication. These rates reflect average productivity by region.
ResponsibilitiesCustomer and Vehicle Service (85%)
Personally road tests automobiles (both before and after service work is performed)Performs inspections on assigned vehicles following BSRO procedures (according to M.A.P. Guidelines) to reports findings to service managementAssists and instructs other technicians in performing diagnostic and repair activitiesAdequately explains mechanical diagnoses and needed repairs to non-mechanical individuals which may include teammates and Bosses on an as-required basisPerforms advanced and complex tasks for which they are qualified in one or more of the following areas: brakes, electrical, engine performance, engine repair, heating/air conditioning, suspension/steering, automatic transmissions/transaxles and manual drivetrains and axlesKeeps store management aware of service area mechanical repair problems as they occurPerforms other duties as assigned or as required for the orderly management of the store, such as: removing mounting and/or installing tires, shock absorbers, batteries and other automotive supplies and services; loading and unloading trucks requiring the movement of items weighting up to 100 lbs.Drives Boss or company vehicles to drop off and pick-up Bosses or automotive partsPractices proficiency in the application of BSRO methods, standards and proceduresContinuously learns new technical information and techniques in formal training sessions in order to stay or become proficient in automotive diagnosis and repairMaintains A.S.E. certifications and air conditioning certifications as necessaryMaintains state inspection licenses as necessaryBSRO certifications completed and currentFollows all BSRO applicable BSRO Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and PoliciesMiscellaneous Functions (15%)
Maintains service center standards of cleanliness, orderliness and appearance of space and equipment in the service department.Reviews maintenance/operating efficiency of tools and store equipment, i.e. engine diagnostic equipment, alignment machines, brake lathes, etc. If needed, the store will contact the qualified repair vendor to perform the maintenance.Complies with company safety policy and federal/state OSHA safety requirements which include, but is not limited to, the wearing of approved eye protection, proper lifting techniques, proper wheel torqueing, proper footwear, etc.Attends meetings as required by management.Helps to provide on-the-job training for newly employed VSTs.Other duties as assigned by Store Manager, Service Manager and/or Manager of Vehicle ServicesPHYSICAL DEMANDS
Store Deliveries
Tire deliveries contain between 90 & 400 tires 1 time per week depending on the retail locationStorage racks are between (4in. & 106in.)Stack tires on carts between (1in. & 72in.) to take to storage. Then place in storage racksRoll tires to storage and place in storage racksRoll tires to storage and place on a conveyor between (18in. & 43in.) then into racksRoll tires to storage and place into stacks.Tires weigh between (11 lbs. & 66 lbs.)Majority of tires weight between (18 lbs. & 27 lbs.)Pushing or pulling tires into or out of tight racks requires (15 to 55 lbs.) of forceTire Service
Perform 0 to 3 flat repairs per dayMount and balance 4 to 28 tires per dayRotate wheels on 1 to 7 vehicles per dayPull new tires for customers weighing between (11 lbs. & 72 lbs.)Average car tire weighs (27 lbs.), Average truck/SUV tire weighs (35 lbs.), Average Off Road Truck tire weighs (44.5 lbs.)Tire racks are between (4in. & 106in.) with ladders and step ladders available depending on the storeWheels weigh between (5 & 42 lbs.) with an average of (20.6 lbs.)Place wheels and tires on mounting machines between (28in. & 31in.)Place wheels on balancer between (27in. & 29in.)Tire mounting handles are between (19in. & 64in.)Use foot controls to remove and mount tiresTire repair stand are between (36in. & 39in.)Pulling back the tire bar to hook onto the mounting machine requires (20 to 35 lbs.) of forcePulling the valve stem with a tool requires (1 to 15 lbs.) of forceWing nut for balancer weighs (4 lbs.)Air impact wrench/torque gun weighs (6 to 8 lbs.)Pushing down on torque bars requires (40 to 80 lbs.) of force. Body weight can be used to offset the force needed.Air hoses hang between (72in. & 80in.)Oil Changes
Oil changes can take between (35 min. & 1 hour)Opening and closing hoods requires (3 to 6 lbs.) of forcePulling oil hose to vehicles requires (4 to 13 lbs.) of forceOil hoses hang between (66in. & 80in.)Maneuvering oil carts requires (4 to 15 lbs.) of forcePulling out floor jack arms from under the vehicle requires (3 to 20 lbs.) of forceAdjusting arm length requires (3 to 22 lbs.) of forceManeuvering rack arms from the sides of the vehicles requires (3 to 22 lbs.) of force and are typically moved with feetOil filters are stored between (4in. & 61in.)Individual quarts of oil weigh (1.5 to 2 lbs.)Oil filters weigh less then (5 lbs.)Alignments
Perform between 2 & 10 alignments per daySliding vehicle plates requires up to (20 lbs.) of forceAlignment remote weighs (4.5 lbs.)Sliding alignment jacks requires (10 to 55 lbs.) of forceAlignment computer keyboard is between (44in. & 47in.)Alignment reflectors are between (22in. & 60in.)Alignment reflectors weigh between (10 & 16 lbs.)Alignment break arm weighs (1.5 lb.)Step onto and off of alignment rack to access steering wheel, key and to set the parking in the vehicleUse hand tools to make adjustments under the vehicleAll adjustments are performed overhead while vehicle is on the rackFluid Service
Fluid services can take up to 1 hourPerform 1 to 5 fluid services per dayFill transmission machine with 7 to 11 quarts of fluidFill coolant with up to 2 gallons weighing (9 lbs.) eachOld jugs of coolant can weigh up to (30 to 35 lbs.)Opening and closing hoods requires (3 to 6 lbs.) of force.Use hand tools for fluid servicesPulling out floor jack arms from under the vehicle requires (3 to 20 lbs.) of forceAdjusting arm length requires (3 to 22 lbs.) of forceManeuvering rack arms from the sides of the vehicles requires (3 to 22 lbs.) of force and are typically moved with feetSupplies are between (4in. & 112in.) with a ladder availablePerform overhead work under the vehicleManeuvering oil carts requires (4 to 15 lbs.) of forceManeuvering coolant cart requires (4 to 20 lbs.) of forceBrake Service
Perform 0 to 2 brake fluid exchanges per dayPerform 0 to 2 brake pad changes per dayPerform 0 to 2 rotor services per dayBrake services can take between 1 & 2 hours per axlePulling out floor jack arms from under the vehicle requires (3 to 20 lbs.) of forceAdjusting arm length requires (3 to 22 lbs.) of forceManeuvering rack arms from the sides of the vehicles requires (3 to 22 lbs.) of force and are typically moved with feetAir impact wrench/torque gun weighs (6 to 8 lbs.)Pushing down on torque bars requires (40 to 80 lbs.) of force. Body weight can be used to offset the force neededSupplies are between (4in. & 112in.) with a ladder availableHanging lights are between (76in. & 80in.)Place rotors on the lathe between (39in. & 44in.)Lathe controls are between (34in. & 40in.)Total weight of wheels and tires together weigh an average of (30 to 55 lbs.) and can go up to (114 lbs.)Calipers weigh between (5 & 12 lbs.)Box of new rotors weigh between (5 & 42 lbs.)Brake pads weigh between (1 & 5 lbs.)Brake fluid vacuum device weighs up to (11 lbs.)Air Conditioning Inspection
Performing air conditioning inspections takes 15 to 30 min.Removing and replacing parts can take up to 2 hoursUse hand tools to remove or replace partsManeuvering air conditioning cart requires between (4 & 20 lbs.)Opening and closing hoods requires (3 to 6 lbs.) of forceElectrical Inspection
Perform diagnostic work for 1 to 3 vehicles per dayReplace parts as neededUse hand tools to remove and replace partsComplexity of work depends on experienceMiscellaneous
Opening doors requires (20 to 45 lbs.) of lifting forceClosing doors requires (20 to 80 lbs.) of pulling force without the use of body weightDrive Boss vehiclesBatteries are on racks between (3in. & 48in.) weighing between (27 & 49 lbs.)Supplies are between (5in. & 112in.) with ladders and step ladders available depending on the storeSupplies weigh between (1 & 42 lbs.)WORK ENVIRONMENT
Cold work environment in the winter with a cold cement floorHot work environment in the summerOil and other slippery substances on the floor at timesExposure to a variety of chemicals used in cleaning, lubrication, etc.Use hand, power and air tools to perform repairsReading, writing and math skillsMust have a valid automobile driver’s license at all times and be able to drive customer and company vehiclesMust have a minimum 5 years of automotive repair experience, completion of Vocational-Technical School program in a related field or demonstrated skills via third party certificates/assessmentA.S.E certification in at least 5 (five) of A1-A8 is preferred. Will accept equivalent external qualifications or training certifications. (New Hires with external similar qualification/certification will have up to 2 years of employment to comply.)Maintains Federal, State and Local certification/license where applicableAbility to communicate technical information to non-technical peopleBridgestone is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. It is our policy to consider for employment all individuals regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.
Employment EligibilityIf hired, a Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification must be completed at the start of employment. Temporary work authorization or the need for sponsorship may disqualify you from employment.