Lot Porter

Position Overview:

A lot porter is responsible for maintaining the cleanliness and organization of vehicles on a car dealership lot. They ensure that vehicles are arranged neatly, perform basic maintenance tasks such as fueling and washing vehicles, and assist in moving cars around the lot as needed. Lot porters may also support sales and service teams by preparing vehicles for customer delivery, retrieving vehicles for test drives, and maintaining inventory records. Overall, their role is crucial in ensuring a positive first impression for customers visiting the dealership.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Vehicle Maintenance: Performing basic maintenance tasks such as fueling, washing, and detailing vehicles to keep them clean and presentable for customers.
• Lot Organization: Ensuring vehicles are parked in an organized manner on the lot, making it easy for customers and employees to locate specific vehicles.
• Inventory Management: Keeping track of vehicle inventory, including logging new arrivals, updating vehicle information, and coordinating with sales and service teams.
• Customer Service Support: Assisting customers by retrieving vehicles for test drives, providing basic vehicle information, and directing them to appropriate dealership personnel.
• Lot Security: Monitoring the lot for any security issues, ensuring vehicles are locked and secured, and reporting any suspicious activity to management or security personnel.
• Facility Maintenance: Performing light facility maintenance tasks such as cleaning lot areas, emptying trash bins, and ensuring the overall cleanliness of the dealership premises.
• Collaboration: Working collaboratively with sales, service, and administrative teams to ensure smooth operations and customer satisfaction.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Age Requirement: Must be at least 21 years old due to the responsibilities involving driving and handling vehicles.
• Valid Driver's License: A valid driver's license is necessary to operate dealership vehicles legally.
• Clean Driving Record: A clean driving record is essential to demonstrate safe driving habits and responsible vehicle handling.
• Physical Fitness: Ability to perform physical tasks such as walking, standing, bending, and lifting objects up to a certain weight limit (typically around 50 pounds).
• Detail-Oriented: Being detail-oriented is important for accurately logging vehicle information, maintaining cleanliness standards, and organizing the vehicle lot efficiently.
• Customer Service Skills: Basic customer service skills are valuable for assisting customers with vehicle inquiries, directing them to appropriate personnel, and ensuring a positive customer experience.
• Team Player: Ability to work collaboratively with sales, service, and administrative teams to meet dealership goals and maintain a cohesive work environment.
• Time Management: Effective time management skills to prioritize tasks, handle multiple responsibilities efficiently, and meet deadlines for vehicle maintenance and lot organization.
• Communication Skills: Good verbal and written communication skills to interact with customers, colleagues, and supervisors professionally and clearly convey information related to vehicle inventory and tasks.
• Adaptability: Willingness to adapt to changing priorities, dealership procedures, and customer needs in a fast-paced automotive environment.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Lifting and Moving: Lot porters often need to lift and move vehicles, either by driving them or pushing them short distances within the lot. This task may require physical strength and stamina, especially for larger vehicles.
• Walking and Standing: Lot porters spend a significant amount of time walking and standing while inspecting vehicles, organizing the lot, and assisting customers. They should be comfortable with prolonged periods of walking and standing.
• Bending and Stooping: Checking vehicle conditions, cleaning interiors, and performing minor maintenance tasks may require bending, stooping, and kneeling.
• Operating Equipment: Using equipment such as pressure washers, vacuum cleaners, and basic hand tools is common for lot porters. They should be capable of using these tools safely and effectively.
• Driving Vehicles: Lot porters drive vehicles around the lot, to service areas, and sometimes on local roads. They need to be confident drivers with a valid driver's license and a clean driving record.
• Outdoor Work: Lot porters work outdoors in various weather conditions, including extreme heat, cold, rain, or snow. They should dress appropriately for outdoor work and be able to perform duties regardless of weather conditions.
• Repetitive Tasks: Some tasks, such as washing and detailing vehicles, involve repetitive motions. Lot porters should be able to perform these tasks without risk of strain or injury.
• Vehicle Inspection: Conducting thorough vehicle inspections may involve climbing in and out of vehicles, checking under the hood, and inspecting tires and other components.
• Loading and Unloading: Occasionally, lot porters may need to load or unload vehicles with supplies, equipment, or customer belongings. This task may require lifting and carrying items of moderate weight.
• Working with Cleaning Chemicals: Using cleaning products and chemicals for vehicle detailing requires following safety protocols and being aware of potential hazards.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Outdoor Setting: Lot porters spend a significant amount of time outdoors, working in various weather conditions such as heat, cold, rain, or snow. They must be prepared to work outdoors throughout their shifts.
• Vehicle Lot: The primary workspace for lot porters is the vehicle lot within the dealership. This area includes new and used vehicles awaiting display, customer vehicles for service, and inventory management areas.
• Customer Interaction: Lot porters interact with customers occasionally, especially when assisting with vehicle inspections, moving cars for test drives, or providing basic information about the dealership's services.
• Team Collaboration: They work closely with sales teams, service personnel, and other lot porters to ensure smooth operations within the dealership. Teamwork and effective communication are essential.
• Physical Activity: The job involves various physical tasks such as driving vehicles within the lot, cleaning and detailing vehicles, inspecting cars for damage, and moving cars as needed. Physical fitness and stamina are important.
• Maintenance Areas: Lot porters may access maintenance areas like car wash stations, detailing bays, tire service areas, and fueling stations to perform their duties efficiently.
• Safety Standards: They must adhere to safety protocols when operating vehicles, using equipment (such as pressure washers and vacuum cleaners), handling cleaning chemicals, and moving vehicles within confined spaces.
• Fast-Paced Nature: The dealership environment can be fast-paced, especially during peak business hours or promotional events. Lot porters should work efficiently while maintaining attention to detail.
• Training and Support: Depending on the dealership, lot porters may receive training on vehicle handling, safety procedures, customer service basics, and dealership-specific protocols.
• Professionalism: While the work environment may be active and sometimes demanding, professionalism in appearance, behavior, and interactions with customers and colleagues is crucial for creating a positive dealership experience.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee incumbent in the position. Employees will be required to follow any other legal or ethical job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. A review of this position has excluded the marginal functions of the position that are incidental to the performance of fundamental job duties. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise. JC Lewis Motor Company has an “at will” relationship with employees.