Automotive Lead Technician

Company Overview

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 Summary

The 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: $24.20 - $45.37

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.

Responsibilities

Customer 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 management

• Assists and instructs other technicians in performing diagnostic and repair activities

• Adequately explains mechanical diagnoses and needed repairs to non-mechanical individuals which may include teammates and Bosses on an as-required basis

• Performs 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 axles

• Keeps store management aware of service area mechanical repair problems as they occur

• Performs 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 parts

• Practices proficiency in the application of BSRO methods, standards and procedures

• Continuously learns new technical information and techniques in formal training sessions in order to stay or become proficient in automotive diagnosis and repair

• Maintains A.S.E. certifications and air conditioning certifications as necessary

• Maintains state inspection licenses as necessary

• BSRO certifications completed and current

• Follows all BSRO applicable BSRO Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Policies

Miscellaneous 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 Services

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Store Deliveries

• Tire deliveries contain between 90 & 400 tires 1 time per week depending on the retail location

• Storage racks are between (4in. & 106in.)

• Stack tires on carts between (1in. & 72in.) to take to storage. Then place in storage racks

• Roll tires to storage and place in storage racks

• Roll tires to storage and place on a conveyor between (18in. & 43in.) then into racks

• Roll 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 force

Tire Service

• Perform 0 to 3 flat repairs per day

• Mount and balance 4 to 28 tires per day

• Rotate wheels on 1 to 7 vehicles per day

• Pull 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 store

• Wheels 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 tires

• Tire repair stand are between (36in. & 39in.)

• Pulling back the tire bar to hook onto the mounting machine requires (20 to 35 lbs.) of force

• Pulling the valve stem with a tool requires (1 to 15 lbs.) of force

• Wing 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 force

• Pulling oil hose to vehicles requires (4 to 13 lbs.) of force

• Oil hoses hang between (66in. & 80in.)

• Maneuvering oil carts requires (4 to 15 lbs.) of force

• Pulling out floor jack arms from under the vehicle requires (3 to 20 lbs.) of force

• Adjusting arm length requires (3 to 22 lbs.) of force

• Maneuvering rack arms from the sides of the vehicles requires (3 to 22 lbs.) of force and are typically moved with feet

• Oil 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 day

• Sliding vehicle plates requires up to (20 lbs.) of force

• Alignment remote weighs (4.5 lbs.)

• Sliding alignment jacks requires (10 to 55 lbs.) of force

• Alignment 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 vehicle

• Use hand tools to make adjustments under the vehicle

• All adjustments are performed overhead while vehicle is on the rack

Fluid Service

• Fluid services can take up to 1 hour

• Perform 1 to 5 fluid services per day

• Fill transmission machine with 7 to 11 quarts of fluid

• Fill coolant with up to 2 gallons weighing (9 lbs.) each

• Old 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 services

• Pulling out floor jack arms from under the vehicle requires (3 to 20 lbs.) of force

• Adjusting arm length requires (3 to 22 lbs.) of force

• Maneuvering rack arms from the sides of the vehicles requires (3 to 22 lbs.) of force and are typically moved with feet

• Supplies are between (4in. & 112in.) with a ladder available

• Perform overhead work under the vehicle

• Maneuvering oil carts requires (4 to 15 lbs.) of force

• Maneuvering coolant cart requires (4 to 20 lbs.) of force

Brake Service

• Perform 0 to 2 brake fluid exchanges per day

• Perform 0 to 2 brake pad changes per day

• Perform 0 to 2 rotor services per day

• Brake services can take between 1 & 2 hours per axle

• Pulling out floor jack arms from under the vehicle requires (3 to 20 lbs.) of force

• Adjusting arm length requires (3 to 22 lbs.) of force

• Maneuvering rack arms from the sides of the vehicles requires (3 to 22 lbs.) of force and are typically moved with feet

• 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

• Supplies are between (4in. & 112in.) with a ladder available

• Hanging 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 hours

• Use hand tools to remove or replace parts

• Maneuvering air conditioning cart requires between (4 & 20 lbs.)

• Opening and closing hoods requires (3 to 6 lbs.) of force

Electrical Inspection

• Perform diagnostic work for 1 to 3 vehicles per day

• Replace parts as needed

• Use hand tools to remove and replace parts

• Complexity of work depends on experience

Miscellaneous

• Opening doors requires (20 to 45 lbs.) of lifting force

• Closing doors requires (20 to 80 lbs.) of pulling force without the use of body weight

• Drive Boss vehicles

• Batteries 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 store

• Supplies weigh between (1 & 42 lbs.)

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Cold work environment in the winter with a cold cement floor

• Hot work environment in the summer

• Oil and other slippery substances on the floor at times

• Exposure to a variety of chemicals used in cleaning, lubrication, etc.

• Use hand, power and air tools to perform repairs

• Reading, writing and math skills

• Must have a valid automobile driver's license at all times and be able to drive customer and company vehicles

• Must 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/assessment

• A.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 applicable

• Ability to communicate technical information to non-technical people