A Day in the Life and the Impact You’ll Make:
The State Manager, Automotive Inspections provides executive-level operational leadership for DEKRA's automotive inspection programs and station network within an assigned state or region. This leader holds end-to-end accountability for safe, compliant, customer-focused, and profitable operations, translating enterprise strategy into disciplined execution across multiple locations.
In partnership with the SVP, Operations - Vehicle Inspections, the State Manager owns operating performance against revenue, EBIT, budget, quality, productivity, and customer-experience objectives. The role leads Area Managers and Station Managers, strengthens leadership capability, optimizes labor and assets, and uses financial and operational insight to identify risk, resolve root causes, and deliver sustainable improvement. The State Manager also serves as a senior representative of DEKRA with regulators, business customers, consumers, landlords, vendors, and industry stakeholders and may lead integrations, launches, expansions, and other strategic initiatives.
What You’ll Do:
- Actively contribute to a culture of safety and health by demonstrating accountability, communication, and oversight in the following key areas: Strategic Alignment, Accountability, Performance Monitoring, Reports, Communication & Engagement, Incident Management, and Corrective Actions.
- Provide strategic and operational leadership for all automotive inspection programs and stations within the assigned state or region, ensuring alignment with DEKRA’s business objectives, safety standards, and operational priorities.
- Lead, coach, and hold Area Managers and Station Managers accountable for achieving financial, operational, customer-service, compliance, and workforce-performance expectations.
- Own the financial performance of assigned programs, including revenue, EBIT, profitability, labor costs, operating expenses, and station-level financial results.
- Lead the annual budgeting and forecasting process; routinely analyze P&L statements, budget variances, general ledger activity, and performance trends to identify risks, opportunities, and corrective actions.
- Establish and oversee performance-management systems for test volume, productivity, staffing, service delivery, quality, equipment availability, customer satisfaction, and other key operational indicators.
- Drive operational excellence and continuous improvement by identifying root causes, standardizing best practices, optimizing resources, and implementing sustainable solutions across the station network.
- Ensure all assigned programs and locations comply with state program requirements, contractual obligations, DEKRA policies, quality standards, internal controls, and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
- Champion a high-performance, safety-focused, and inclusive workplace culture that strengthens employee engagement, leadership effectiveness, accountability, retention, and professional development.
- Ensure consistently exceptional customer experience across B2B and B2C operations by monitoring service performance, resolving escalated concerns, and implementing improvements that protect and strengthen the DEKRA brand.
- Oversee station facilities, leases, equipment, property-management obligations, and brand standards, ensuring locations remain safe, professional, operationally effective, and compliant with applicable requirements.
- Partner with executive leadership and cross-functional teams—including Finance, Human Resources, Legal, Quality, Marketing, Business Development, IT, and Real Estate—to resolve complex business issues and execute strategic priorities.
- Lead or support business-expansion initiatives, station openings and closures, acquisitions and integrations, operational transitions, marketing initiatives, and other major projects while ensuring effective governance, stakeholder alignment, and business continuity.
What You’ll Bring:
- Associate / bachelor’s degree in business administration, Operations Management, Automotive Technology, or a related discipline; an equivalent combination of relevant education and progressively responsible experience may be considered.
- Minimum of three years of emissions testing, safety inspection, automotive services, or closely related regulated-industry experience.
- Valid emissions and/or safety inspection license as required by the assigned state program, with the ability to maintain all required certifications and credentials.
- Demonstrated success growing an automotive inspection, retail automotive, or service-based business through increased revenue, customer retention, operational efficiency, and market development. Strong financial and business acumen, including demonstrated proficiency in P&L management, budgeting, forecasting, cost control, labor management, and translating operational performance into financial results.
- Proven ability to lead, develop, and motivate managers and geographically dispersed teams while establishing clear expectations, reinforcing accountability, and recognizing high performance.
- Metrics-driven leadership approach with the ability to analyze operational and financial data, identify performance gaps, establish measurable goals, and implement actions that improve business results.
- Advanced operational-management capabilities, including workforce scheduling, service delivery, workflow optimization, production controls, quality management, equipment utilization, and process standardization.
- Strong strategic and structured problem-solving skills, including the ability to assess complex business issues, determine root causes, evaluate alternatives, and make sound decisions with limited or evolving information.
- Demonstrated project and change-management capability, with experience leading cross-functional initiatives, operational improvements, system implementations, business transitions, or other complex projects.
- Strong knowledge of operational risk management, including the ability to identify business, compliance, safety, and production risks and develop effective mitigation and corrective-action plans.
- Executive-level communication, influence, and relationship-management skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with employees, customers, regulators, vendors, and leaders at all organizational levels.
- Unwavering commitment to safety, regulatory compliance, operational excellence, employee engagement, and the highest standards of B2B and B2C customer service.
- High level of adaptability, sound judgment, organization, and personal accountability, with the ability to lead effectively in a dynamic, fast-paced, and highly regulated environment.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, with the ability to use operational, financial, workforce-management, and reporting systems to support data-driven decisions.
Physical Considerations:
- Ability to work in the office, stations, automotive-service, and outdoor environments and to move throughout inspection facilities during operational reviews.
- Ability to stand, walk, bend, stoop, crouch, and use stairs periodically, including on uneven surfaces and in varying weather conditions.
- Ability to operate a computer and telephone for extended periods and to travel by vehicle or air as required.
- Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds and, when traveling, manage luggage up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to work flexible or extended hours, including occasional early mornings, evenings, or weekends, based on program and business needs.
What You’ll Receive for the Value You Bring:
Compensation:
The base pay range for this position is $105,000 annually to $140,000 annually This position is designated as bonus eligible, subject to plan terms and conditions. Actual pay is based on several factors including market location and position-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
Benefits:
DEKRA North America strives to provide a competitive benefits package to colleagues and promotes physical, emotional, and financial well-being. Colleagues can self-select from our benefits to create a package unique to their needs. These benefits include access to competitive health care and retirement benefits, paid time off, mental health well-being resources, and opportunities to learn and develop. Below is a list of benefits we offer our colleagues:
Health & Well-being Benefits:
- Health care benefits: medical & prescription, dental, vision (including Domestic Partners)
- Critical Illness & Hospital Indemnity supplemental insurance
- Company Health Savings Account contribution
- Flexible Spending Account for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
- Paid time off such as vacation, sick leave, and floating holidays
- Mental and emotional support resources through our Employee Assistance Program
- Wellness Program to increase activity and health habits, with ability to earn participation rewards
- Paid Parental Leave
- Travel Assist (Domestic/International)
Financial Benefits:
- 401(k) plan, with an employer match
- Company paid Short- & Long-Term Disability benefits
- Group term life insurance with options to buy-up for self and others
- Working Advantage – DEKRA’s official corporate discount program
Growth and Development Benefits:
- Education Assistance Program
- Student Loan Repayment Assistance
- Internal training and development resources to grow your career
- LEAD Forward Leadership Development Program
- Annual Career Goal Setting and Performance Review cycle participation
This list provides an overview of benefits provided for US-based colleagues; the DEKRA North America Employee Benefits Guide outlines plan details and further related eligibility requirements.
Additional Position Details:
- Reports to: Senior VP, Operations - Vehicle Inspections
- Work Model: On-site
- Work Location: Las Vegas, NV emissions stations
- Supervises Others: Yes
- Status: Full-time
- FLSA Classification: Exempt
- Visa Sponsorship Eligibility: This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.
- Relocation Eligibility: This position is not eligible for relocation.
About Us:
As a global provider of comprehensive services and solutions, we help our customers improve their safety, security, and sustainability outcomes. DEKRA is the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification (TIC) companies offering innovative professional services in the fields of vehicle inspection, expert appraisals, industrial product testing & certification, management system certifications, leadership consulting, and much more. DEKRA is a purpose-driven organization with a deep passion to make the world a safer place on the road, at work, and at home. In DEKRA, you will be part of a continuously growing organization with a 100-year history involved in more than 50 countries on five continents.
We hope you’ll consider a career with DEKRA North America as we strive to become the Global Partner for a Safe World!
DEKRA North America is an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
DEKRA North America is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you need special assistance or accommodation while seeking employment, call +1 (770) 971-3788. We will make a determination on your request for reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis.
DEKRA North America will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay.
DEKRA North America participates in the E-Verify program to confirm eligibility to work in the United States.
