Service Center Manager Trainee
Job Description
ALL ROADS LEAD TO THIS OPPORTUNITY
The journey to Valvoline Instant Oil Change (VIOC) is different for everyone. Our employees are students, recent grads, parents, veterans, career changers—who have all found their way to our team. No matter where you’ve been or what you’re looking for, discover how your road leads to Valvoline.
JOB LOCATION: 12805 Central Avenue NE, Blaine, MN, 55434
ROLE OVERVIEW: What you’ll do to drive success
When you join us as a Service Center Manager Trainee, your personal and professional goals will be fueled by a friendly and collaborative team environment. Together, we’ll help keep our guests safe on the road by providing top-tier customer service, while performing preventative maintenance services for their vehicles.
This is a structured leadership development role, designed to build the next generation of Service Center Managers at VIOC. This is a time-bound, milestone-driven experiencing focusing on readiness for full store leadership. You will be assigned to a host service center and will develop operational, people management, and business acumen skills under the active coaching of your Area Manager and Service Center Manager (SCM) mentor.
This position is a defined pathway to SCM placement.
Your road to VIOC doesn’t require previous automotive experience. Through a combination of our award-winning training program and your own experience, you will be expected to:
- Lead the customer experience by acting as Manager on Duty, directing team members and coaching while working on the floor to ensure excellent customer service. This includes performing oil changes and additional services on customer vehicles as necessary
- Build the skills required to lead, develop, and retain a high-performing hourly team. You should demonstrate measurable improvement in team performance indicators
- Develop foundational competency in store P&L awareness and daily business administration, including opening and closing the service center, reconciling cash and handling deposits, inventory management, labor scheduling for hourly employees
- Participate in structured check-ins with the assigned Area Manager to assess progress against program milestones
- Handle customer inquiries, service recommendations, and complaints in alignment with VIOC’s service standards
- Take on other duties and responsibilities as determined by Valvoline
BENEFITS: What you’ll gain to fuel your goals*
We’re committed to putting our people first in every way possible. That’s why we offer a variety of benefits to help you navigate and advance a better future.
Here’s a look at some of our unique benefits:
- Compensation: $23.50 per hour/hour. After promotion to Service Center Manager (SCM), you will transition to salary pay with bonus potential
- Career Acceleration: Grow in the trainee program to run your own Service Center as a SCM and continue to gain the skills to advance your career.
- Debt-Free Education: 13 paid credit hours/year at WilmU, covering partial enrollment over two semesters.
- Life Balance: No late-night hours, holidays off, paid time-off availability, and back-up child and elder care
- Health & Wellness: Medical, dental, and vision, plus prescription drug coverage with Health Savings Account contributions.
- Mental Health: Our most important role is to support you along your journey at VIOC. Valvoline’s EAP (Employee Assistance Program) provides quick, free, confidential well-being support for all areas of our lives including personal and work relationships, family life, mental health, and legal issues.
- Employee Perks: Company-provided uniforms and tools, 50% discount on VIOC automotive services, and 401(k) savings plans with a 100% match up to 5%.
QUALIFICATIONS: What you’ll need to keep moving forward
From day one, we will help prepare you to complete the trainee program and become a Service Center Manager. You’ll combine that training with your own skills to kick start your road at Valvoline.
To succeed in this role, we seek team members with:
- One year of supervisory, management, or team lead experience required, preferably in a retail, automotive, military, or customer service environment
- Demonstrated ability to coach or develop others
- Experience managing shift-level operations or leading a team of 3+ direct reports
- Familiarity with KPI monitory or performance-based management
- Knowledge of cash handling, facility, and safety control policies and practices
- High School Diploma or equivalent
- College degree preferred but not required
- Schedule flexibility (Weekend availability is likely, but we ensure you don’t work late nights or holidays)
- Proven skill in leadership and people development, operational excellence, business acumen, and customer experience
- Competency in Microsoft Office Suite and ability to use scheduling, inventory, and POS systems
- English fluency in reading, writing, and speaking
We expect you can:
- Stand for up to 8 hours, climb stairs, and occasionally lift up to 50 pounds
- Crouch, bend, twist, and work with your hands above your head
- Be comfortable working in a non-climate-controlled environment
- Complete all VIOC certification within 6 months
Wherever you are, wherever you’re going, your future starts here. Because given the opportunity and support, we know everyone has something different, meaningful, and exciting to contribute. This is your chance to join a supportive team that’s willing to go the extra mile to help you succeed in your own way. So, bring your story, bring your goals, bring yourself—bring what drives you.
*Terms and conditions apply, and benefits may differ depending on location.
Valvoline is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes everyone to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.
The Company endeavors to make its recruitment process accessible to any and all users. Reasonable accommodations will be provided, upon request, to applicants with disabilities in order to facilitate equal opportunity throughout the recruitment and selection process. Please contact Human Resources at 1.833.VVV.Report or email ECC@valvoline.com to make a request for reasonable accommodation during any aspect of the recruitment and selection process. The contact information is for accommodation requests only; do not use this contact information to inquire about the status of applications.
Career Progression at vioc
An Exciting Road Ahead
You don’t need previous automotive experience to thrive at one of our Service Centers—our award-winning training and growth programs will keep you moving forward.
* Timeframes are average estimates and not guaranteed.
We take a promote-from-within approach, with more than 90% of our managers starting in entry-level positions at our Service Centers.
Entry-Level Lube Technician
As an Entry-Level Lube Technician, you’ll learn how to work on the automobiles and ensure the services are performed for our guests—all while adhering to our SuperPro™ procedures to the costumers’ satisfaction. You’ll also perform basic preventive maintenance, including top and bottom-side services like light/wiper checks, fluid top-offs, oil changes, and tire rotations.
Search Entry-Level Lube Technician JobsCertified Technician
Timeframe: Potentially 2 Months From Hire
As a Certified
Technician, your key area of focus will be physically working on the
automobiles and ensuring the services are performed while adhering to
SuperPro™ procedures and to the customers' satisfaction. You’ll also
perform basic preventative maintenance, including top and bottom-side
services like light/wiper checks, fluid top-offs, oil changes, and tire
rotations.
Senior Technician
Timeframe: Potentially 6-10 Months From Hire
Although your
key responsibilities as a Senior Technician will include physically
working on the automobiles and working with customers directly, this is
a lead role within the Service Center. In addition to helping train new
employees, you’ll also have responsibility for opening and closing a
Service Center on your own.
Assistant Service Center Manager
Timeframe: Potentially 12-15 Months From Hire
In this role,
you’ll be the right-hand to the Service Center Manager—and be
responsible for taking a lead in helping build a high-performance team
capable of differentiating our service experience from all other service
providers. In addition to physically working on automobiles and taking
care of customers, you’ll advise, train, and supervise hourly employees
on SuperPro™ and other policies and procedures.
Service Center Manager
Timeframe: Potentially 1.5-2 Years From Hire
As a Service
Center Manager, you’ll be responsible for maximizing the profitability
of your own store by delivering a preferred consumer experience. You’ll
lead team recruiting, selection, development, and performance
management, as well as ensure Environmental Health and Safety compliance
for consumers and employees. You’ll also assist in building a loyal base
of consumers by delivering a superior automotive experience built on
trust and the utmost professionalism.