VIP Tires & Service (Belfast, ME) #23

About Us

VIP TIRES & SERVICE is a family-owned service business that traces its origins back to 1926. VIP is the place where New Englanders turn for the tires and professional automotive service that they need to keep their vehicles running their best. Today, VIP operates over 65 full-service automotive shops throughout Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Vermont, and we're opening new shops every year. VIP's mission is to EARN A CUSTOMER FOR LIFE, and we do that by investing in our people, helping them advance along their chosen career path, and giving them the structure and freedom to provide top quality service to every customer.

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Under The Hood

Is the shop heated? Air conditioned?

Yes the shop is heated, not air conditioned.

What is the size of the team I’d be working with?

Typically 3 people on the counter including the manager and assistant manager. Usually a couple ASE techs and a couple tire techs.

What are the shop hours and what are the shift timeframes?

730 to 6 Monday-Saturday, 9-4 Sunday, Shifts normally run 8 hours of business time, 5 days, and 40 hours a week. Managers create weekly schedules to accommodate and balance the needs of employees and customer needs/convenience.

What tools does the shop provide that are available for all technicians to use?

Too numerous to list. Shop scan tool (AUTEL). Fully stocked shop tool cabinet. All Preventive Maintenance equipment. TPMS Tool, battery tester, torque sticks, a variety of specialized tools

What type of break room facility is provided?

This shop does not have a dedicated Break Room. There are a few areas available for breaks (Tire Room, at tool box in shop, etc).

How many bays does your shop have?

There are 5 bays, 3 car lifts, 1 truck lift, and an alignment rack.

How many repair orders do you average per month?

This shop completes between 700-800 repair orders on average per month.

What is your parts ordering process?

Our shop management system is integrated directly to O'Reilly Auto Parts, who shares our facility with us. We rarely wait more than 5 or 10 minutes for them to walk the parts over to our counter.

What is your policy on side work?

VIP Technicians are not prohibited from doing 'side work' out of their home garage. VIP Technicians are forbidden to talk about their side work to any VIP customer.

Are there any other unique features of the work environment worth noting?

At VIP, communication and employee involvement are key parts of our work environment. From shop team meetings every other week, or our annual employee survey and our annual All-Associates Meetings, VIP listens to its employees and takes their feedback to continually make it a better place to work.

Do you offer any skills training or continuing education opportunities?

VIP offers many forms of hands-on training, instructor-led training, and computer-based training. From our industry-best ASE preparation and certification program, to Mentor Technicians, to our in-house Learning Management System (LMS), at VIP our Associates are always learning and advancing their careers.

Can you describe opportunities for career growth at your business?

VIP has structured 7-step Career Paths for both the Technician as well as the Desk. Our Technician career path begins with our Installation Technician program, which includes four levels. Advancement and pay increases are achieved based on acquiring ASE certifications, State Inspection License, and experience. The top three levels of our Technician career path are.

Can you describe your performance review process?

Service Managers have a coaching session with each Associate on a bi-monthly basis to review performance, set objectives, create improvement plans, and discuss career goals.

What type of safety training is required?

Several LMS computer training modules regarding safety. VIP also makes sure that every Associate becomes TIA Certified (Tire Industry Association) which includes lift operation safety. Each location has a designated Safety Monitor who conducts a Safety Audit each month.

Can you describe how Techs work with and mentor younger techs?

VIP has a formal Mentor Technician program where a Certified Master Technician can work directly with a junior-level Technician as a training mentor. Additionally, VIP's focus on learning, team culture and work environment promotes lots of daily interactions between our most experienced Technicians and less experienced Technicians.

How does your shop get involved with the local community?

VIP's primary community support activity is its annual drive for MAKE-A-WISH. The Owner of VIP matches every dollar that is donated. In 2019 our total donation to MAKE-A-WISH was almost $100,000. VIP's marketing team also sponsors many local events and organizations. In fact, VIP will sponsor and support any organization that a VIP employee is directly involved in.

Do you do anything with local high schools or tech schools to encourage more students to enter the profession?

VIP has partnerships with many Tech Schools and High School Automotive programs.

Is there anything else you’d like to mention about career development and community?

Among VIP's 500 employees, approximately 120 are promoted annually.

Do you phone screen applicants before doing in-person interviews?

We typically do in-person interviews after a qualifying application is received and reviewed. Phone screens can be done when an applicant lives out of the region.

What do your in-person interviews entail?

VIP employs a General Scripted Interview (GSI) process, so that questions to candidates are consistent, reducing variation. Interviews are typically performed by the District Manager or Service Manager.

Do you perform background checks, drug screening, or personality tests before hiring an applicant?

VIP performs background checks and requires candidates to pass a drug screen. The Predictive Index (PI Worldwide) is a brief behavioral survey that is completed for applicants for desk positions only.

Do you perform a skill assessment before hiring an applicant? If yes, what does it entail?

No skills assessment is performed prior to hire.

After an in-person interview, approximately how long should I expect to wait for a rejection or an offer?

VIP's District Manager or Service Manager will be in touch with you typically within 48 to 72 hours after your interview.

Approximately how long does the full hiring process take from submitting the application to the time of the hiring decision?

Most hiring decisions are made within a week or two from the time of application.

Is there anything else you’d like to mention about your hiring process?

We encourage all applicants to reach out to the Service Manager at the VIP location after they have submitted their application through the online application portal.

A Level Technician Pay Range: $66,000.00 - $110,000.00/year

VIP's Certified Master Technicians are on VIP's Flat Rate Plus+ pay program which includes the benefits of flat rate (pay based on hours billed) but also includes two more benefits. (1) A 10% Kicker Bonus is paid during any week when Technician is at least 100% productive, and (2) a safety net at 80% productivity, meaning if the Technician bills at least 32 hours during a 40-hour work week, they will be paid for all 40 hours worked.

B Level Technician Pay Range: $55,000.00 - $88,000.00/year

VIP's Technicians are on VIP's Flat Rate Plus+ pay program which includes the benefits of flat rate (pay based on hours billed) but also includes two more benefits. (1) A 10% Kicker Bonus is paid during any week when Technician is at least 100% productive, and (2) a safety net at 80% productivity, meaning if the Technician bills at least 32 hours during a 40-hour work week, they will be paid for all 40 hours worked.

C Level Technician Pay Range: $44,000.00 - $66,000.00/year

Service Advisor Pay Range: $38,000.00 - $56,000.00/year

Service Advisors are paid hourly based on hours worked. Typical schedule is 5 days at 8 hours each day, with some exceptions. Monthly bonus opportunity based on store gross margin and team performance metrics.

Service Manager Pay Range: $60,000.00 - $90,000.00/year

Service Managers are paid a base salary, plus a monthly bonus opportunity based on store gross margin, plus an annual potential to earn a President's Club Bonus. Typical schedule is 50 - 55 hours, open to close 5 days each week, including most Saturdays. (Assistant Manager runs the store the other two days each week when the Manager does not work).

Health Insurance Offered: Harvard Pilgrim program. Three options: (1) Traditional Low Deductible Plan, (2) Lower cost High Deductible Plan with optional Health Savings Account (HSA) and (3) Lowest cost Higher Deductible Plan with optional Health Savings Account (HSA).
Dental Insurance Offered: CIGNA Dental Insurance Plan offered
Vision Insurance Offered: CIGNA Vision Plan offered
Retirement Plan Offered: 401K plan offered with company match. Administered through Alerus.
Sick Leave Offered: Paid sick leave is earned at a rate of 16 hours every 12 months. Unused paid sick leave hours are carried over each year, up to a cap of 40 hours.
Vacation Offered: Paid Vacation is earned based on the following schedule. 40 hours of annual paid vacation time is earned after 1 year of service. Annual paid vacation time increases to 80 hours after 3 years of service. Annual paid vacation time increases to 120 hours after 7 years of service. Annual paid vacation time increases to 160 hours after 15 years of service.
Paid Holidays Offered: Six (6) paid holidays annually. (1) Memorial Day, (2) Independence Day, (3) Labor Day, (4) Thanksgiving Day, (5) Christmas Day, (6) New Years Day.
ST / LT Disability Offered: Short Term Disability and Long Term Disability insurance is offered
Life Insurance Offered: Life insurance is offered
Uniforms Offered: VIP has a uniform rental program with Unifirst for shirts, pants, and jackets.
Other Offered: VIP pays up front for all expenses related ASE study guides, tests and certifications, as well as all training expenses.

Shop Talk

As a WrenchWay Top Shop, we are committed to promoting and improving technician careers!

2:10

Working in a career field that is always changing with technology and best practices means there's always room for more learning and training. At VIP, we didn't want cost to be a barrier for our team members to earn ASEs to advance their careers and expertise, so we decided to pay for everything 100%. Region Director, Paul Boudreau, talks about how VIP's ASE and training compensation plans differ from others in the industry.

1:59

At VIP Tires & Service, we're proud of our culture with our employees and customers. President & CEO Tim Winkeler talks about what our culture means to him.

2:32

At VIP Tires & Service, we have a unique and proven career pathing strategy that puts our technicians in the driving seat of their careers. They control how quickly they advance, how they earn their bonuses and more by following our 7-step career paths. Senior Vice President of Operations and Merchandising, Gary MacCausland, talks about how it sets VIP Tires & Service apart from our competition.

VIP Tires & Service (Belfast, ME) #23 - Technician Jobs in Belfast, ME

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About Us

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Under The Hood

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