MB Master Guild tech looking to relocate
 

I thought I'd post this on here, with a chance that someone might have some leads for me.
I'm looking for a Shop Foreman or Team Leader position at an MB dealer, due to the continually worse economy here in northeast Ohio. Can't keep making less money every year!! So time to move on.. I would consider most anywhere, we have some property in Colorado, where we are planning on retiring, so that might be ideal, but I'm open to offers!
I have 20 years experience, am a Master Guild tech and have strong diagnostic skills. My CSI and productivity is always the best in the best in the shop, and I have been the working shop foreman for the last 5 years. Strong leadership and people skills have been a big help with that.
Let me know if anyone knows of a place looking.

Mail/ fax your resume to all of the Mercedes Benz dealer you can find, by doing an on line search. If you were a transmission technician(rebuilder) I would hirer you.

Good luck.

The dealers HERE in Atlanta are always looking for techs...3 of the 4 dealers are air conditioned!

Might want to consider the DFW area. We have 4 Mercedes Dealers, and lots of independents in the Metroplex. Housing is very inexpensive compared to rest of the nation. About $75 a square foot for track homes. $100-120 for custom homes, $200 for McMansions.
But it does get hot in the summer, you sort of get used to it. And your AC WILL work well, or else!!!!
The DFW area is about a 12-14 hour drive to the Creed or Denver area.

Dave

The Dealers are Park Place Mercedes (3 locations) and ********

California
 

California is always looking for good techs, but be careful, the cost of living out here is over twice almost anywhere else in the country. Two indicators, median house price in Thousand Oaks is over $600,000. The other is a loaf of good old white bread is $3.00. On the other side, there are a lot of MB's out here.

My neighbor is a dealer technician at the local Mercedes dealer, Penske Mercedes in Covina, CA.

He tells me that they are always open to hire experienced techs.

However, the cost of living in So. Cal. is expensive. The price of real estate is ludicrous. An average home in that area would run you at least $550,000, and it is a house you wouldn't want to live in.

I'd suggest the Atlanta / DFW area. They are extremely affordable places to live, and have a great standard of living.

What about an Independent, exclusively Mercedes shop in Cincinnati? Also there are 2 MB dealers in Cincy plus one up the road in Centerville(Dayton area) Cost of living here would be equal or better than NE Ohio plus a little less snow.

If you can handle the heat ..
 

Come down to Houston. There are 5 dealers in and just outside the city and a ton of Benz's on the road. The cost of living here is in line with other cities mentioned and the people here are friendly. ;)

Good Luck

Come to New England. Tons of MB's, and lots and lots of dealers. Can't throw a rock without hitting an E320/350 it seems.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone- I was hoping for someone that knew of an opening- not just general areas- but that will be next, if I don't find something. Can always get a job- just looking for the right one!!
New England might be something- my wife is originally from CT- she might like that.

MBtech21,

If I were you, I'd figure out where I wanted to be first. Then use Google to find the MB dealers and Indies in that location. With your experience, I would think they'd be real interested in talking to you. Set up an interview, and take a "vacation" to that area.

I'm no tax accountant, but I believe you can deduct some travel expenses if you're looking for work.

If you're serious about New England, summer is the time to visit. :wink3: Why not kill 2 birds with one stone?

I'm outside Portland, ME and we are currently a one-dealer market (which has always seemed remarkable to me), but I thought there was a new dealership opening here soon.

Jeff Pierce

call Barrier motors in Bellevue washington (do dex search) big dealer lots of work, top notch dealer on the west coast. hope this helps.
joe:)

I would think investigating the city you and your wife would like to relocate to would preceed the job hunt, then again I am a prudent man.

Just another .02 :D

Would you consider?...
 

Buying into an existing indie shop?

I can think of two situations that are possibles. One in Houston, the other in So Cal.

Drop me a PM if you think that's aan avenue to explore.

Kevin

1. What is your CURRENT certification level? (As defined by MB SOE)
2. Have you been to W221, Maybach, or SLR training?
3. Have you attended any of the the Shop Foremen's Meetings (national or
regional) in the last couple of years?
4. Do you regularly participate in the monthly Shop Foremen's Conference
Call?
5. Do you have at least one hundred MB training credits?

As you already know, earning a Team Leader/Shop Foreman title isn't easy. For obvious reasons, it's extremely rare for an MB dealership to hire someone new for those positions. However, if you can answer "YES" to questions 2-5, then question #1 doesn't really matter. All you need to do is find a dealership in need of a good decision-maker (that's the toughest part of the job), located in a town or city that's agreeable with your life-style. Good luck in your search.