Fuel Station Manager – Job Description, Roles and Responsibilities

The primary function of a fuel station is to provide automotive fuels such as diesel fuel, gasoline, etc. to car owners and motorists. A fuel station manager, otherwise known as a gas station manager, oversees the fuel and store operations at a gas station. Moreover, the managers must maintain the fuel pumps and storage tanks so they function safely and efficiently.

The position of a fuel station manager is a very lucrative profession that provides you with the opportunity to know more about the oil and gas sector even without the proper knowledge in the field. However, modern retail fuel stations do more than just provide fuel for car owners and motorists. Most fuel stations now have stores that offer convenience food, cold drinks, fresh coffee, paper goods, medicines, newspapers, magazines, drive-through car washes, ATMs, etc. Whereas some still offer the services of mechanics and auto technicians.

Therefore, depending on the station, the position of a fuel station manager can be stressful and time-consuming. Although larger gas stations might have a team of cashiers, attendants, and mechanics, all of whom fall under the supervision of the gas station manager. As the managers in the aforementioned stores must handle or manage several duties at once.

To sum up, securing a job to become a fuel station manager will foster a lot of experience and knowledge in the long run. Just dive in if you’re interested in becoming a fuel station manager as we explore everything you need to know about the position of a professional fuel station manager, responsibilities, skills required for the role, and more.

What is a Fuel Station Manager?

A fuel station manager, otherwise known as a gas station manager, oversees the fuel and store operations at a gas station.

Gas Station Managers are responsible for day-to-day operations, ordering, scheduling, training, supervising employees, store image, profits, all controllable expenses, labor, inventory, cash, and shortages. They must determine stock needs, interact positively with vendors and customers, monitor receiving goods, maintain inventory and minimize waste and pilferage.

Moreover, on certain occasions, the gas station manager will have a shift with other employees and other times manage the store operations at the gas station on their own. Their responsibilities include meeting customers’ needs, maintaining the facilities, and helping people pump gas in their cars as needed.

Furthermore, as a gas station manager, you supervise employees, which entails training new workers and creating a work schedule. You are also responsible for managing sales at your gas station and making sure employees are meeting sales quotas.

Roles and Responsibilities of a Fuel Station Manager

The primary duties of a gas  station manager are as follows:

• Hire, recruit and train service station staff.
• Assign, schedule, and monitor the tasks of service station personnel.
• Greet and courteously receive customers and guests.
• Answer and resolve customer needs and objectives.
• Ensure a joyous experience to customers and guests through cool pleasant services.
• Participate in cross-functional team meetings and events to enhance the quality of services.
• Maintain inventory controls of materials, items, and products.
• Bill and collect payments from customers for services rendered.
• Maintain the service station premises in a neat and organized manner.
• Maintain good relationships with the vendors and suppliers.

How to Become a Gas Station Manager

Moreover, if you’re interested in becoming a fuel station manager, one of the first things to consider is how much education you need. According to research, 36.0% of fuel station managers have a bachelor’s degree. In terms of higher education levels, 6.6% of gas station managers have master’s degrees. Even though some station managers have a college degree, it’s possible to become one with only a high school degree or GED.

You also may find that experience in other jobs will help you become a fuel station manager. Many fuel station manager jobs require experience in a role such as Cashier. Meanwhile, many gas station managers also have previous career experience in roles such as Manager or Customer Service Representative.

However, it takes several qualifications to become a successful gas station manager. Although there are no specific education requirements, you need relevant experience to be a manager. You need to develop leadership skills, as you oversee several employees. You also need strong time management skills, as you manage not only your own time but also your employees’ schedules.

Furthermore, it’s beneficial to have excellent customer service skills and plenty of experience working with people. You can become a gas station manager by working your way up from an entry-level position at a gas station. Another option is to gain manager experience at another store or location.

Average Salary of a Fuel Station Manager

According to the Economic Research Institute, gas station managers in the United States of America make an average salary of $57,732 per year or $28 per hour. The top 10 percent of managers with at least a high school education make over $88,000 per year, while the bottom 10 percent is under $37,000 per year.

However, factors like the station’s location, the skills required, the type of station it is, the experience the candidate has will determine the amount a person makes in the position of the gas station manager.

The Skillset of a Fuel Station Manager

Furthermore, an individual seeking or already in the position of a gas station manager should also possess the following proficiency for steady success:

• Leadership Skills: The ability to settle disputes and make difficult decisions when required while keeping employees motivated and organized
• Customer Service Skills: The ability to interact with clients, workers, and vendors to guarantee smooth transactions in a cordial and optimistic manner
• Time Management Skills: The capability for creating schedules and making certain day-to-day duties are met.
• Communication Skills: Writing or speaking competency to ensure successful interactions with the public, workers, and dealers.
• Basic Math Skills: The capability to create and successfully follow a budget and make payroll.
• Analytical Prowess: The ability to be a good judge of character is required for successful hires and in solving difficulties during work hours.

Duties of a Fuel Station Manager

Moreover, below are the overall skills and duties of a gas station manager:

Oversee promotional sales prices

Ensure that sale prices and promotions are passed through the register as they should.

Use different communication channels

Use various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital, and telephonic communication to construct and share information and ideas.

Set sales objectives

Set sales goals and objectives to be reached by a sales team within a period such as a target amount of sales made and new customers found.

Handle financial transactions of gas station

Report fuel transactions and supplies purchases; operate computerized cash registers; process credit card transactions and cash purchases; compose balance sheets; operate cash drawers and carry out cash deposits.

Supervise the delivery of fuel

Oversee fuel deliveries to the service station.

Adjust fuel costs in line with company policies

Monitor fuel prices daily and adjust whenever necessary; ensure compliance to company procedures.

Oversee merchandise displays

Work closely together with visual display staff to decide how items should be displayed, in order to maximize customer interest and product sales.

Guarantee correct goods labeling

Ensure that goods are labeled with all necessary labeling information (e.g. legal, technological, hazardous, and others) regarding the product. Ensure that labels respect the legal requirements and adhere to regulations.

Obtain relevant licenses

Comply with specific legal regulations, e.g. install the necessary systems and provide the necessary documentation, in order to obtain the relevant license.

Maintain relationships with customers

Build a lasting and meaningful relationship with customers in order to ensure satisfaction and fidelity by providing accurate and friendly advice and support, by delivering quality products and services, and by supplying after-sales information and service.

Set up pricing strategies

Apply methods used for setting product value taking into consideration market conditions, competitor actions, input costs, and others.

Perform fuel reconciliation

Refill fuel tanks in exchange for money.

Supervise workers on operating gas pumps

Supervise employees’ activities on operating the fuel pumps and ensure the safety of their operations.

Manage staff

Manage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximize their performance and contribution. Schedule their work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the workers to meet the company objectives. Monitor and estimate how an employee undertakes their responsibilities and how well these activities are executed. Identify areas for improvement and make suggestions to achieve this. Lead a group of people to help them achieve goals and maintain an effective working relationship among staff.

Monitor client service

Ensure all employees are providing excellent customer service in accordance with company policy.

Negotiate buying conditions

Negotiate terms such as price, quantity, quality, and delivery terms with vendors and suppliers in order to ensure the most beneficial buying conditions.

Study sales levels of products

Collect and analyze sales levels of products and services in order to use this information for determining the quantities to be produced in the following batches, customer feedback, price trends, and the efficiency of sales methods.

Maximize sales revenues

Increase possible sales volumes and avoid losses through cross-selling, upselling, or promotion of additional services.

Manage theft prevention

Apply theft and robbery prevention; monitor security surveillance equipment; enforce security procedures if needed.

Apply procurement

Undertake to order of services, equipment, goods, or ingredients, compare costs and check the quality to ensure optimal payoff for the organization.

Manage budgets

Conduct cost estimates and budget planning. Monitor the budget, as well as costs and expenses. Forecast the budget development continuously. Report on the budget.

Negotiate sales contracts

Come to an agreement between commercial partners with a focus on terms and conditions, specifications, delivery time, price, etc.

Prepare reports on fuel sold in the fuel station

Prepare and make up regular reports on the types and amounts of fuel, oil, and other accessories sold in fuel stations over a period of time.

Recruit employees

Hire new employees by scoping the job role, advertising, performing interviews, and selecting staff in line with company policy and legislation.

Adhere to organizational guidelines

Adhere to organizational or department-specific standards and guidelines. Understand the motives of the organization and the common agreements and act accordingly.

Maintain relationships with suppliers

Build a lasting and meaningful relationship with suppliers and service providers in order to establish a positive, profitable and enduring collaboration, co-operation, and contract negotiation.

Ensure compliance with purchasing and contracting regulations

Implement and monitor company activities in compliance with legal contracting and purchasing legislations.

Order supplies

Command products from relevant suppliers to get convenient and profitable products to purchase.

Enforce fuel storage regulations

Enforce fuel storage regulations, in accordance with governmental and environmental policies and regulations.

Organize operations within the fuel station

Schedule and direct the daily activities in a fuel station.

Apply health and safety standards

Adhere to standards of hygiene and safety established by respective authorities.

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Bottom Line

In conclusion, turning profit is the ultimate goal of running a business. In order to achieve this, the fuel station manager should be able to create a balanced budget, purchase supplies and stock based on previous sales, and practice loss prevention. That’s all for now, you can click here if you would like to know what kind of career and professions suit you best.