Internet Sales Assistant in Wallingford, Connecticut at Wow Toyota of Wallingford

About Wow Toyota of Wallingford

Toyota of Wallingford is an equal opportunity employer with a diverse staff of qualified individuals. We are not your typical "car dealership". Our motto is that we sell cars and have fun while doing it and we aim to provide the wow factor during every interaction. We take pride in our commitment to our employees, with many of them having made this their career for more than 20 years. We are always striving to grow and value the unique contribution that each of our teammates brings to the company.

We offer a variety of benefits including: paid holidays; generous sick and vacation policies; medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; 401K programs with employer match; paid training; opportunities for growth; and employee recognition/celebrations!

About The Role

As an Internet Sales Assistant in our Sales department, you will be a key member of our Business Development Center (BDC), serving as the first point of contact for customers inquiring online or by phone about our vehicles. This hourly, full-time role focuses on creating a positive first impression, engaging prospective buyers, answering questions about our inventory, and persuading customers to visit the dealership for in-person appointments. You will work closely with the BDC and sales teams to ensure a smooth handoff from initial inquiry to showroom visit, contributing directly to appointment show rates and vehicle sales. Compensation includes a base hourly rate plus a monthly bonus tied to successful appointments and closed sales.

What You'll Do

• Handle inbound internet and phone leads promptly and professionally, delivering an exceptional customer service experience.
• Persuade prospective customers to schedule showroom or virtual appointments through effective communication and follow-up.
• Use your vehicle knowledge to answer product questions and present features, benefits, and options clearly and accurately.
• Qualify leads by identifying customer needs, purchase timelines, and interests, and document this information in the CRM.
• Make outbound calls, send emails, and text messages to follow up with internet leads and previous customers.
• Coordinate closely with the BDC and showroom sales teams to ensure a seamless transition from appointment to sales process.
• Maintain an organized schedule of appointments and follow-ups to meet or exceed daily, weekly, and monthly contact goals.
• Track all customer interactions and appointment outcomes in the CRM system with a high level of accuracy and detail.
• Contribute to a positive, team-oriented environment within the BDC, supporting colleagues and sharing best practices.
• Stay current on Toyota models and features, as well as competing products, promotions, and dealership offerings.
• Assist with special campaigns or promotions by reaching out to targeted customer lists and promoting current offers.
• Consistently work toward monthly goals related to set appointments, show rates, and vehicle sales that drive bonus eligibility.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 1 year of experience in a Business Development Center (BDC) or similar automotive internet sales/customer contact role.
• Strong customer service skills with the ability to build rapport quickly over the phone, email, and text.
• Proven ability to persuade customers to schedule and keep sales appointments.
• Basic to intermediate vehicle knowledge; familiarity with automotive terminology and features.
• Toyota product knowledge preferred or willingness and ability to learn quickly.
• Prior sales experience, preferably in an automotive or retail environment.
• Clear, professional phone skills and excellent verbal and written communication in English.
• Comfort using CRM systems and basic computer applications for data entry, scheduling, and communication.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple leads and follow-ups in a fast-paced environment.
• Team-oriented mindset with a desire to collaborate and contribute to BDC and dealership sales goals.
• Availability to work a full-time, hourly schedule, including evenings and weekends as needed.
• Reliable, self-motivated, and goal-driven, with a track record of meeting or exceeding performance targets.