Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Certification
Software
References
Timeline
Generic

Simon Cunado

Darlington,QLD

Summary

Self-motivated professional successful in seizing viable opportunities for expansion and innovation in business. Background in increasing profits, reducing costs and transforming customer service standards. Experienced in leading and supervising.

Creative Business Owner with exceptional background spent in the automotive industry. Proven leader with engaging demeanor and success working in most demanding environments. Talented in training and mentoring successful teams.

Strong leader and problem-solver dedicated to streamlining operations to decrease costs and promote organizational efficiency. Uses independent decision-making skills and sound judgment to positively impact company success. Dedicated Automotive Industry professional with a history of meeting company goals utilizing consistent and organized practices. Skilled in working under pressure and adapting to new situations and challenges to best enhance the organizational brand. Collaborative leader with dedication to partnering with coworkers to promote engaged, empowering work culture. Documented strengths in building and maintaining relationships with diverse range of stakeholders in dynamic, fast-paced settings.

Overview

50
50
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
5
5
years of post-secondary education

Work History

Owner/Head Motor Mechanic

Simon's Car Clinic
07.2001 - Current
  • We started our business in July 2001, my wife and I did letter drops around our immediate area to let people know we were opening and thought that it may take a few weeks to get going, but right from the first day we had work and 22 years on, we are still enjoying a great following. Most of our clients are more like friends and now we are looking after their kids vehicles which we have seen grow up before our eyes.
  • My wife looks after the office duties and I look after the service, repairs, chasing parts, carrying out quotes, organising couriers, sub contractors and make customer invoices.
  • We have had apprentices over the years until mid 2022 and now I work on my own.
  • I hold an A Grade Motor Mechanic and hold a Qld Safety inspectors licence for light vehicles and trailers since 1981 and our business is a Safety inspection station. I also hold a Qld Modification Inspectors licence.

Company Representative

Petron Automotive
07.1997 - 06.2001
  • Petron Automotive offered me the position of Company Representative which I took on and managed to turn that business profitable in by chasing more clients and bringing marketing ideas to increase sales and customer satisfaction.
  • Apart from being a rep I took over the branches (3 of them) when the managers were away on holidays etc and also helped out on the remanufacturing when short staffed. The owners were very happy with my ability to take over these tasks and the way I brought in more clients and profit.

Automotive Service Manager

Keema Automotive Group
11.1988 - 07.1997
  • I became Service Manager at Keema Hyundai, Jaguar, Rover and Subaru dealership after a short time as Service Advisor. I was in charge of 15 Technicians and Apprentices and workshop controller. After a short time I was able to turn the branch profitable much to the delight of the Dealer principle.
  • The branch became Hyundai only in the early nineties and we built up a great customer following. We got so busy that I had to employ more Service advisors.
  • Hyundai Automotive would use my branch as th best example for other dealerships to follow as we had very little customer complaints (if any) and we won Best Service Excellence award in 1994, which took me to South Korea to visit the factory with 12 other Service Managers from around Australia. A great once in a life time event that I cherish.
  • I did not enter the Service Excellence Program in 1995 due to staff issues which took my focus into keeping the Service department ticking over.
  • We won again in 1996 which took me to The United States to visit the Hyundai factory with the other winners from around Australia which was a truly wonderful experience, one that I will always be fond of.

Automotive Service Advisor

Keema Automotive Group
03.1988 - 11.1988
  • I was sent to Mount Gravatt to fill in while someone was on long service leave, however the Service Manager was so impressed in the was I was able to carry out my duties, he decided to keep me and sent the other Service Adviser to another branch on his return.
  • Enjoyed great customer relations and profits increased dramatically.

Automotive Service Advisor

Keema Automotive Group
01.1988 - 03.1988
  • I was sent to fill in while staff were on leave and this branch was Mitsubishi only which was a new challenge and enjoyed it very much.

Automotive Service Manager

Keema Automotive Group
04.1987 - 01.1988
  • I was promoted to Service Manager in the Mazda and Suzuki branch and was part of the implementation and change from manual job cards to computer generated ones. We also had to bring all our customer records from physical files to computer entries which took a lot of after hour and week ends to achieve the end goal.
  • I led a team of about 10 Technicians and Apprentices and an Office clerk. Always had great rapport with staff and clients.
  • I was sent to the Buranda branch to allow the previous Service Manager who had been promoted to Dealer Principle to step back into his job.

Automotive Technician

Keema Automotive Group
04.1985 - 04.1987
  • In 1985 I was sent to the Mount Gravatt branch as they were short staffed. I enjoyed the new challenge of working on Jaguar, Rover, Land Rover, Range Rover as well as Subaru and Volkswagen which I had previously worked on at this branch.

Apprentice Automotive Mechanic

Keema Automotive Group
11.1977 - 04.1985
  • In 1977 there were four Apprentices including myself coming to the end of the four years, two from Stones Corner and two from Mount Gravatt. We were sent to Stones Corner branch for the Service Manager to evaluate which two were going to stay and which two would be let go.
  • I was one of the ones picked to stay and became a Motor Mechanic in December 1977. I attended South Brisbane Technical College for Advanced Automatics and Auto Electrics courses that were held at night and passed those.
  • I just missed out on automatically becoming an A Grade Motor Mechanic by getting a credit instead of an honour on one subject, so I sat the A Grade exam and became and A Grade Motor Mechanic in 1980.
  • In those days you had to be an A Grade to be able to carry out Roadworthy Inspections (now Safety Certificates).
  • I have had Factory training from Mazda, Suzuki, Subaru, Hyundai, Rover, Land Rover and Volkswagen.
  • I have always worked well with others and formed long lasting relationships.
  • I also filled in as Service Advisor and Workshop Foreman in the morning rush when the Repair Orders where hand written.

Apprentice Automotive Mechanic

Keema Automotive Group
12.1973 - 11.1977
  • Started my Automotive Apprenticeship directly after leaving school with The Auto Centre Group at the Mount Gravatt branch (changed the name to Keema Automotive Group in the eighties).
  • The branch sold and service Rambler, Subaru and Volkswagen. It soon dropped Rambler in 1974 and was only Subaru and Volkswagen until I was transferred to another branch late in my fourth year.
  • I attended factory training for Subaru and Volkswagen and was always keen to learn more.
  • I enjoyed my apprenticeship and have very fond memories of my colleagues and mentors. I also enjoyed studying at South Brisbane Technology College (now TAFE) but no longer there due to redevelopment of Southbank and all that surrounding area.
  • I finished my apprenticeship at the Stones Corner branch with Mazda and Suzuki.

Education

No Degree -

Oxley State High School
Oxley, QLD
01.1971 - 12.1973

Saint Marks Catholic Primary School
Inala,Qld
01.1970 - 12.1970

Christ The King Catholic Primary School
Graceville, Qld
01.1969 - 12.1969

Skills

  • Business Management
  • Staff Management
  • Leadership Ability
  • Technical Expertise
  • Time Management
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Industry Knowledge
  • Quality Control
  • Customer Service

Accomplishments

. Hyundai Service Excellence award winner 1994 and 1996 with trips to Hyundai factory in South Korea and the USA.

. Consistently exceeded labour targets as Service Manager 1988 to 1997.

. Promoted to Service Manager on merits achieved as Service Advisor.

. Received Honours and Credits in my apprenticeship.

Certification

. South Brisbane Technical College 1974 - 1978. Trade certificate Motor Mechanic.

. South Brisbane Technical College 1979 - 1980, Advanced Automatics and Electrics.

. A Grade Motor Mechanic since 1981.

. Qld Safety Certificate Inspector since 1981.

. Qld Approved Person Scheme for Modification plates.

. Certificate IV in Train the Trainer Gold Coast TAFE, 2015.

. Open Qld License C class.

. Marine License.

Software

MYOB

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

Owner/Head Motor Mechanic

Simon's Car Clinic
07.2001 - Current

Company Representative

Petron Automotive
07.1997 - 06.2001

Automotive Service Manager

Keema Automotive Group
11.1988 - 07.1997

Automotive Service Advisor

Keema Automotive Group
03.1988 - 11.1988

Automotive Service Advisor

Keema Automotive Group
01.1988 - 03.1988

Automotive Service Manager

Keema Automotive Group
04.1987 - 01.1988

Automotive Technician

Keema Automotive Group
04.1985 - 04.1987

Apprentice Automotive Mechanic

Keema Automotive Group
11.1977 - 04.1985

Apprentice Automotive Mechanic

Keema Automotive Group
12.1973 - 11.1977

No Degree -

Oxley State High School
01.1971 - 12.1973

Saint Marks Catholic Primary School
01.1970 - 12.1970

Christ The King Catholic Primary School
01.1969 - 12.1969

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Simon Cunado