Driven by Dedication: Stories from Manheim’s Shop Operations
A core part of Cox Automotive is our Manheim wholesale auction operation. Established in 1945, Manheim has set the industry standard for selling and buying used vehicles — both on-site and online — and is the world’s largest auto auction marketplace.
As senior director of product strategy, I’m constantly exploring emerging technologies to drive productive disruption in the automotive marketplace. But innovation doesn’t happen in a vacuum; it’s shaped by the people closest to the work.
Whenever I am researching a new idea or concept, I start by learning more about the roles that would benefit from the innovation. One of my favorite teams to partner with is our shop operations crew, especially our mechanics who keep vehicles rolling toward the auction block. These teams work together like a finely tuned engine: they act as the eyes and ears of the business to make the right choices for each vehicle while delivering the best value to our clients. From oil changes and tire rotations to engine repair and calibration, their hands-on experience and insights help ground our strategy and move the business forward. Their expertise helps inform how I research and work to deliver valuable change and improvements to the business.
I recently spent time at our Manheim auction site in Central Florida, where I had the opportunity to learn more about the people behind this vital part of our auction business.
Benefits that deliver long-term value
Henry Allende has been part of Manheim for 20 years. He enjoys the variety of makes and models he gets to work on, which keeps his skills sharp and his day-to-day interesting as a senior auto maintenance technician.
Henry also appreciates how his work schedule allows him to enjoy his life outside the shop, and he values the benefits that have supported his family over the years.
Culture that honors service and fuels growth
Donald Salazar began his career as a mechanic in the US Army. After working in several different service formats, he joined Manheim two years ago — and has been delighted ever since.
Donald told me he loves how team-oriented the culture is at Manheim, where everyone comes together to achieve success. He’s also benefited from Manheim’s tool incentive program, which ensured that he had the right tools to deliver high-quality repairs from the very beginning.
As a veteran, Donald says he appreciates how the company celebrates his service while also rewarding growth and learning.
Partnership that drives pride and purpose
Gabriel Romero has been a mechanic for 40 years and joined Manheim two years ago. He values being treated like a true partner — someone whose work directly contributes to the business. Gabriel treats every repair with the utmost care, as if it were a service for a family member's vehicle. The sense of camaraderie at Manheim and the ability to focus on delivering quality work are just some of the reasons Gabriel is excited to be a part of this team.
“I appreciate the professional support that I’ve received from the team, which allows me to focus on completing the right repair for each vehicle,” Gabriel said.
Support systems that keep the shop running
Mechanics may be the face of the repair process, but they’re backed by a skilled support team that keeps everything moving.
Repairs don’t happen without the right parts and quality control — and that’s where Stephanie Howarth and Tammy Simpson come in. With deep automotive expertise, they guide how the repairs are accomplished in the shop.
Whether it’s routine items like oil filters and tires or hard-to-find specialty parts, Stephanie and Tammy are the investigators behind the scenes, solving sourcing challenges and keeping each repair running smoothly.
Tammy, who leads quality control as a body repair tech, loves that her job never gets old: “I’m still learning every day, even though I have been in the automotive space for many years.”
Stephanie explained that a key part of her role as an estimator is ensuring the right parts are delivered on time for each repair.
“We must know what parts the seller wants on their vehicle and how to source the materials with their budget in mind,” she said.
I learned so much from my time with the entire team. None of their roles are easy, and I’m not going to start repairing my own vehicles anytime soon. But I do know where the experts are and how they are truly helping Manheim own the road.
Manheim is just one example of how Cox is at the forefront of bold businesses that make an impact. If you’re driven to make a difference, explore the many ways you can grow your career with us.
Discover career opportunities at Cox and sign up for our Talent Community today!
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