As a service station owner, there comes a point where doing everything yourself becomes unsustainable. If you’re constantly covering shifts, solving every problem, and handling all admin, it might be time to bring in a site manager.

But when is the right time?

A good indicator is when day-to-day operations are taking time away from growing your business. If you’re unable to focus on strategy, supplier negotiations, or marketing because you’re too busy filling gaps in the roster or handling staff issues, it’s time to delegate.

Hiring a site manager isn’t just about offloading tasks. It’s about building a team that can run the site confidently in your absence. Look for someone with strong communication skills, a calm presence under pressure, and a solid understanding of retail or fuel environments. Ideally, they’ll already be part of your team and ready to step up.

Training is crucial. Start by clearly outlining expectations – from staff supervision to customer service and daily reporting. Provide checklists, procedures, and ongoing mentoring. Shadowing you for a few weeks helps them understand how you handle key responsibilities.

Encourage your new manager to lead team meetings, manage stock levels, and track performance metrics. Most importantly, give them the authority to make decisions while supporting them if mistakes happen early on.

Promoting or hiring a manager can feel like a big shift, but it’s often the move that allows your business to scale. With the right support, they’ll help drive consistency, improve morale, and give you the freedom to work on the business instead of in it.

For the latest retailer news and information, check out the ServoPro website or to speak to us about how we can help your business contact us.