Automotive Parts Specialist Job Description

Auto Parts Manager in a Fleet Management Environment

The operations department of fleet owners has auto parts managers working there. They are responsible for making sure the outlet has the right parts mix and inventory levels to meet demand. Parts managers make an important contribution to productivity, profitability and customer satisfaction by maintaining an efficient parts operation.

Parts managers have to make decisions. In a franchised dealership, they have to keep stock of the replacement parts that the service department needs in order to carry out scheduled servicing and repairs. In an independent service center or parts factory, the parts manager has to make decisions about inventory because they have to cover the needs of different manufacturers.

Managers look at stock usage to identify parts and products that are only needed occasionally. Parts managers must identify suppliers that can provide replacement parts that meet auto manufacturers' specifications. They purchase original parts from the manufacturer.

They can source popular parts from independent parts manufacturers who meet quality standards. Parts managers negotiate terms with suppliers to improve profitability. Parts managers are responsible for sales to external customers, as well as supplying parts for their company's service operations.

The company may have a parts counter. The parts counter offers a variety of accessories and service parts. The parts manager may also have a team of sales representatives who deal with fleet operators.

The Pay and Benefits of Part Specialist Candidates

The minimum requirement to become a parts specialist is a high school degree, although some companies may prefer applicants with an associate's degree in a relevant subject. Parts specialists need to know the parts and equipment they oversee. Employers prefer candidates with sales or managerial experience if the role involves purchasing.

The median annual salary for parts specialists is over $37,000. The parts specialists in the 10th percentile make around $20,000 annually, while the highest paid earn over $55,000 a year. Top earners can take home bonuses of up to $8,000 and can also take home profit-sharing opportunities of up to $10,000.

The Pay of a Parts Professional

A parts professional is expected to be helpful. It is different from other types of customer service jobs. Sales associates can receive on-the-job training to help them understand the products being sold.

A parts professional has an advantage over other types of sales associates because of their industry knowledge. A parts professional has been able to get a good amount of information about the products that are sold in an auto parts store. There are seminars, workshops and online courses that give more information auto parts.

The composition of vehicles continues to change with the advancement of manufacturing and technology. Staying current is important for a parts professional as education continues even while on the job. Individuals who get an education as an auto mechanic will be able to work in parts.

The hands-on training that is involved in a parts professional education is different from an auto mechanic education. Parts specialists deal with automotive knowledge, while auto mechanics do the actual repair work. Parts professionals do not spend time training in repair shops.

Parts professionals provide a lot of needed service in the automotive industry, so they are still worth the extra work. A parts specialist certification from the ASE could lead to a lot of new job opportunities. It is a more convenient way to market parts professionals.

Experience in Automotive Parts Management

A parts specialist is responsible for the maintenance and sale of inventory at an automotive care center, dealership, or other business that provides automotive equipment and supplies. As a parts specialist, you may be responsible for purchasing parts, maintaining inventory, and overseeing the delivery of parts to and from their location. Depending on the work environment, you may act as a sales representative and answer customer inquiries about various equipment and machine parts.

You need relevant work experience and professional training to be a parts specialist, but the career qualifications for that job are different. If the job involves purchasing, some employers may prefer candidates with managerial or supervisory experience. You need to be at least 18 years of age and have a valid driver's license to become a parts specialist.

Experience working in the automotive industry is included in further qualifications. You need skills in budgeting, inventory, or warehousing to deal with large volumes of wholesale product. Basic knowledge of car parts and their uses is required of parts specialists, as well as an understanding of car, truck, or general vehicle repair.

The Auto Parts Manager

The parts department is run by auto parts managers. They manage the parts inventory to meet the requirements of the service department and external customers, as well as recruit and manage parts assistants and sales executives. Parts managers have a lot of experience in the automotive aftermarket, which is why they don't need formal qualifications.

Parts managers sell replacement parts to businesses. They can sell parts and accessories at a retail counter. Sales skills are important to parts managers, whether they handle sales personally or manage a team of parts sales executives.

They must be able to identify prospects, negotiate discounts, and run promotions. If they manage a sales team, they must be able to develop skills and product knowledge, motivate executives, and set compensation packages that deliver results. Product knowledge is important to the job.

The skills of a parts manager include being able to identify the right part for the job and provide advice on fitting. They must keep up to date with any changes to the vehicle's specifications. Administrative skills are important because of the scale and complexity of auto parts inventories.

Parts managers need to organize and record incoming and outgoing parts. They must make sure that parts are categorized correctly to reduce the risk of incorrect choices and delays in finding the right parts. The parts department's best practices are dictated by the parts managers.

Automotive Service Advisors

If you want variety, becoming an automotive service advisor is a great career choice. Depending on the job, you could be involved in a variety of tasks, from estimating collision damage in a range of workplace to working with customers and technicians. An automotive service advisor needs to be able to communicate effectively with both the technician and the customer.

They must explain repair recommendations to their customers in a way that is understandable. Good comprehension skills are dependent on having extensive mechanical and engineering knowledge. The technical aspects of your automotive service training will definitely come in handy, but the learning won't stop after graduation.

You will need to constantly refresh and update your knowledge as your career progresses. The old saying that anything can go wrong, will go wrong is a common one in automotive careers. Repairs will run behind schedule, or customers might change their mind about a service request.

As service advisors are involved in all aspects of shop business, you need to be able to think on your feet and solve problems quickly. Good literacy and numeracy skills are required of service advisors to calculate and prepare estimates. Being good with numbers and writing is important, as you will need to order parts, take inventory, and send invoices.

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanicians: Career Opportunities in the Next Decade

Most automotive service technicians and mechanics work in well-ventilated and well-lit repair shops. Although technicians often fix automotive problems with computers, they often work with greasy parts and tools in uncomfortable positions. Over the next decade, about 69,000 openings for automotive service technicians and mechanics are projected.

Most of the openings are expected to be caused by the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or retire. Service technicians work in well-ventilated and well-lit repair shops, and they stand for most of the day. Although technicians often fix automotive problems with computers, they often work with greasy parts and tools in uncomfortable positions.

Vocational or postsecondary education programs in automotive service technology are considered the best way to get into entry-level positions. Programs last 6 months to a year and provide intensive career preparation through classroom instruction and hands-on practice. There are short-term certificate programs in a particular subject.

Customer-service skills are required. Service technicians talk to their customers about automotive problems. Workers need to be good listeners and ready to answer customers' questions because they depend on repeat clients.

There are mechanical skills. Service technicians need to know how to interact with engine components and systems. They have to take apart major parts for repairs and put them back together.

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanicians: The Holland Code Framework

The Holland Code framework states that automotive service technicians and mechanics have an interest in the Building and Thinking areas. The focus of the Building interest area is on working with tools and machines. The thinking interest area focuses on researching, investigating and increasing the understanding of natural laws.

If you don't know if you have a Building or Thinking interest that would fit with a career as an automotive service techniciand mechanic, you can take a career test. Customer-service skills are required. Service technicians must talk to their customers about automotive problems.

Workers need to be good listeners and ready to answer customers' questions because they depend on repeat clients. The median annual wage for automotive service technicians and mechanics was $42,090 in May. Half of the workers in an occupation earn more than the median wage, and half earn less.

Auto mechanics: A job description

The primary duties of tire technicians are to service, repair and replace car tires to create a fuel-efficient and smooth ride for the driver. They are knowledgeable about various tire types and treads. A tire technician can be employed by a tire specialty repair shop or by a larger automotive technician team at a large auto body shop.

The primary duties of auto mechanics are to carry out routine maintenance. They work on motorized components. The mechanic can use the diagnostic testing machine to tell them what repairs are required.

The mechanic may need to change the motor parts. When a vehicle is returned to its owner, auto mechanics make sure it is safe to operate. Tow truck drivers are on call to attend to disabled or damaged vehicles.

They are responsible for securing disabled vehicles to their tow truck by using a chain, winch, steering locks, and indicator lights. They take the vehicles to a repair shop. They should have a basic knowledge of cars and car parts to help and determine if the vehicle can be fixed without a tow.