| Detail | For this role |
|---|---|
| Department | Automobile Dealership |
| Level | Manager |
| Reports to | Dealership General Manager |
| Direct reports | Spare Parts Executive |
| Experience | 6 to 10 years in auto parts with supervision |
Parts Manager job description template
Copy this job description, replace the text in square brackets and post it on your careers page or a job portal.
Job title: Parts Manager
Department: Automobile Dealership
Reports to: Dealership General Manager
Location: [City], [office, branch or site]
About the role
A Parts Manager runs the spare parts department of a dealership, balancing quick availability against the cost of holding stock. They manage parts inventory, counter and workshop supply, ordering from the manufacturer, and the parts revenue and margin. The role reports to the Dealership General Manager or After Sales Manager. A good parts manager keeps the fill rate high so the workshop never waits, controls slow and dead stock, orders smartly against demand, hits parts revenue and margin targets, and keeps counter service quick for both workshop and retail customers.
Key responsibilities
- Manage spare parts inventory so common parts are available without overstocking.
- Order parts from the manufacturer against demand, service load and lead time.
- Keep the workshop supplied so jobs are not held up for want of a part.
- Run the parts counter for workshop, retail and mechanic customers with quick service.
- Control slow moving and dead stock and clear it before it locks up capital.
- Hit parts revenue and margin targets and grow retail and accessory parts sales.
- Maintain stock accuracy through regular physical counts and system reconciliation.
- Handle warranty and defective part returns to the manufacturer correctly.
- Set reorder levels and safety stock for fast and critical parts.
- Lead the parts team on service, billing accuracy and stock discipline.
Requirements
- Diploma or graduate in any stream
- Automobile parts or inventory training is an advantage
- Knowledge of parts numbering and the dealer system
- 6 to 10 years in auto parts with supervision
KRAs and KPIs for a Parts Manager
Key result areas for the appraisal form, each with a KPI you can measure every month or quarter.
| Key result area | How to measure it |
|---|---|
| Fill rate | Parts availability fill rate for workshop demand above the agreed level |
| Inventory health | Slow and dead stock kept below the agreed share of inventory |
| Stock accuracy | Physical to system stock accuracy above the agreed level |
| Parts revenue | Monthly parts revenue and margin targets achieved |
| Inventory days | Parts inventory days held within the agreed range |
| Counter service | Counter issue time kept within the agreed target |
Skills and tools
Tools used day to day: Dealer management system, Manufacturer parts portal, MS Excel, Barcode scanners, Inventory software.
Reporting line and career path
Next roles: Dealership General Manager, After Sales Manager, Regional Parts Head
Interview questions for a Parts Manager
- How do you keep the fill rate high without piling up stock?
- How do you clear slow moving and dead parts stock?
- How do you set reorder levels for fast and critical parts?
- How do you keep physical and system stock accurate?
- How do you grow retail parts and accessory sales?
- How do you handle warranty and defective part returns to the manufacturer?
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What does a Parts Manager do at a dealership?
A Parts Manager runs the spare parts department. They manage inventory so parts are available without overstocking, order from the manufacturer against demand, supply the workshop, run the counter and control slow and dead stock. They own parts revenue, margin and stock accuracy, and lead the parts team.
What is the difference between a Parts Manager and a Spare Parts Executive?
A Spare Parts Executive works the counter, issues parts and keeps stock records. A Parts Manager owns the whole department: inventory strategy, ordering, revenue, margin and dead stock, and leads the executives. The executive serves; the manager plans and answers for the parts business.
What skills does a Parts Manager need?
The role needs strong parts inventory and stock control, demand based ordering and margin management, plus command of the dealer management system and parts numbering. Add counter service, warranty return handling and team supervision. The balance between fill rate and inventory cost is the heart of the job.