Parts Manager

Summary:

North Central International is a full-service International Truck dealer group with locations across Minnesota, Northern Iowa, North Dakota and South Dakota. We offer truck sales and service, parts sales, and Idealease truck leasing/rentals. Our primary focus is to keep customers on the road by having an exceptional experience within our organizations.

The Parts Department Manager is responsible for the overall success of the parts department, ensuring it operates efficiently, profitably, and in alignment with dealership goals. This role involves forecasting departmental objectives, managing inventory, and leading a high-performing team through effective hiring, training, and performance monitoring. The manager ensures timely parts availability for the service department, body shop, wholesale clients, and retail customers while minimizing obsolescence and maintaining a balanced inventory.

Key responsibilities include pricing strategy development, sales and expense analysis, customer satisfaction management, and coordination of shipping and receiving operations. The Parts Manager works closely with other departments to ensure timely service turnaround, compliance with safety and regulatory standards, and professional, customer-oriented service delivery. This position also involves developing sales promotions, managing co-op advertising opportunities, handling customer complaints, and overseeing departmental financial accountability.

Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills are essential, along with a deep understanding of inventory systems, manufacturer relationships, and dealership operations.

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Education:

• • High school diploma or equivalent required;

1. Experience:

• • Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in an automotive parts department.
  • At least 2 years of supervisory or management experience in a dealership or similar environment.

1. Knowledge & Skills:

• • Strong knowledge of automotive parts, inventory management, and OEM systems.
  • Proficiency with dealer management systems (e.g., CDK, Reynolds & Reynolds) and parts catalog software.
  • Excellent leadership, communication, and customer service skills.
  • Solid understanding of sales forecasting, pricing strategies, and financial reporting.

1. Certifications (preferred but not required):

• • ASE Parts Specialist Certification.
  • OEM training certifications from major automotive brands.

1. Other Requirements:

• • Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
  • Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and perform duties in a warehouse environment.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Recruit, Hire, and Train Staff : Select qualified candidates for parts department roles, onboard new employees, and ensure ongoing training and development to maintain high performance standards.
• Motivate and Lead the Team : Foster a positive work environment that encourages teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Monitor Employee Performance : Regularly evaluate staff productivity, accuracy, and customer service, providing coaching, feedback, and corrective action as needed.
• Schedule and Assign Duties : Create efficient work schedules and delegate tasks to ensure proper coverage and smooth daily operations.
• Conduct Regular Meetings : Hold weekly team meetings to communicate goals, review performance, and discuss departmental updates or issues.
• Enforce Policies and Procedures : Ensure all team members comply with dealership policies, safety protocols, and industry regulations (e.g., OSHA, Right-to-Know).
• Promote a Culture of Safety and Compliance : Supervise safe handling, storage, and disposal of parts and chemicals; maintain up-to-date MSDS sheets and equipment training.
• Resolve Staff Conflicts : Address interpersonal issues promptly and professionally to maintain team cohesion and productivity.

Essential Functions:

1. Department Leadership & Oversight

• • Direct all operations of the parts department, ensuring alignment with dealership goals for productivity, profitability, and customer satisfaction.

1. Inventory Management

• • Maintain proper inventory levels to support service, collision, wholesale, and retail needs while minimizing excess and obsolete stock.

1. Staff Management

• • Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate parts department employees; assign daily responsibilities and manage performance.

1. Customer Service

• • Ensure exceptional service for both internal (service and body shop) and external (retail and wholesale) customers; resolve complaints professionally and promptly.

1. Sales & Profitability

• • Set pricing strategies and gross profit goals; track parts sales and expenses monthly to ensure profitability targets are met.

1. Process & Compliance Oversight

• • Supervise parts ordering, receiving, storage, and return processes; ensure compliance with dealership policies, manufacturer guidelines, and regulatory requirements.

1. Interdepartmental Collaboration

• • Work closely with the service and body shop departments to ensure timely availability of parts for repairs and internal work orders.

1. Operational Efficiency

• • Analyze and revise department workflows and storage layouts to improve efficiency, accuracy, and safety.

1. Reporting & Documentation

• • Prepare and maintain accurate records of inventory, lost sales, returns, co-op advertising, and departmental metrics.

1. Meetings & Communication

• • Attend dealership leadership meetings; conduct regular department meetings to communicate goals, procedures, and updates.