OUTSIDE PARTS SALES REPRESENTATIVE

Outside Parts Sales Representative

The basic function of the Outside Parts Sales Representative is to develop, maintain, and grow profitable relationships with wholesale automotive parts customers within an assigned territory. This position is responsible for promoting and selling automotive parts, accessories, and related products while providing exceptional customer service and identifying new business opportunities.

The Outside Parts Sales Representative serves as a trusted business partner to independent repair facilities, body shops, fleet accounts, municipalities, commercial customers, and other wholesale accounts. The position is responsible for increasing sales and market share through regular customer visits, relationship development, product knowledge, competitive market awareness, and effective follow-up.

The Outside Parts Sales Representative works closely with the Parts Department, Parts Counter Representatives, Delivery Drivers, Service Department, and dealership management to ensure customer needs are met accurately, efficiently, and professionally.

Responsibilities include developing and maintaining strong, professional, and profitable relationships with existing wholesale customers; identifying, prospecting, and soliciting new wholesale business within the assigned territory; conducting regular in-person customer visits to strengthen relationships, understand customer needs, and increase sales; promoting dealership parts, accessories, special programs, manufacturer programs, and current promotions; achieving established monthly sales, gross profit, and customer retention objectives; preparing quotes and estimates and following up on open opportunities to maximize sales; responding promptly and professionally to customer inquiries, requests, and concerns; educating customers regarding available products, services, manufacturer programs, and dealership capabilities; coordinating with the Parts Department to ensure accurate order processing, timely fulfillment, and efficient delivery; monitoring customer purchasing trends and identifying opportunities to increase sales, customer retention, and market share; maintaining accurate customer records, sales activity, call reports, and follow-up documentation; working closely with Parts Counter Representatives and Delivery Drivers to provide a seamless and exceptional customer experience; participating in sales meetings, product training, manufacturer training, and other required dealership training; assisting with the collection of outstanding customer balances when appropriate and in accordance with dealership procedures; maintaining current knowledge of competitor pricing, products, promotions, and market conditions; building awareness of dealership capabilities and identifying opportunities to expand the wholesale customer base; representing Sames Auto Group and the dealership in a professional, ethical, and positive manner at all times; maintaining a strong working knowledge of automotive parts, accessories, applications, and product offerings; promoting customer loyalty and encouraging repeat business and referrals; and performing other duties as assigned and/or requested by management.

Essential functions include contacting and visiting existing and prospective wholesale customers; identifying new sales opportunities and actively prospecting for new accounts; responding to customer inquiries and requests for quotes or pricing; following up on open quotes, estimates, and sales opportunities; promoting parts, accessories, programs, and dealership services; communicating customer needs and special requests to the Parts Department; monitoring order status and assisting in resolving customer delivery or fulfillment concerns; maintaining accurate records of customer contacts, visits, sales activity, and follow-up; monitoring customer satisfaction and addressing concerns promptly; maintaining professional communication with customers and dealership personnel; reviewing sales performance and progress toward established sales and gross profit objectives; reviewing customer purchasing activity and identifying opportunities for increased business; following up with inactive, declining, or lost accounts to identify opportunities for recovery; prospecting for new wholesale customers within the assigned territory; reviewing open quotes and pending sales opportunities; communicating market trends, customer feedback, and competitive information to Parts Management; attending sales meetings and training as required; meeting or exceeding established sales and gross profit objectives; reviewing territory performance and developing strategies to increase sales and market share; evaluating customer retention and identifying opportunities for account growth; providing management with sales activity and customer development updates as requested; assisting with the development and execution of customer sales and retention initiatives; assisting with year-end closing activities; assisting with 1099 preparation and vendor reporting requirements as applicable; assisting with audits and providing requested accounts payable documentation; reviewing vendor records and assisting with maintaining accurate year-end account information; maintaining current knowledge of automotive parts, accessories, manufacturer programs, and dealership offerings; staying informed regarding competitor pricing, products, promotions, and market conditions; maintaining strong working relationships with all dealership departments; knowing, understanding, and following all federal, state, and local laws and regulations applicable to the position; maintaining confidentiality of customer and dealership information; attending all scheduled meetings and training; maintaining a professional appearance and appropriate behavior during all working hours and business meetings/functions; and performing other duties as assigned and/or requested by the Parts Manager, Fixed Operations Director, or dealership management.

Qualifications include a high school diploma or equivalent required; previous automotive parts experience preferred; previous outside sales or business-to-business sales experience preferred; a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record and ability to maintain insurability; ability to travel throughout an assigned sales territory on a regular basis; basic computer skills and ability to learn dealership management and sales systems; strong verbal and written communication skills; excellent customer service and relationship-building skills; strong organizational and time management abilities; self-motivated and able to work independently while maintaining accountability for sales objectives; ability to manage multiple customers, sales opportunities, and priorities in a fast-paced environment; professional appearance and demeanor; strong problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills; ability to work effectively with Parts, Service, Sales, Accounting, and dealership management; previous dealership Parts Department experience; wholesale automotive parts sales experience; outside or route sales experience; experience using a Dealer Management System (DMS), such as PBS or similar systems; knowledge of manufacturer parts catalogs and electronic parts ordering systems; thorough knowledge of automotive parts, accessories, and applications; strong sales, negotiation, prospecting, and closing skills; demonstrated ability to identify customer needs and recommend appropriate products or solutions; knowledge of wholesale automotive parts markets and competitive pricing; ability to develop and manage a territory and customer sales plan; and bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

Customer service expectations include building and maintaining long-term customer relationships based on trust, reliability, and exceptional service; responding to customer requests, questions, and concerns promptly and professionally; demonstrating strong product knowledge and providing value-added solutions based on customer needs; resolving customer concerns quickly and effectively or escalating issues to management when appropriate; maintaining consistent communication and follow-up with customers; acting as a professional representative of the dealership within the community and assigned sales territory; and promoting a positive image of Sames Auto Group and maintaining the company's commitment to customer satisfaction.

The Outside Parts Sales Representative spends a significant portion of the workday traveling throughout an assigned territory to visit wholesale customers, repair facilities, body shops, fleet accounts, municipalities, and other commercial businesses. The position may also work within the dealership Parts Department, warehouse, service department, and office environment. The role requires frequent driving, customer interaction, computer use, telephone communication, and standing or walking. The position may be exposed to varying weather conditions and the normal operating environment of an automotive dealership and parts department. Evening or weekend work may occasionally be required to support customer needs, dealership events, sales initiatives, or business requirements.