The average car dealership, repair facility or warehouse has a lot of its capital invested in auto parts, which is why auto parts management is so important. A mismanaged inventory can cause serious economic trouble for a dealership or garage. Keeping the inventory properly updated and maintained can make the difference between a customer who receives his car repaired on time and another who has to wait long delays for the proper parts to be shipped, received by the garage and then installed on the consumer’s car.
To help better your understanding of the auto parts manager’s role, here are some of the basics that you’ll learn in auto parts training:
Purchasing
By purchasing inventory, the auto parts manager can replenish stock in store, ensuring that professionals with auto mechanic training in the garage will have everything they need to perform repairs. It’s important for the auto parts manager to understand that some parts, such as belts and hoses, are in greater demand than others, as they are found in a higher number of cars on the road and need repair more frequently. Using sales data, the auto parts manager will be able to evaluate which auto parts need to be kept in stock at all times and which can be ordered on demand according to need.
Vendors
When a specific part is needed, the auto parts manager will order via a catalogue or website. In general, however, the manager will deal with vendors. Maintaining a good relationship with vendors and having some negotiation skills can be beneficial. A vendor, for example, may let you return a box of unused or obsolete stock in exchange for credit. The auto parts manager will also have to coordinate with vendors when it comes to missing items or incorrect pricing.
Promotions
The auto parts manager can organize sales to move inventory, such as plan promotions or approach companies who operate large fleets of vehicles to offer them a deal. In other words, the manager should be resourceful and inventive when trying to sell surplus or leftover stock. The auto parts manager should also have good working knowledge of all the parts in stock, so that he or she can train and advise team members, clerks and other sales personnel who interact with customers directly.
Personnel
The auto parts manager is also responsible for his or her staff. The ideal manager has leadership qualities and is a good communicator and motivator. Part of the manager’s duties will involve training sales staff and clerks, but also monitoring sales and ensuring that sales targets are met. To motivate his or her team, the auto parts manager might organize sales competitions or contests. Lastly, an auto parts manager can recognize a particularly talented entry-level employee on staff and encourage them to pursue further training, such as taking auto mechanic courses.
