DealersEdge Professional Forums

Hey there everyone, recently I have left my parts counterperson position at Chrysler for one at ford. This parts department compared to the one I came from is a mess to say the least, over the last 3 days I have cleaned it up a little, getting parts off the floor and on the shelf, and in bins with proper labels and located in ERA Ignite. I feel like they are not full using the shelving to their advantage, there are two levels to the department, and the upstairs is skeletal, not much if anything is on the shelves. most of the upstairs is bulk filters, and storage. I feel that coming from a dealer that was organized quite well, that I can use some of my abilities and experiences that I can turn this department into a well organized and oiled machine. I would just like some help and advice. I am fairly new to the dealer business with just under 3 years experience at the young age of 23. I would like to know what any of you would do to approach the manager with the ideas and what are some best practices to make this place into a booming place. I want to help, I want to make this place better. so any advice would help. I am hoping to approach my manager with these ideas in the near future so anything is better then nothing.

Personally I think we could expand in to the upstairs area and fill that up all the way. more shelving options could also get our body shop stock up there as well. and reorganizations of the locations would be better inside of just what row its in like row 8, we could become more precise with 8A04.

Fast moving stuff closer to the front counter and slower moving, larger parts upstairs.

Parts in the drawers and shelves arranged by group as much as possible. Really helps when the computers are down so you have a general idea of where to look.

Keep in mind that shelving is expensive! It will take lots of extra sales to pay for the expense.

In all the dealerships I have worked at, there is always someone that hates changes. They are happy with "we've always done it this way" so make sure you can explain the benefits of the changes you want to make, no matter how large or small. When people see a benefit to them they are more likely to accept it and may offer ideas of their own to go along with yours Good Luck.

How long has the Manager been there?
If its a long time don't expect him to be too enthusiastic.

" This parts department compared to the one I came from is a mess to say the least, over the last 3 days I have cleaned it up a little, getting parts off the floor and on the shelf, and in bins with proper labels and located in ERA Ignite."

Good thing your still at the "young age of 23". Take your time and do not "push" too hard. I spent the better part of 2 years cleaning out a little place about 35 years ago. Trying to change it from an outdated "parts store" to a GM Parts Dept. The big thing is to get it accomplished WITHOUT running yourself into the ground. Putting in "extreme" effort can lead to what is "expected" of you and if you go beyond reasonable you will just wear yourself out and get frustrated. TAKE YOUR TIME!!!
Do it right and you will get all the support you need both from the Manager and the DP.
Good Luck!!!

GM-gta wrote:How long has the Manager been there?
If its a long time don't expect him to be too enthusiastic.

The PM has physically been here since 1990, but only been a full fledged manager for only 2 years, he was an assistant prior to that though.

CMayne wrote:" This parts department compared to the one I came from is a mess to say the least, over the last 3 days I have cleaned it up a little, getting parts off the floor and on the shelf, and in bins with proper labels and located in ERA Ignite."

Good thing your still at the "young age of 23". Take your time and do not "push" too hard. I spent the better part of 2 years cleaning out a little place about 35 years ago. Trying to change it from an outdated "parts store" to a GM Parts Dept. The big thing is to get it accomplished WITHOUT running yourself into the ground. Putting in "extreme" effort can lead to what is "expected" of you and if you go beyond reasonable you will just wear yourself out and get frustrated. TAKE YOUR TIME!!!
Do it right and you will get all the support you need both from the Manager and the DP.
Good Luck!!!

Haha, yeah, it's good that I'm still young. Inventory just happened so it is still a little hectic with all the variances. I feel after a little time, my input into how to organzie this place will be heard. For now, I just got to do my work.

Put the slowest moving stuff upstairs and keep the fastest moving stuff downstairs closest to the counters.

Since you have cleaned up stuff already it sounds like they aren't utilizing their bins.

Keep it clean and well organized helps everyone from the person pulling the parts to the technician who gets parts quicker and gets back to turning wrenches which is were they should be all day.

If you're really crammed on space; try an sea-tainer, cost about 6-8.000 that can be placed outside the parts department, locked and secured. Since you'll only go into it rarely until you return or scrap the parts, it is a good way to get instant space.

This is also a good time to get a handle on the odd stuff. All the "NPN" aftermarket stuff and shop supplies. Make sure everything has a good part number in the system, and is priced correctly. It's also tie to get rid of most of that old junk that lurks in the corners - used parts, stuff that service used as a 'test part', and other makes stuff that never got installed. Good luck, I started on this one 21 years ago - at that time the inventory was $800k and was 80 % obsolete. We moved to a new facilty and LOST room. We are STILL trying to make it work right...