Oh no, I'm the new Fixed Ops Mgr!

[davem]

Wow, two "run like hells" and a "remember from whence you came". Kinda scary.
Thanks for all the info.

Dave

[fixops]

I am the Director of Fixed Operations for a 7 store group, being promoted from the Parts & Service Director position from a single location in our group, approximately 21 months ago.

Traditionally, the position offered to you goes towards the service background side. You were offered the position because A) Your owner sees something positive in you that he/she does not see in their Service Manager, B) Your owner feels more comfortable or less intimidated by you, meaning he/she can control you easier, C) Your owner is planning to eliminate a position and you're the best candidate to fill more than one role, or D) There is no Service Manager.

You have a distinct advantage with a parts background. I primarily have a service background, meaning I had to learn the parts side. This education also included learning, and teaching, the Parts Manager's real job, that is inventory control, or the 3 step procedure: order the part, sell the part, return the part. I learn something new everyday, including that Parts Managers don't really like anyone unveiling the mystery behind running a parts department.

The traditional thought process is that a "good" Service Manager already knows how to impose his will upon others, while at the same time, killing the recipent with kindness. It's how you get things done. It's a balance so sensitive, it can best be described as ice skating on a razor blade's edge. Do you have that ability? If you do not, depending on the volume of your store and the environment you work in, you will get eaten alive. Everyone has to have "NO DOUBT" that you are in charge. No one has to like you, but they all have to respect you, and that starts with you, earning everyone's respect, not being their friend.

The question is, "is it in you" to do it, carry out the job and be successful? Your responsibilities literally double, every time you blink, and sometimes you may feel as if you can't breathe. No matter how well you think you know what the job entails, you really have no idea, you find out. I just described myself.

If I had it to do over, I wouldn't change a thing. I absolutely love my job, and at the risk of sounding modest, I'm very good at what I do.

Feel free to email me at fixops@comcast.net with any particular questions you may have.

[bsilcox]

If I can give you any advise is you are making the right decision. I was awarded the Fixed Ops Mgr Position early on in my career I was 27. I have been in that position for a long time and love it. It can be the worst job or the best job find yourself all the great people you can find. Give them support and let them help run the operations.

Best of Luck.

E-mail me if you have any questions bsilcox2004@msn.com

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Robert "Bob" L. Silcox

[johnny o]

Parts Managers don't really like anyone unveiling the mystery behind running a parts department.

I like that ..thats funny

[kcatdeejay]

The only mystery involved is why some of us have stayed in it so long.

[homesleym]

and still stayed sane.....

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[kcatdeejay]

I never said I was still sane (or ever was?). Ha!

[cnyman]

One of the things not mentioned is the Focus needed to be successful. Remember that until a technician is busy turning a flat rate hour, you won't be selling parts, labor or anything else. Make your day busy removing the roadblocks in front of your technicians and service advisors. If all you did was help solve their problems(and creating a better process so they don't reoccur)then you will be successful. It will take some mental readjustment to stay focused on this as gross profit management and other statistics are mentioned as a measurement, but the hours turned daily is a real measurement of success. Surprisingly, parts sales tend to increase dramatically when the hours go up. Good luck.

[JOHNV44]

Don't spread yourself too thin. Take every situation as it presents itself. Don't worry about what you can't control.

[LamboThom]

I came upon this post while looking at old posts about FOD.
THis particular post has given me the best advice out there concerning my venture into Fixed Operations.
Thank you to you all.