Parts & Service Director

[partsking]

have been approached by our DP with the opportunity of becoming the Parts & Service Director. I am currently the Parts Manager. It would involve the elimination of the Parts & Service Manager positions. Anyone out there had any experience in this situation? Looking for any advise and opinions.

[texaslp]

A lot depends on the size of your store, but you can only be in one place at a time. We're fairly small and we have a P&S Director and parts and svc each have an asst mgr.

[JPARTS]

Sounds like you would become parts and service managers.

[Old Irish]

As mentioned, much depends on the size of the operations....not to mention the strength of the existing staff and how smoothly things are operating at the moment. Without more details its hard to say if you'd be making the right move.

I don't know if you have any prior service department experience. If not...well...I can promise it that its a lot different than running the parts department. I've been a PM, SM, and PSD and running parts was my favorite by far.

Cheers
DD

[Gene]

I knew it, parts managers have a easy job and just sit around and get rich while service sells the parts and installs them. Just had to chime in with that one, I think that is what most service employees think. Selling labor is a little bit different, if you don't sell all the available hours you have today you cant go grab them off the self and sell them tomorrow, unlike parts inventory. There are tons of avenues for help. I agree with Old Irish. If you have a strong group of support staff you will be able to do it. Surround yourself with good people and go for it!

[KA]

I had the same thing happen to me ! About 5 years ago my DP asked ( kinda told ) me to take over as SPD . We were a single line Mopar dealership and were on the back end of decreasing warranty labor and parts sales. I knew in my head something would have to change anyway, just didnt think it would happen that soon. I was glad he asked me instead of the SM ( Even though we were good friends ) . I really learned alot ! We did keep Asst. Managers in both departments and it went well for the next 3 years. That being said , I am back as a PM ( new store )and my wife says I have added 5-10 years to my life....hahahaha
1. Be glad you did not get cut or laid off.
2. Learn from it , it will make you more well rounded.
3. You THOUGHT you were bored with parts anyway.
4. It will help you when the time comes to find another job .
And as Gene said "Surround yourself with good people and go for it!" . If you have people that respect you ( The DP knows this , thats why he asked you ! ) you will do just fine.

[ZOOM1]

Gene-you are correct,in service you cannot grab unsold hours off the shelf and sell them the next day.Do you have to explain why your obsolescence rate is so high ? Or why your gross profit margin is shrinking ? Or why that module that a tech "tried" is now not returnable to the factory ? I believe that Service is a more stressful position,and there is much more involved(especially in dealing directly with the customer),but is parts "easy"? Everyone has their own talents,and for the most part chooses which department "fits" best for them.(I believe that in most cases a service manager position also pays considerably better than parts manager,and for good reason)."To each his own".......have a good day all.