Motor vehicles parts advisor

Motor vehicles parts advisors sell motor vehicle parts, order parts and identify alternative parts.

Motor vehicles parts advisors typically do the following:

• advise customers what parts they might need for their vehicle
• take orders in person, over the phone or by email
• check availability of parts on computerised stock records
• get parts from the storeroom or warehouse or order them from suppliers
• put orders together
• send orders by courier or make deliveries yourself
• deal with payments
• raise invoices and issue receipts
• maintain shop window and shelf displays
• order supplies, put stock away and update records

The following job titles also refer to motor vehicles parts advisor:

light vehicle parts operative
LGV parts operative
LGV service operative
coach parts operative
bus parts advisor
PCV service operative
coach service operative
fleet service operative
fleet parts advisor
light vehicle parts advisor
bus and coach parts advisor
coach parts advisor
bus and coach service operative
LGV parts advisor
bus and coach parts operative
PCV parts advisor
heavy vehicle parts advisor
bus parts operative
light vehicle service operative
heavy vehicle parts operative
PCV parts operative
fleet parts operative
bus service operative
heavy vehicle service operative

Motor vehicles parts advisors work in a variety of settings, including auto dealerships, auto and truck parts stores, and in the parts departments of large stores that sell a variety of merchandise. They may also work in the parts departments of manufacturing plants or in the service departments of auto and truck dealerships and repair shops.

Many motor vehicles parts advisors work the traditional 40-hour week, although some may work evenings and weekends. Some parts advisors work part time. Many parts advisors are required to stand for long periods of time and to lift and carry heavy objects.

A high school diploma or equivalent is generally the minimum required to work as a motor vehicles parts advisor. Some employers may prefer an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as automotive technology or business administration.

Most motor vehicles parts advisors will receive on-the-job training from their new employer. This training will typically last for a few weeks and will teach the parts advisor how to use the company’s computer systems, how to process orders and how to interact with customers.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Motor vehicles parts advisor is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to motor vehicles parts advisor.

restoration technician
refurbishing technician
vehicle maintenance supervisor
vehicle electronics installer
call centre agent

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of motor vehicles parts advisor. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of motor vehicles parts advisor with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

purchaser
visual merchandiser
purchase planner
ICT buyer
performance rental technician

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of motor vehicles parts advisor.

• Inventory management rules: The specific principles and techniques used in order to determine the appropriate level of inventory required.
• Parts pricing: The prices of vehicle parts on the market from various suppliers and their trends.

These skills are necessary for the role of motor vehicles parts advisor.

• Carry out parts purchasing: Order specific parts required for maintenance and repair of a wide variety of vehicles.
• Maintain relationship with customers: Build a lasting and meaningful relationship with customers in order to ensure satisfaction and fidelity by providing accurate and friendly advice and support, by delivering quality products and services and by supplying after-sales information and service.
• Check vehicle parts on delivery: ensure that vehicle parts received from various suppliers are intact, properly working and delivered on time. Contact the parts manager in case of incidents or anomalies.
• Maintain relationship with suppliers: Build a lasting and meaningful relationship with suppliers and service providers in order to establish a positive, profitable and enduring collaboration, co-operation and contract negotiation.
• Maintain work area cleanliness: Keep the working area and equipment clean and orderly.
• Identify parts requested by customers: Ask the client questions in order to identify the specific parts he needs, taking into account the car type and year of construction; search for the exact parts described.
• Conduct detailed evaluation of quality standards: Evaluate the production, quality or packaging of goods in great detail in order to ensure compliance with the quality standards of the producer.
• Load products for dispatch: Load goods appropriately so that they can be sent safely to the receiver.
• Carry out shipping orders for parts: Transfer tools, materials and equipment to warehouse locations for shipping.
• Ensure parts packaging: Implement and monitor the packaging process; ensure that parts are processed and packed in compliance with production requirements.
• Gather information to substitute parts: Gather information from sources such as manuals and manufacturers; identify appropriate replacements for broken, rare or obsolete parts.
• Process payments: Accept payments such as cash, credit cards and debit cards. Handle reimbursement in case of returns or administer vouchers and marketing instruments such as bonus cards or membership cards. Pay attention to safety and the protection of personal data.
• Provide customer follow-up services: Register, follow-up, solve and respond to customer requests, complaints and after-sales services.
• Analyse supplier’s information on vehicle parts: Analyse information on vehicle parts from suppliers such as wholesalers or importers. Process data in order to improve response to customers’ requests.
• Sell vehicle parts: Identify which part is best suited to the customer’s needs and specific type of car; sell and install the appropriate parts.
• Process data: Enter information into a data storage and data retrieval system via processes such as scanning, manual keying or electronic data transfer in order to process large amounts of data.
• Keep stock records: Keep written records of the amount of stock in storage, incoming and outgoing products required for the proper operation of services, repairs and maintenance tasks.
• Maintain parts inventory: Maintain stock levels in accordance with organisation procedures and policies; estimate upcoming supply needs.
• Organise parts storage: Store parts of vehicles and trucks, including parts for large trucks or heavy equipment, in proper conditions.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of motor vehicles parts advisor. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Motor vehicle parts drawings: The various types of technical drawings used in relation to motor vehicles parts.
• New vehicles on the market: Latest developments and trends related to the new types of vehicles and vehicle brands on the market.
• E-procurement: The functioning and methods used to manage electronic purchases.
• Waste management: The methods, materials and regulations used to collect, transport, treat and dispose of waste. This includes recycling and monitoring of waste disposal.
• Export control principles: The restrictions a country imposes on its exported products and goods.
• Types of vehicle engines: Types of car engines in road and racing cars, including those with emerging technologies like Hybrids and electric motors, and how they work.
• Manufacturer’s recommended price: The estimated price the manufacturer suggests the retailer to apply to a product or service and the pricing method through which it is calculated.
• Teamwork principles: The cooperation between people characterised by a unified commitment to achieving a given goal, participating equally, maintaining open communication, facilitating effective usage of ideas etc.
• Electrical wiring plans: Pictorial representation of an electrical circuit. It shows the components of the circuit as simplified shapes, and the power and signal connections between the devices. It gives information about the relative position and arrangement of devices and terminals on the devices, to help in building or servicing the device. A wiring diagram is often used to troubleshoot problems and to make sure that all the connections have been made and that everything is present.
• Supply chain management: The flow of goods in the supply chain, movement and storage of raw materials, work-in-process inventory, and finished goods from point of origin to point of consumption.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of motor vehicles parts advisor. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Operate forklift: Operate a forklift, a vehicle with a pronged device in front for lifting and carrying heavy loads.
• Use customer relationship management software: Use specialised software to manage company’s interactions with current and future customers. Organise, automate and synchronise sales, marketing, customer service, and technical support, to increase targeted sales.
• Maintain customer records: Keep and store structured data and records about customers in accordance with customer data protection and privacy regulations.
• Prepare shipments in time: Prepare product for shipment as scheduled.

5223 – Shop sales assistants

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References

1. Motor vehicles parts advisor – ESCO
2. Motor vehicle parts person | Explore careers – National Careers Service
3. Parts Advisor Job Description: Salary, Duties, & More – Climb the Ladder
4. Featured image: By Dario Alvarez from Orense, España – DSCN3114, CC BY 2.0