Group Parts Manager Jobs

The Group Parts Manager leads the parts function across all sites in a franchised dealer group, holding accountability for the commercial and operational performance of one of aftersales' most technically complex and financially significant departments. Parts gross profit, stock investment, inter-site stock movement efficiency, manufacturer parts programme compliance, trade parts revenue and the development of the group's parts management team are all within the Group Parts Manager's scope.

Parts management at group level requires a balance of commercial discipline and operational precision. A group parts operation that holds too much of the wrong stock ties up working capital and drives write-offs. One that holds too little generates lost workshop sales, customer dissatisfaction and technician downtime. The Group Parts Manager who designs a stock holding strategy that maximises first time availability on fast-moving parts, minimises obsolescence and drives gross profit per transaction across a multi-site network is directly contributing to the group's aftersales profitability in a way that is visible in every monthly composite.

Venatu recruits Group Parts Managers for permanent and contract roles across franchised car and commercial vehicle dealer groups, multi-franchise retail networks and large fleet maintenance operations throughout the UK. This role sits within our car dealership, truck and van and operational support recruitment divisions. For Head of Parts and Parts Director appointments, visit Venatu Executive.

Who We Recruit For

We place candidates with:

• Multi-site franchised car dealer groups
• Commercial vehicle and truck dealer groups with multi-site parts operations
• Multi-franchise dealer groups requiring unified parts strategy and procurement
• Large-volume used vehicle groups with structured parts and accessories operations
• Fleet management businesses with multi-site parts supply functions
• Automotive parts distribution businesses with dealer group supply partnerships

Roles We Place

• Group Parts Manager
• Head of Parts (Dealer Group)
• Group Parts Operations Manager
• Group Parts Procurement Manager
• Parts Director (Dealer Group) - see also Venatu Executive
• Interim Group Parts Manager

Who Can Apply

Strong Group Parts Manager candidates typically come from:

• Experienced Group Parts Managers or Heads of Parts at dealer groups who want to move to a new group, a larger portfolio or a more commercially ambitious parts function
• Parts Store Managers or Senior Parts Advisors at large single-site franchised operations who have managed a significant parts function with full stock, gross profit and team accountability and are ready to take on multi-site group parts management responsibility for the first time
• Commercial Parts Advisors or senior parts professionals at commercial vehicle dealerships who have developed strong procurement, stock management and trade parts account management skills and want to move into a group-level parts management role
• Aftersales Managers at franchised sites who have a thorough understanding of the parts operation as a component of the overall aftersales P&L and want to specialise into group parts management with dedicated accountability for the parts function across the network - see our Head of Aftersales page for the combined aftersales leadership alternative
• Parts managers from automotive parts distribution, factor or aftermarket wholesale businesses who want to move into a franchised dealer group parts environment and apply their procurement and stock management skills within the manufacturer programme framework
• Fleet maintenance parts store managers who have managed large parts inventories for multi-vehicle-category fleets and want to move into a franchised dealer group parts management career pathway

Manufacturer DMS and parts system proficiency is the most operationally critical technical skill at group parts management level. Experience managing parts gross profit reporting, obsolescence programmes, manufacturer parts return windows and warranty parts processes is essential. Inter-site stock transfer management and trade parts account development are key operational dimensions at group level. Venatu confirms the franchise mix, DMS systems and group parts structure with each employer before presenting candidates.

Group Parts Manager Salary Guide

Packages typically include a company vehicle or car allowance, pension contributions and a performance bonus linked to parts gross profit, obsolescence levels and stock turn targets. Larger dealer groups and multi-franchise operations typically pay towards the upper end of each band. Venatu benchmarks total package expectations with each employer before beginning a search. Visit the HR Hub for broader context on dealer group aftersales management remuneration.

What the Role Involves

Commercial Performance:

• Owning the group parts P&L across all sites, setting annual parts gross profit, revenue and stock investment targets for each site in collaboration with the Head of Aftersales or Group Aftersales Director at each location
• Reviewing parts gross profit performance weekly across the group, identifying underperforming parts categories, pricing variances and margin erosion causes and directing site parts management to implement corrective actions
• Developing and managing the group's trade parts sales strategy, identifying local trade account development opportunities across each site's catchment area and managing the pricing structures that support competitive trade parts growth without sacrificing gross margin

Stock Management and Procurement:

• Designing and maintaining the group's stock holding policy, setting minimum stock level parameters, supersession management processes and obsolescence review cycles for each site in line with manufacturer programme requirements and local demand patterns
• Managing the manufacturer parts programme relationships across all franchises in the group's portfolio, maximising programme rebate entitlements, managing return authorisation submissions within programme windows and ensuring each site's parts purchasing behaviour qualifies for available manufacturer programme income
• Overseeing inter-site stock transfer processes, ensuring fast-moving parts shortfalls at one site are resolved quickly through group stock movement rather than emergency supplier orders and that the group's total stock investment is shared intelligently across the network

Team Development:

• Developing the Parts Store Managers and senior parts staff across the group, conducting structured performance reviews, identifying development opportunities and building succession depth within the parts management structure
• Working with Venatu to recruit Parts Advisors and Parts Store Managers across the group and ensures new parts staff are inducted into the manufacturer DMS, parts ordering systems and group stock management standards
• Developing training programmes that raise parts product knowledge, trade customer communication skills and gross profit awareness across all parts counter staff in the group

Compliance and Reporting:

• Ensuring all sites maintain accurate parts stock records within the DMS, carry out regular stock counts and manage discrepancies in line with the group's financial control requirements
• Managing the group's warranty parts retention, warranty parts claim submission and manufacturer warranty debit processes across all franchises
• Reporting group parts performance to the Group Aftersales Director or board, presenting monthly parts composite results and forward programme submissions

How the Process Works

For employers:

1. Submit a vacancy with the franchise portfolio, number of sites, DMS systems in use, parts gross profit scope and team structure.
2. We confirm candidate availability and present a pre-screened shortlist within five working days.
3. Candidates are assessed for parts management track record, gross profit performance, manufacturer programme knowledge and multi-site leadership capability.
4. Interview and offer supported by Venatu throughout.

For candidates:

1. Register your CV with your parts management experience, franchise brands and DMS systems worked with, gross profit and stock management scope and team size managed.
2. A Venatu consultant will review your background and contact you directly.
3. Roles are matched to your parts management level, franchise experience and geography.
4. Venatu manages the process and advises on package expectations ahead of offer.

Browse current vacancies or create a job alert to be notified when relevant roles become available.

FAQ

What does a Group Parts Manager do? A Group Parts Manager leads the parts function across all sites in a franchised dealer group. Responsibilities include owning the group parts P&L and gross profit targets, managing the stock holding strategy, overseeing manufacturer parts programme relationships and rebate maximisation, developing trade parts revenue, managing inter-site stock movement and leading the development of parts store managers and parts advisors across the network.

What manufacturer programmes does a Group Parts Manager manage? Manufacturer parts programmes vary by franchise but typically include stocking programme rebates, volume bonus structures, return authorisation windows for obsolete stock, supersession management support and warranty parts processes. Managing these programmes correctly and ensuring each site maximises its programme entitlement while managing return windows and warranty claim quality is a significant commercial responsibility at Group Parts Manager level. Venatu confirms the specific programme requirements with each employer before presenting candidates.

What DMS systems do Group Parts Managers use? The most widely used dealer management systems in UK franchised dealer groups are Kerridge Autoline, CDK Drive, Pinewood and Keyloop. Group Parts Managers need to be competent in interpreting parts performance reports, stock valuation data and obsolescence analysis from the DMS used across their group's sites. Multi-franchise groups may operate more than one DMS platform. Venatu confirms the DMS environment with each employer before presenting candidates.

What does a Group Parts Manager earn in the UK? Group Parts Managers at mid-size dealer groups typically earn between £48,000 and £62,000. At larger national groups salaries range from £58,000 to £75,000. Head of Parts roles typically earn between £62,000 and £82,000. Interim day rates typically range from £350 to £550. Venatu benchmarks total package expectations with each employer before beginning a search.

What is the progression from Group Parts Manager? Common progression routes include Head of Parts, Group Aftersales Director and, in the largest groups, Parts Director or Head of Group Aftersales Supply Chain. For Parts Director and senior Director-level appointments, visit Venatu Executive. Group Parts Managers who develop strong commercial negotiation skills and a broad understanding of the aftersales P&L are also well positioned for Group Aftersales Director and general management tracks.

Register or Enquire

Candidates - Register your CV with your parts management experience, franchise brands, DMS systems used and gross profit scope managed. Venatu will match you to current Group Parts Manager vacancies across franchised dealer groups and automotive retail networks, including roles not publicly advertised. Browse live vacancies or create a job alert.

Employers - Submit a vacancy or visit the client hub to discuss your group parts management requirements. Our team will respond within one working day.