Parts Advisor Jobs

The Parts Advisor is the expert link between the workshop, the trade counter, the retail customer and the parts supply chain. Identifying the correct part for a vehicle by reference number, supersession history, vehicle identification number or technical knowledge, placing orders accurately, communicating availability and lead times clearly and ensuring every part arrives in the right place at the right time without delaying a technician or disappointing a trade customer - these are the core competencies that define a strong Parts Advisor and that make the role commercially critical in every dealership aftersales operation.

In a busy franchised dealership the Parts Advisor's day spans multiple simultaneous demands: the workshop team raising pick requests for job cards in progress who cannot afford to wait for a non-stocked part, the trade customer at the counter who needs a part identified and available today to fit their customer's car tomorrow morning, the retail caller who knows the make and model of their car but not the engine code, and the backorder follow-up for the customer whose part has been on order for a week and is now asking for an update. Managing those concurrent demands accurately, professionally and without letting any single enquiry fall through the administrative cracks is the hallmark of an experienced Parts Advisor.

For commercial vehicle parts roles, see the Commercial Parts Advisor page, which covers the HGV, bus and coach parts specialism in detail. Venatu recruits Parts Advisors for permanent and contract roles across franchised car and van dealerships, dealer groups, automotive parts distributors and aftermarket parts businesses throughout the UK. This role sits within our car dealership and operational support recruitment divisions.

Who We Recruit For

We place candidates with:

• Franchised car and van dealerships with workshop, retail and trade parts functions
• Dealer groups with centralised or multi-site parts operations
• Automotive parts distributors and aftermarket supply businesses
• Fast fit and autocentre groups with parts supply functions
• Fleet and specialist parts supply businesses

Roles We Place

• Parts Advisor
• Parts Counter Advisor
• Workshop Parts Advisor
• Trade Parts Advisor
• Senior Parts Advisor
• Parts Advisor (Van and LCV)
• Parts Supervisor

Who Can Apply

Strong Parts Advisor candidates typically come from:

• Experienced Parts Advisors at franchised dealerships or parts distributors who want to move to a new employer, a different manufacturer brand, a larger or more structured parts operation or an improved package
• Parts Administrators who have developed strong DMS competency and a thorough understanding of parts ordering, stock management and manufacturer supply chain processes and want to step into a customer-facing advisory role with greater parts identification and account management accountability
• Vehicle Technicians or Fast Fit Vehicle Technicians who have developed strong parts knowledge through their workshop work, understand how parts are identified from job cards, know the common supersession patterns for the makes they work on and want to move into the parts department in an advisory role that uses their technical understanding commercially
• Service Receptionists or dealership front-of-house staff familiar with the DMS and the dealership's operational workflow who want to develop into the parts function, where their customer communication skills combine with developing parts identification and ordering competency
• Aftermarket or motor factor parts staff who have been working in a trade parts counter environment and want to move into a franchised dealership parts department, where the manufacturer parts range, the DMS and the workshop-supply dynamic are more structured and the development pathway is clearer
• Call centre or customer service professionals with a strong interest in the automotive sector who want to develop into a telephone-based trade parts advisor role where their communication skills are the primary asset alongside developed parts knowledge

Strong familiarity with a DMS - particularly Keyloop (CDK), Autoline (Kerridge) or Pinewood - is highly valued. Experience with manufacturer parts identification systems (e.g. Ford ETIS, VW ELSA, Toyota Microcat) is preferred for franchised dealer roles and is typically supported by manufacturer training. Venatu confirms the DMS and manufacturer system requirements with each employer before presenting candidates.

Parts Advisor Salary Guide

Some employers offer a bonus linked to parts sales revenue, trade account development or workshop parts supply performance. Venatu benchmarks total package expectations with each employer before beginning a search. Visit the HR Hub for broader context on automotive parts department role remuneration.

What the Role Involves

Workshop Parts Supply:

• Receiving parts requisitions from the workshop team, identifying the correct parts by VIN, registration number or job card specification and picking them from stock or placing a manufacturer order where parts are not available from the bin location
• Managing workshop back-order communication, updating the workshop controller and the relevant technician on parts availability, expected delivery time and any alternative sourcing options available to avoid delaying the vehicle repair
• Maintaining the workshop order point in the DMS, ensuring all open parts requests are tracked through to fulfilment and that parts received are correctly matched to the job card before being delivered to the workshop bay
• Processing warranty parts identification for job cards presented by the workshop, ensuring the correct original equipment part number is recorded on the warranty job card and that the warranty parts return requirement is communicated to the Parts Administrator

Trade Counter and Retail Sales:

• Serving trade customers at the parts counter and by telephone, identifying parts accurately from the customer's vehicle and fault description, checking stock availability and providing a confirmed price before the customer commits to the order
• Managing trade account relationships, maintaining an understanding of key trade customers' regular requirements, proactively communicating offers and availability of fast-moving parts and managing the credit account process in line with the dealership's trade account terms
• Serving retail customers with parts enquiries, identifying parts for DIY customers accurately and advising on the correct ancillary items - gaskets, filters, fluids, fixings - that the customer will need alongside the primary part to complete the job successfully
• Processing counter sales, telephone orders and website orders accurately in the DMS, applying correct pricing for trade and retail channels and issuing invoices or receipts as required

Stock and Ordering:

• Placing special orders for non-stocked parts with the manufacturer or alternative supplier, communicating expected delivery dates to the workshop or customer at the point of order and following up on any orders approaching or exceeding the stated lead time
• Supporting the stock management process, identifying lines that are consistently out of stock and recommending stocking adjustments to the Parts Manager, and managing the returns process for incorrectly ordered or surplus parts in line with the manufacturer's returns policy

How the Process Works

For employers:

1. Submit a vacancy with the manufacturer brand, DMS in use, the balance between workshop supply and trade counter work and any specific manufacturer parts system requirements.
2. We confirm candidate availability and present a pre-screened shortlist within five working days.
3. Candidates are assessed for parts identification competency, DMS familiarity, customer communication skills and automotive sector experience.
4. Interview and offer supported by Venatu throughout.

For candidates:

1. Register your CV with your parts experience, DMS and manufacturer parts system knowledge, the brands worked on and your preferred employer type and geography.
2. A Venatu consultant will review your background and contact you directly.
3. Roles are matched to your parts specialism, manufacturer brand knowledge 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 Parts Advisor do? A Parts Advisor identifies and supplies the correct parts to the workshop, trade counter and retail customers. Responsibilities include receiving and fulfilling workshop parts requisitions, placing manufacturer and supplier orders for non-stocked items, managing trade account relationships at the counter and by telephone, serving retail customers with parts identification and purchase, and managing the back-order communication process to keep the workshop and trade customers accurately informed on delivery timescales.

What is the difference between a Parts Advisor and a Parts Administrator? A Parts Advisor is primarily a customer-facing role focused on parts identification, ordering and supply to the workshop, trade counter and retail customers. A Parts Administrator focuses on the back-office administrative processes of the parts department - booking in deliveries, processing invoices, managing warranty returns and maintaining stock records. In smaller operations the two functions are combined in a single role. In larger dealerships they are separate positions. Venatu clarifies the scope with each employer before presenting candidates.

What DMS and manufacturer parts systems do Parts Advisors use? The most widely used DMS platforms are Keyloop (CDK), Autoline (Kerridge) and Pinewood - each with a parts module for stock management, ordering and invoicing. Manufacturer-specific parts identification systems used alongside the DMS include Ford ETIS and PartSmart, Volkswagen Group ELSA Win and ETKA, Toyota Microcat, BMW TIS and equivalent systems across all major franchised manufacturer brands. Venatu confirms the systems required and available training with each employer before presenting candidates.

What does a Parts Advisor earn in the UK? Experienced Parts Advisors typically earn between £27,000 and £36,000. Senior Parts Advisors and Parts Supervisors earn between £32,000 and £48,000. Trade Parts Advisors may earn between £28,000 and £40,000. Some employers offer a parts sales or account development bonus. Venatu benchmarks package expectations with each employer before beginning a search.

What is the progression from Parts Advisor? Common progression routes include Senior Parts Advisor, Parts Supervisor, Parts Manager and, for those in larger dealer groups, Group Parts Manager. Parts Advisors who develop strong manufacturer parts system knowledge, trade account management skills and a thorough understanding of the DMS stock and ordering function are well positioned for parts management development. Read about how the recall and parts supply environment is evolving in What The Stellantis Recall Means For Recruiters.

Register or Enquire

Candidates - Register your CV with your parts experience, DMS and manufacturer parts system knowledge and preferred employer type. Venatu will match you to current Parts Advisor vacancies across franchised dealerships and automotive parts businesses, 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 Parts Advisor requirements. Our team will respond within one working day.