Your role:Working closely with the wider Americas team and alongside the global aftersales team, the Parts & Accessories Distribution Manager is responsible for optimizing parts inventories and logistics across our US Parts Distribution Center (PDC), retail partners and service partners, in order to provide the highest possible customer fill rate while staying aligned with working capital requirements. This role is heavily focused on process improvement, streamlining day-to-day operations for the regional P&A team, and driving efficiency across the network. The Manager will work closely with our logistics partner to improve their operations, including expansion of warehousing, and continuous streamlining and cost cutting efforts across logistics. The role will also consult the field team and retail partners on parts operations, identify coaching opportunities by monitoring key performance indicators, and manage relationships with logistics vendors to ensure parts logistics are providing the highest possible service levels to our retail partners and end customer.
This role also oversees and manages the Parts & Accessories Distribution Specialist, who is the primary point of contact for Dealers and field team members on day-to-day parts and accessories support questions.
Responsibilities include (but are not limited to): - Drive process improvement initiatives that focus on day-to-day operations for the larger regional P&A team
- Use data analysis to properly forecast and stock the distribution center with the right parts, based on demand data, trends, upcoming promotions and ad hoc activities
- Identify and analyze root cause opportunities to enhance PDC fill rates, dealer stock order to emergency ratio, logistics costs and overall parts purchase performance
- Work closely with our logistics partner to improve their operational efficiencies, including expansion of warehousing, identify streamlining and cost cutting measures across logistics
- Oversee and right size US PDC inventory for the Americas with appropriate spare parts, stocking levels, and minimizes obsolescence
- Handle custom duty and import payments and processes as well as collaborate with custom brokers to keep parts moving smoothly across the US, Canada and Mexico
- Facilitate and enforce effective and efficient processes for dealer parts claims and returns to be managed within proper guidelines
- Act as a strong liaison and advocate between global HQ, the Americas team and vendors to ensure collaboration, proper risk assessments, process streamlining and cost saving measures
- Identify and support building technology and system improvements that support the P&A team's strategy and day to day operations
- Act as aftersales support and subject matter expert in cross functional programs, aftersales initiatives and ad hoc projects, such as New Vehicle Sales Accessory program, Stock Accrual Parts Return Program and aftersales parts for fleet sales
- Report regularly on key metrics within the department, including spend, purchases, quality, localized issues and geographical concerns, to make sure enhancement options are made available to the business
- Establish, launch and administer Dealer Parts Performance metrics to track network performance and identify top and bottom performers
- Review, administer and improve warranty, accessories and spare parts claim programs and processes in coordination with the HQ Warranty Team, Regulatory Compliance and the Americas Aftersales team
- Directly support Dealer retail partners via daily responses to their inquiries within the Parts Ticketing system, within 24 to 48 business hours
- Manage and develop the Parts & Accessories Distribution Specialist, who supports Dealers and field team members with day-to-day questions
What we are looking for: - At least 7 to 10+ years of relevant experience
- Ideally comes from an automotive aftersales background
- Significant spare parts related business and operational experience
- A strong process improvement mindset with a track record of streamlining operations, a Kaizen mentality
- Comfortable with ambiguity and able to figure out what needs to get done with limited direction
- Familiarity and experience with customs clearance, customs duties and export/import processes
- Comfortable working with technology and systems, with experience helping build or improve tools that support the business
- Strong analytical and implementation skills
- Experience working with 3PLs regarding warehousing operations and transportation
- Stakeholder management, including relationship building across departments and functions
- Comfortable working with systems and ticketing tools, such as SAP
- Comfortable managing a direct report
- Occasional travel throughout the Americas region may be required
If the role sounds of interest and you want to learn more, please apply.
If your application is successful one of our team members will be in touch to arrange an initial conversation!
