Automotive Parts Manager

About the role

The Parts Manager leads, develops, and inspires the Parts team at DCH Ford of Eatontown, playing a key role in achieving performance, culture, and customer experience goals.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily operations to achieve sales, gross profit, and inventory turn objectives.
• Grow retail, wholesale, collision center, and internal parts sales.
• Maintain optimal inventory levels through forecasting, ordering, stocking, and obsolescence management.
• Monitor and manage inventory accuracy through cycle counts and physical inventories.
• Ensure parts availability to support Service Department productivity and customer satisfaction goals.
• Review and analyze departmental financial statements, reports, and KPIs.
• Manage inventory investments, gross margins, shrinkage, and departmental expenses.
• Collaborate with the Fixed Operations Manager to establish budgets, forecasts, and operational goals.
• Recruit, hire, train, coach, and develop parts counter personnel, warehouse staff, and delivery drivers.
• Establish clear performance expectations and hold team members accountable to results.
• Foster a culture focused on teamwork, operational excellence, and customer service.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with OEM representatives, vendors, and aftermarket suppliers.
• Ensure compliance with OEM policies, warranty parts retention requirements, and dealership procedures.
• Monitor parts purchasing practices to maximize profitability while controlling costs.
• Maintain an organized, clean, and safe parts warehouse and retail environment.
• Address and resolve escalated customer and vendor concerns in a professional and timely manner.
• Partner closely with Service, Body Shop, and Sales leadership to support dealership-wide objectives.
• Utilize dealership management systems and reporting tools to improve operational efficiency and decision-making.
• Ensure adherence to all federal, state, local, and company policies and regulations.

Requirements

• 3+ years of automotive parts leadership experience within an OEM franchise dealership required; Ford experience highly preferred.
• Proven success managing inventory, profitability, and departmental performance.
• Strong understanding of OEM parts operations, inventory controls, and manufacturer programs.
• Experience leading teams, developing talent, and driving accountability.
• Knowledge of dealership financial reporting and Fixed Operations metrics.
• Proficiency with dealership management systems (CDK, Reynolds & Reynolds, Dealertrack, or similar).
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Customer-focused approach with a commitment to operational excellence.
• Able to work effectively in a fast-paced, performance-driven environment.
• Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.

Qualifications

• Total Rewards: $85,000.00 - $115,000.00/per year; Performance driven position, eligible for short-term and/or long-term incentives as part of total compensation, which includes a Base/Draw/Hourly offset and the ability to earn commission and bonus based on department or individual performance.
• Final compensation will be established through the interview process in accordance with applicable pay equity and transparency laws.
• We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you and your family, including: Competitive pay, Medical, Dental and Vision Plans, Paid Holidays & PTO, Short and Long-Term Disability, Paid Life Insurance, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Lithia Learning Center, Vehicle Purchase Discounts, Wellness Programs.

Benefits

• Competitive pay
• Medical, Dental and Vision Plans
• Paid Holidays & PTO
• Short and Long-Term Disability
• Paid Life Insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Lithia Learning Center
• Vehicle Purchase Discounts
• Wellness Programs

Schedule

Full-time position.

Pay

$85,000.00 - $115,000.00/per year; This is a performance driven position, eligible for short-term and/or long-term incentives as part of total compensation, which includes a Base/Draw/Hourly offset and the ability to earn commission and bonus based on department or individual performance. Actual pay offered may vary depending on skills, experience, job-related knowledge, and physical location. Final compensation will be established through the interview process in accordance with applicable pay equity and transparency laws.