The Parts Manager is accountable for the profitable, efficient and compliant management of the parts business across the Johannesburg operation, including the contribution of Nelspruit and Polokwane within the consolidated regional view. The role is responsible for achieving parts revenue, gross-profit, working-capital and customer-service objectives while maintaining optimal stock availability, inventory accuracy and operational discipline. The Parts Manager leads the parts team, develops customer and supplier relationships, supports workshop and field-service requirements, and ensures that all parts activities comply with company policies, procurement controls, health and safety standards, and applicable OEM requirements.

Key Performance Areas:
(Essential Duties & Responsibilities)

1. Financial and Commercial Performance

Develop, submit and deliver the Parts Department’s annual budget, sales plan, forecast and operating objectives.

Achieve agreed revenue, gross profit, operating profit and expense targets, and implement corrective actions when performance is below plan.

Grow sales of genuine parts, accessories, consumables and approved aftermarket products across existing and new customers.

Manage pricing, discounts and margins within approved authority levels.

Identify commercial opportunities within the installed equipment base and broader target market.

Protect the business against margin leakage, uncontrolled discounting, unapproved credits and stock losses.

Prepare accurate monthly forecasts and provide clear commentary on financial and operational performance.

2. Customer Service and Market Development

Set and maintain clear service standards for enquiries, quotations, order confirmation, backorder updates and complaint resolution.

Identify and pursue new business, inactive accounts, equipment-population opportunities and targeted market segments.

Analyse lost sales, customer enquiries and backorders to improve stocking decisions, market coverage and customer retention.

Work with Sales, Rental and Aftermarket teams to develop customer-specific parts solutions and improve lifecycle support.

3. Inventory and Stock Management

Balance customer availability requirements with working-capital, stock-turn and inventory-value targets.

Maintain appropriate stocking parameters based on equipment population, historical demand, planned maintenance and market requirements.

Monitor ageing, excess, obsolete and slow-moving inventory and implement measurable reduction or disposal plans.

Prevent unauthorised issuing, substitution, removal or adjustment of stock and maintain accurate bin locations and inventory records.

Ensure adequate availability for maintenance contracts, field service, workshop repairs, rebuilds, rental fleets and major customer accounts.

Maintain high levels of inventory accuracy across all parts storage locations.

4. Procurement and Supply-Chain Coordination

Ensure parts are purchased from approved suppliers in accordance with company policy, delegated authority and valid operational demand.

Monitor supplier lead times, delivery performance, pricing, backorders and critical supply constraints, escalating material risks promptly.

5. Operational Support

Provide timely and accurate support to Service, Maintenance, Workshop, Rental, New Equipment and Pre-Owned Equipment operations.

Participate in WIP reviews and recovery meetings where parts availability or incorrect ordering affects job completion or invoicing.

Improve advance planning and parts-kitting for services, repairs, rebuilds, campaigns and customer projects.

Support warranty activities, product campaigns, field modifications and other manufacturer or customer requirements.

6. Governance, Risk and Internal Controls

Ensure compliance with company policies, delegated authority, procurement rules and financial controls.

Review exception reports and investigate irregular discounts, purchases, credits, write-offs, stock movements and other unusual transactions.

Ensure stock write-offs and disposals are properly motivated, authorised and documented in line with company policy.

Cooperate with internal and external audits, close findings within agreed timelines.

Escalate material operational or financial risks to the General Manager.

7. People Leadership and Development

Lead, manage and develop all assigned Parts sales, Aftermarket Reps, supervisory, stores and administrative employees.

Translate branch objectives into clear departmental and individual targets and conduct regular meetings, reviews and performance discussions.

Identify skills gaps and ensure appropriate training in customer service, product knowledge, inventory control, system use and commercial awareness.

Address poor performance and misconduct consistently with Human Resources, while building succession plans for critical roles.

 8. Reporting and Continuous Improvement

Prepare accurate daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and ad hoc performance reports for management review.

Analyse sales, gross profit, inventory, backorders, lost sales, customer activity, open orders and employee productivity.

Maintain corrective-action plans with clear owners, deadlines and measurable outcomes.

Use systems, data and operational innovation to improve forecasting, customer service, control, efficiency and profitability.

Required Minimum Knowledge, Skills Education / Training and Experience Requirement(s):

Experience in material handling, automotive, industrial equipment, mining equipment or another capital-equipment environment is strongly preferred.

Knowledge of ERP and business systems, including Autoline, with proven capability in utilizing OEM catalogue and inventory management platforms.

Warehouse and stores management procurement and supplier-performance management.