Detailed Career Description

Parts Manager - Jaguar Land Rover Stellenbosch

Role Objective:

The Parts Manager is responsible for the overall management, commercial performance, operational efficiency and control of the Parts Department at JLR Stellenbosch.

The incumbent must ensure the availability, accurate identification, procurement, storage, control and sale of genuine Jaguar Land Rover parts and approved accessories, in accordance with applicable Jaguar Land Rover South Africa (JLRSA) requirements, current manufacturer policies, dealership procedures and relevant legislation.

The Parts Manager must lead the department to deliver an exceptional customer experience in accordance with the Jaguar Land Rover Service Experience Framework (SEF) and Customer First Principles, while achieving budgeted turnover, gross profit, stock efficiency, customer satisfaction and departmental profitability.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leadership and people management: Lead, develop and manage the performance of the Parts team. Set clear objectives, allocate workloads and make sure training, succession and leave cover are in place.
• Customer experience: Deliver a premium customer experience in line with JLR Customer First standards. This means accurate parts identification, clear quotations, reliable delivery dates and professional handling of complaints.
• JLR standards and compliance: Make sure procurement, warranty handling and departmental processes comply with current JLRSA policies, retailer standards and audit requirements. Make sure staff complete mandatory OEM training.
• Inventory management: Keep stock levels accurate, secure and well balanced. Manage stock turn, ageing and obsolescence, oversee receiving, issuing and returns, and run cycle counts and stocktakes.
• Procurement and supplier management: Order from authorised sources within budget and delegated authority. Manage back orders and lead times, and make sure supplier claims, returns and credits are finalised on time.
• Workshop and service support: Work with Service and Workshop to supply the correct parts on time, prioritise vehicle-off-road cases and reduce vehicle downtime. Keep accurate warranty parts records.
• Sales growth: Grow retail, trade and wholesale parts sales. Build relationships with independent repairers and fleet customers, and protect margins through disciplined pricing.
• Financial performance: Prepare and manage the departmental budget. Track turnover, gross profit, stock investment and debtors, report monthly to the Dealer Principal and take corrective action when results fall short.
• Risk, controls and safety: Keep strong controls in place against stock loss, theft and fraud. Make sure transactions are captured accurately on CDK, and keep the warehouse safe and orderly in line with health and safety and hazardous-materials requirements.
• Continuous improvement: Use data and reporting to spot trends, improve processes and increase sales, stock accuracy and customer retention.

Minimum requirements (Essential):

• Matric (Grade 12).
• At least 5 years in automotive parts at a franchised dealership, with at least 3 of those years managing a parts department team.
• Proven experience with stock control: stocktakes, managing stock that is ageing or obsolete, and resolving discrepancies.
• Experience with budgets, targets and gross profit in a parts department.
• Working knowledge of a dealer management system (DMS), such as CDK, Autoline or Kerridge, and good MS Excel skills.
• A valid driver’s licence.

Essential Competencies/Traits:

• Commercial sense and business accumen
• Attention to detail
• Integrity
• A strong customer-service mindset
• The ability to work with Service and Workshop under pressure

Advantageous:

• A recognised parts qualification, such as an automotive parts NQF qualification.
• A diploma in business management, supply chain or logistics.
• Experience with JLR or another premium brand (BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Porsche, Volvo).
• Experience building trade and wholesale accounts.
• Familiarity with OEM warranty and audit processes.

To apply for this position, please submit your updated resumé, your highest qualifications, as well as a covering letter detailing your fit to the role.

Please be advised that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. 

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an environment where all team members can thrive.