Parts Advisor Job Description
Hire a practical, customer-focused Parts Advisor to manage parts sales, stock and workshop support for your dealership or independent garage.
What does a Parts Advisor professional do?
A Parts Advisor sources and sells vehicle parts, maintains stock accuracy and liaises with technicians and customers to keep workshop jobs moving.
Parts Advisor job description template
Use this employer-ready example as a starting point, then replace the placeholders and adjust the content so it accurately reflects your vacancy.
Parts Advisor
About the role
[EMPLOYER NAME] is looking for an experienced Parts Advisor to join our parts department at [LOCATION]. You will manage parts enquiries and sales both over the counter and by phone, maintain stock records, order from suppliers and support the workshop to ensure jobs have the correct components on time. This is a [CONTRACT TYPE] role offering [SALARY OR BENEFITS SUMMARY].
Key responsibilities
- Serve customers in-person and by telephone, identifying and sourcing the correct parts and accessories.
- Process orders and sales accurately using the parts management system and handle payments or invoicing.
- Maintain and control stock levels: receive deliveries, check goods, label and store items and update the inventory system.
- Liaise daily with service technicians and workshop managers to confirm parts needed for repair jobs and manage urgent requests.
- Place orders with suppliers, track lead times and chase outstanding items to meet workshop deadlines.
- Manage returns, warranty claims and credit notes in line with supplier terms.
- Prepare parts for collection or collection-by-courier and coordinate dispatch documentation.
- Keep parts counter and storeroom organised, ensuring health and safety and COSHH requirements are followed.
Essential skills and experience
- Practical experience working in an automotive parts department, motor trade or vehicle accessories retail.
- Good product knowledge of common vehicle parts, part numbering and the ability to identify parts from descriptions or VIN/registration.
- Competent numeracy and basic IT skills with experience using stock or parts management software.
- Strong customer service and clear verbal communication skills for dealing with retail and trade customers.
- Organisational skills with attention to accurate record-keeping and stock control.
- Ability to lift and move parts safely and work in a mixed office/warehouse environment.
Desirable
- Experience using manufacturer parts catalogues and OEM/aftermarket systems.
- Previous use of electronic parts ordering and workshop management systems.
- Knowledge of warranty and returns procedures within the motor trade.
- A full UK driving licence (useful for collections/deliveries).
- Basic understanding of vehicle mechanical systems or a relevant motor trade qualification.
What we offer
- [Competitive salary – enter range or 'competitive']
- [Bonus or commission structure – if applicable]
- [Private healthcare / pension contribution – employer to specify]
- [Paid training and product familiarisation]
- [Uniform or safety footwear allowance – if provided]
- [Holiday entitlement – employer to specify]
How to apply
Apply with your CV and any additional information requested. Make the interview process, closing date and any assessment stages clear where known.
Use this as a starting point rather than a final advert. The strongest version will reflect the real role, salary, location, systems, responsibilities, benefits and working arrangements.
What is a Parts Advisor role?
A Parts Advisor supports the service department and retail/customers by supplying the correct components and managing parts stock. The role combines customer-facing sales and administrative work — checking parts catalogues, placing orders, controlling inventory and coordinating with technicians so repair and maintenance work proceeds without delay.
Employment type
Typically full-time, permanent roles within dealerships, franchised workshops or independent garages.
Hours
Daytime and shift patterns are common; some employers offer weekend or split-shift rotas.
Work environment
Mixed counter, office and storeroom space with regular interaction with the workshop floor.
Key contacts
Daily contact with technicians, service advisors, suppliers and retail/trade customers.
Typical Parts Advisor responsibilities
Responsibilities should reflect the real scope of the vacancy rather than every task someone in this profession might ever complete.
Serve customers in-person
Serve customers in-person and by telephone, identifying and sourcing the correct parts and accessories.
Process orders
Process orders and sales accurately using the parts management system and handle payments or invoicing.
Maintain
Maintain and control stock levels: receive deliveries, check goods, label and store items and update the inventory system.
Liaise daily with service technicians
Liaise daily with service technicians and workshop managers to confirm parts needed for repair jobs and manage urgent requests.
Place orders with suppliers
Place orders with suppliers, track lead times and chase outstanding items to meet workshop deadlines.
Manage returns
Manage returns, warranty claims and credit notes in line with supplier terms.
Prepare parts for collection or
Prepare parts for collection or collection-by-courier and coordinate dispatch documentation.
Keep parts counter
Keep parts counter and storeroom organised, ensuring health and safety and COSHH requirements are followed.
Parts Advisor skills and experience to look for
Keep the essential list focused on what the person really needs to perform the role. Move useful-but-trainable experience into desirable criteria.
Usually worth prioritising
- Practical experience working in an automotive parts department, motor trade or vehicle accessories retail.
- Good product knowledge of common vehicle parts, part numbering and the ability to identify parts from descriptions or VIN/registration.
- Competent numeracy and basic IT skills with experience using stock or parts management software.
- Strong customer service and clear verbal communication skills for dealing with retail and trade customers.
- Organisational skills with attention to accurate record-keeping and stock control.
- Ability to lift and move parts safely and work in a mixed office/warehouse environment.
Useful where relevant
- Experience using manufacturer parts catalogues and OEM/aftermarket systems.
- Previous use of electronic parts ordering and workshop management systems.
- Knowledge of warranty and returns procedures within the motor trade.
- A full UK driving licence (useful for collections/deliveries).
- Basic understanding of vehicle mechanical systems or a relevant motor trade qualification.
See our guide to what to include in a job advert before publishing.
How to write a Parts Advisor job advert
Small role-specific details can make the advert much easier for suitable candidates to assess.
Be specific about stock systems
Name the parts catalogue or stock management system you use if it matters to the role; candidates with system experience are easier to onboard.
Clarify customer mix
State whether the role is retail-facing, trade-focused or a mix so applicants understand the sales and relationship expectations.
List physical and admin demands
Mention lifting requirements, expected paperwork (invoicing, returns) and any driving or collection duties so candidates self-assess suitability.
Outline progression and training
Say if you provide product training, manufacturer systems access or clear routes into supervisory roles to attract development-minded staff.
Parts Advisor salary considerations
Pay for Parts Advisors varies by employer and location. Rather than a single market figure, consider the factors below when setting a salary or band for this role.
depending on experience
- Use a genuine range
- Separate variable pay
- Avoid “competitive” alone
- Match salary to seniority
What Parts Advisor candidates will want to know
Practical details can influence whether a suitable candidate applies, even when the title and salary are attractive.
What is the expected salary or pay band?
Experienced candidates will want to know base pay, whether commission or bonuses apply, and how overtime is paid.
What are the working hours and shift patterns?
Clarify start/finish times, weekend rota, split shifts and any requirement for on-call or emergency cover.
Which parts systems and catalogues do you use?
Candidates with prior experience of specific software or OEM catalogues will want to know to judge fit and training needs.
Will I need to drive for collections or deliveries?
State whether a driving licence is required and if the employer provides a vehicle, fuel card or expenses.
What training and development is provided?
Include manufacturer training, system training and opportunities to progress into supervisory or parts management roles.
Are there physical demands or lifting requirements?
Be clear about regular lifting, use of trolleys or forklifts and any manual handling support or PPE provided.
Where to post a Parts Advisor job
Parts Advisor roles attract candidates from franchised dealerships, independent garages and parts retailers. For broad reach, advertise on national UK job boards and sector-specific automotive boards; also share via local community channels and trade forums. Use professional networks and manufacturer dealer groups when you need candidates with OEM system experience.
Related automotive job descriptions
Recruiting for a slightly different role? These templates may be a closer fit.
Parts Advisor job description FAQs
Do Parts Advisors need formal qualifications?
There is no single mandatory qualification. Employers typically value motor trade experience, parts system knowledge and relevant vocational training, though entry-level roles can suit candidates with strong retail or warehouse skills.
How should I assess parts candidates?
Ask about hands-on parts experience, ability to read part numbers/catalogues, examples of stock control tasks, customer service scenarios and familiarity with any systems you use. A short practical task on order processing can be helpful.
Is a driving licence required?
A driving licence is useful for collection or delivery duties but is not universally essential. Only list it as essential if the role requires regular driving and you provide a vehicle or mileage reimbursement.
Where will this job reach suitable candidates?
Post on mainstream UK job boards plus specialist motor trade sites, local classifieds for garage staff, and share in franchise or manufacturer dealer groups to reach candidates with OEM experience.
How do I make the advert stand out?
Be clear about the customer mix (trade vs retail), systems used, shift patterns and development opportunities. Highlight any manufacturer training access or bonus schemes that make the role more attractive.
Ready to hire a Parts Advisor?
Use this template to create a clear vacancy listing, specify your location, hours and package, and advertise across general and motor-specific channels to reach the right candidates.
