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7 Common Challenges a Parts Specialist May Encounter on the Job (+ How to Overcome Them)

7 Common Challenges a Parts Specialist May Encounter on the Job (+ How to Overcome Them)

2 Oct 2024 Author: Josh Wynn

Every job has its advantages, things that make it worthwhile and fulfilling. These keep you coming back every day, excited about what each will bring.

On the other hand, every job also has challenges to overcome. For many, these can make the role more enjoyable, creating opportunities to test their boundaries and learn new skills. 

The parts specialist job is like others in that it has challenges and benefits. 

Whether it's in the automotive or heavy equipment industry, working in parts provides a great career path full of advancement opportunities and income potential. 

At RDO Equipment Co., our parts specialists — working from more than 80 locations in the U.S. — impact all aspects of our business. Learn more about what it’s like to work in parts at RDO

Over the years, we’ve seen firsthand that although there are many advantages to working in a parts department, there are also some realities of these roles you’ll want to be aware of when deciding whether this is the right career path for you. 

In this article, you’ll learn more about seven common challenges a parts specialist may encounter on the job.

Challenge #1) Understanding Parts and Terminology

The parts world is vast. Though the kinds of parts you’ll be supplying will change depending on whether your store supplies automotive or heavy equipment parts and what manufacturer(s) it deals with, you’ll need to learn a lot as a parts professional. 

Parts specialists may handle, catalog, sell and restock anything from fluids/lubricants and lights to filters, harnesses, hoses and everything in between. 

There are thousands of different parts on the market, and you may work with many. This can be a challenge, especially when you start out. 

How to Overcome This Challenge

Choose a company that has a good history of onboarding and retaining parts specialists. Ask questions about your onboarding when interviewing for a new job. 

Finally, when you start as a parts professional, spend a good amount of time learning business systems and finding a mentor to ask questions of.

parts specialist reading parts order in warehouse

Challenge #2) Working With Difficult Customers

Any time you’re in a customer-facing role, you’re going to encounter some difficult people to work with. This is true in the parts world — particularly for those roles where you’re working with customers to give them parts/components over the counter. 

People looking to fix their equipment or replace parts can sometimes be frustrated — particularly when their situation affects their business. As a parts professional, it’s your job to answer questions and troubleshoot with all customers. 

How to Overcome This Challenge

Try not to take these things personally — it never is. Instead, try your best to get ahead of difficult conversations and practice responding in these situations. Lean on your manager and another senior member of your team for support in these situations. Role-playing is another great way to make sure you’re prepared for frustrated customers. 

Challenge #3) Working With a Variety of Stakeholders

As a parts specialist, you’ll work with all kinds of people who have different interests. 

Of course, this depends on the company you work for and their model. However, you should expect to work alongside salespeople, mechanics, vendors, customers and a mix of other coworkers every day

While this makes the job exciting for some, this can be stressful as you try to balance the needs of each group of people who rely on you for assistance. 

How to Overcome This Challenge

Overcome this challenge by asking for help when you need it. It’s really that simple, there are always going to be other people around you and many of them have been in your shoes before. Ask them how they like to prioritize their work, who to go to for solving what issues and how they would tackle certain situations. Being organized and building relationships with a few of these stakeholders will also help. 

parts specialist at counter helping customer

Challenge #4) Competing Deadlines 

Deadlines can cause stress. As a parts specialist, you will face a lot of them. This could mean working with multiple customers at the counter who all need different things, getting parts ordered from vendors on time or conducting inventory regularly

How to Overcome This Challenge

Overcome this challenge with solid organizational and time management skills. As you get further along in your role, you’ll get better and better at managing your time. 

When you first start, however, ask the experienced members of your department if they have any time management tips and what systems they use to keep up with frequent deadlines.

Challenge #5) A Lot of Moving Pieces Every Day

Another challenge you could experience as a parts specialist is all of the moving pieces every day. There’s a lot on a part professional’s docket — especially those who work in a more complex organization (like a machinery dealership). 

Working with external and internal stakeholders to manage orders, fulfill inventories, distribute parts, catalog work and collaborate to drive the business forward are all things you’ll be doing. 

Keeping up can be a challenge. 

How to Overcome This Challenge

After a while, this should get easier. As a new parts specialist settles into their job and gets better at keeping up with the demand(s) of their job, overcoming this challenge will come naturally. 

parts person looking at parts next to warehouse shelf

Challenge #6) Occasional Schedule Unpredictability 

Schedule unpredictability can sometimes exist in these roles. This is driven by how busy the location you’re working at is

Some of this stems from seasonality — at busier times of year, you’ll have more work to do and more opportunities for overtime. 

However, expect to work regular overtime at some points in the year and 40 hours at others. 

How to Overcome This Challenge

Go into the role with a solid expectation for what kind of hours you’ll be working. Ask about how much overtime is typically available/required and how this changes based on the time of year

Challenge #7) Systems and Vendors Can be Challenging to Work With

Finally, as a parts specialist, you’ll coordinate with all kinds of vendors using different systems to do so. This can be challenging as many vendors will have unique processes, systems and procedures. In the end, this can create headaches as you coordinate with each of them to replenish inventories and meet deadlines.

How to Overcome This Challenge

Once again, lean on your manager and other members of the parts department. They are there to support you. They will help you through any issues you have working with vendors.

Parts Specialist Job Openings RDO Equipment Co.

There are a lot of great things about being a parts specialist. In particular, these team members get to work right alongside customers and internal stakeholders to solve meaningful problems.

Beyond this, it’s not uncommon for parts specialists to get regular overtime and earn a competitive living — there’s even a really good career path in this field. 

Here at RDO, our parts team members receive a lot of support and great benefits. This includes quarterly profit sharing, comprehensive benefits and ongoing training through our career path levels program. 

Learn more about our parts careers and find an open position today

Questions? Reach out to an RDO representative for more information on careers.

Josh Wynn

Josh started with RDO Equipment Co. in 2015 when he joined the team as a parts specialist in Fergus Falls, MN. After a successful seven years in this role, Josh transitioned to the position of parts manager where he leads a team of parts professionals as they strive to provide industry-leading solutions and service to every RDO customer. Josh is a people person who enjoys developing his people and problem solving alongside customers.

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