It can be difficult to settle into a great career. Without spending time in the role, choosing your next job can sometimes feel like a gamble.
A career as a parts specialist can be great; it’s fulfilling and important work.
However, these roles aren’t necessarily perfect for everyone, so it’s a good idea to do some research before applying to become one.
I’ve been with RDO Equipment Co. in the parts department for over 15 years. For me, a career in parts has been a great fit. Could it be the same for you?
In this article, I'll tell you more about what it’s like to work in parts at RDO to give you a better understanding of what to expect.
What Are My Main Responsibilities?
As a Parts Specialist - Level 3 at RDO in Burnsville, MN, I am involved in many different things every day.
My team (which is five people strong) focuses on providing parts and service to customers who own Vermeer equipment.
While RDO deals equipment from many manufacturers, including John Deere Wertgen Group, Topcon and Wingtra, my primary focus is Vermeer Parts.
Each person on the parts team has responsibilities — some overlap between us, and some don’t.
I primarily focus on the parts from RDO’s short-line vendors (like Banjo), but also assist across our parts inventory.
On a typical day, I might do 10 or more different things as a member of this parts team.
The majority of my time, I could say, is spent behind our parts counter, helping customers both in person and over the phone.
When I’m not directly communicating with and helping customers, I’m also responsible for:
- Monitoring parts inventories within our store
- Ordering more parts when inventories reach certain thresholds
- Organizing our showroom and parts counter
- Helping with shipping and receiving of stock orders.
- Helping with parts organization
- Ensuring the service teams have all of the parts they need and providing estimates for when requested parts will arrive
- Answering questions from my colleagues
- Helping salespeople with the quotes they’re preparing (sometimes they want to know what it would cost to include additional parts with a machine)
- Collaborating with others
Additionally, on any given day, I might attend internal meetings with my department or others, participate in parts training, work with our field support team or have a 1:1 with my manager.
What Do I Enjoy Most About This Role?
I like a lot about my job, that’s what has kept me in the parts world for more than 15 years, after all.
Most of all, I enjoy the relationships I’ve developed with customers over the years.
Working with my customers is excellent. By providing quality service, going out of my way to solve their problems and being friendly, I’ve developed some great connections.
At this point, some customers will come into the Burnsville store and ask for me by name. If you like making connections and being the go-to resource for people, you’ll enjoy a parts career.
Another thing I enjoy is the variety in my work.
RDO parts specialists are responsible for many different things, which means no two days are the same. This keeps every day exciting when I get to work and have a new problem to solve or task to complete.
If you’re worried about starting in this role and not being challenged or interested in the work, don’t be. Not only will your first year be engaging and fast-paced as you learn the ropes, but things will be different daily.
The final thing I’ll say I enjoy is the freedom I’m given in doing my job.
There are multiple ways to get something done in this career. My job is to create systems and do work that makes our parts department more profitable. This gives me the freedom to suggest and implement changes that help RDO, which is fulfilling.
Related Article: 7 Common Challenges a Parts Specialist May Encounter on the Job (+ How To Overcome Them)
What Skills Have Made Me Successful?
Over my years in parts at RDO, I’ve developed and refined many skills. I’m proud of the growth I’ve experienced in my career.
Here are some of the skills I feel have made me successful, including why they matter:
Customer service skills: The majority of your time as a parts specialist is spent interacting with customers. Good interpersonal and customer service skills help us create value for them (and keep them coming back).
Good memorization skills: It’s important to be on the ball in this role — the parts role is complex. Having a good memory for parts and numbers has helped me answer questions and help customers quickly.
Analytics skills: Parts specialists are analytical every day. Whether it’s analyzing parts data or something else, having an analytical mind will help you be successful.
Communication skills: You have to be able to communicate with people in this role. Whether it’s through email, over the phone or in-person, good communication skills will impact your success.
Being successful as a parts specialist is also about work ethic. If you show up and work hard every day, you’ll make a difference and drive your parts career forward at RDO.
What is the RDO Parts Career Path Like?
A big selling point of working at RDO is the career path they offer parts specialists. Through this program, you can progress your career and earnings by moving from level one to level two and so on.
Personally, I like this program. It provides a roadmap for growing your career. It also gives you control over your progression by telling you what you need to do (how you need to perform, what training you need to take, etc.) to move up in level.
Although it does take time, this is a unique program that many people, myself included, enjoy.
Is a Parts Job at RDO Right For You? Find Out.
If you’re a passionate problem solver who wants to start a stable career where you can progress, a parts career at RDO could be right for you.
Now you know what my experience has been and what I’ve enjoyed most. It’s been a good fit for my personality, skillset and goals.
Read A Day in the Life of a Parts Specialist at RDO Equipment Co. for another perspective.
Also, in this video, Amanda answers the most common questions we get about the parts careers at RDO.
After you’ve taken those next steps, find an opening in your area here.
If you have any questions or want to learn more about a particular position, you can get in touch with a member of our recruiting team here. We’re happy to help you on your journey to building a career you’re proud of.
Katie Davis
Katie started with RDO on our shipping/receiving team in 2005 before transitioning into a role on our parts team about two years later. Today, after more than a decade of impact, Katie is a Parts Specialist—Level 3. In her role, Katie is dedicated to helping her customers succeed by ensuring their needs are met. She is known for going above and beyond for her customers and helping her team be successful.
